Special Interest

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

By Carolyn Witt

Chautauqua Rails-To-Trails would like to tip their hats this issue to long-time volunteers Dick and Alice Rockwell of Mayville.

No job is too big or too dirty for the husband and wife team who have been tireless volunteers since joining the CRT family six years ago. They have trimmed brush, installed drainpipes, brushogged, picked up tires and hauled dirt to help maintain our trail network from one end of the county to the other. According to CRT Manager Jim Fincher, the Rockwells truly embody the spirit of volunteerism and the ideals that CRT was founded upon.

"We really appreciate all that they have done," said Fincher. "We would not be anywhere near where we are now without them."

Alice Rockwell said she just enjoys doing outside work and spending time with her husband. She said volunteering for CRT has been a great experience for the duo because they like to stay active while enjoying the health benefits of a rigorous outdoor lifestyle.

"We are retired," Mrs. Rockwell said. "This gives us both something to do. We like trimming brush and standing back when we are finished to enjoy a job well done. It gives us a lot of satisfaction."

With his wife helping out on the trails, Dick Rockwell admits to helping Alice with some of the housework at home. He said he does not mind. However, this half of the volunteer team made it clear he does not do windows.

"I suppose I knew that she was an outdoors kind of a girl when we got married," Mr. Rockwell said. "We like to help keep things in order. The trails are something everyone can enjoy no matter what you like to do. We get a lot of satisfaction out of that."

Mr. Rockwell said the mission of CRT becomes more important every year as less and less land becomes available for public use. He said whether you hike, bike, snowmobile or ride horses, there are now fewer places to do it. The volunteer said preserving green space for recreational purposes for future generations to enjoy is important. He said he is proud to be a part of the CRT family.

Eagle Scout Proect
On The Sherman Trail

Eagle candidate MARK MARCELLO, of Troop 137 in Bemus Point, completed his Eagle Project on the Village of Sherman trail. He researched, collected wood, constructed and installed a dozen bird nesting boxes along the trail. He built nesting boxes for barred owls, flickers and screech owls, and for birds of that size. Mark is now a freshman at the Rochester Institute of Technology, studying in information technology.

Thank you, Mark, and Troop 137.

Left to rigt in Photo:Scout John-Henry Johnson, Mark Marcello, Scoutmaster
Marty Liliestedt and Trail Manager Jim Fincher

If you'd like to volunteer your time to work on the trails, please contact Jim at the office, phone 269-3666, or even better, e-mail him at crtt@cecomet.net He'll be happy to notify you of work parties by e-mail.