Hikers Announce Winter Schedule

Newtown Hikers is an open group welcoming anyone interested in hiking and the outdoors. The group hosts hikes each weekend during a season, meeting and then departing from the rear parking lot of Edmond Town Hall.

Hikes, unless stated otherwise, start at 10 am. There is no membership fee. The group occasionally visits a restaurant after a hike and in those cases hikers are responsible for their own bills.

Hikers participate at their own risk and must sign a release for the Newtown Parks and Recreation Department. To meet the group at a different point, call the listed hike leader.

All hikes are moderate and last three to five hours plus driving time unless otherwise stated. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by adults. Bring lunch and beverages.

Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Dress for the weather.

For further information contact Ester Nichols at 203-788-1398 or Pilgrim555@charter.net, or Newtown Parks & Rec at 270-4340.

Always check with the listed leader of each hike for weather cancellations and/or schedule changes.

The winter 2008 schedule and hike leaders is as follows:

January 5, #4 Lakes Trails, Oxford (leader Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025);

January 12, White Memorial (Len Patti, 426-3632);

January 19, Compo Beach, Westport (Diane Pielcuski, 203-240-2061);

January 26, Bear Mountain Reservoir Trail, Danbury (Molly Schleiss, 914-766-4546);

February 2, Bee Brook, Washington (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025);

February 9, Huntington State Park (Len Patti, 426-3632);

February 16, Trolley Trail, Woodbury (Ildiko Gramling, 263-0086);

February 23, rail trail, Monroe — walk, snow shoe, or cross country ski, depending on weather and conditions (Rita Qubick, 268-4119);

March 1, Stratford rail trail (Morie Colburn, 203-888-3046);

March 8, Muskoot Farm Trail, Somers, N.Y. (Jim Steck, 845-621-5559);

March 15, Old Quarry Nature Center, Danbury (Michael Cianciolo, 203-830-9434);

March 22, Kettletown State Park, Southbury (Pat Callan, 264-2153);

March 29, Pequonnock Valley Trail, Trumbull, short hike followed by spring hike scheduling and pot luck lunch (hike leader is Rita Qubick, 268-4119; call Liz Schulz for food coordination, 203-260-9119).