AMC Western MA 2025 Annual Meeting

On Saturday, October 25, over 65 attendees celebrated a fantastic year with AMC Western MA. Members enjoyed a light buffet, social time, and informative presentations at the Polish American Citizens Club in South Deerfield, MA. Kathy Martin, Chapter Chair, provided the Chapter Year in Review. She thanked our exceptional leaders for planning and executing memorable activities and programs to connect members with the outdoors. Kathy Kindness, Chapter Membership Chair, recognized three 50-year members and 23 25-year members for their long-term commitment to AMC. After receiving their 25-year pins, Lorraine Mangione and Jim Schumacher shared photos of family trips to the AMC huts over 30 years! This was truly a testament to how AMC facilitates lifelong bonds and creates memories. Jon Cocina, Director of Membership for AMC, lauded the chapter for planning 237 activities for 1,492 participants so far in 2025. He noted AMC staff were particularly impressed with the 20s/30s group, stating "this emerging group is known as being passionate, collaborative, community-centric, and has created impressive goals and action plans for 2026." Jon praised the NET committee for their year-round commitment to making trails safe and accessible, and applauded Western MA activities such as Women's Weekend. He noted that the Executive Committee created achievable goals for 2026, with good plans to reach them. His presentation continued with AMC's club-wide initiatives to grow membership and engage people with the outdoors, including the AMC 150 anniversary relay from Virginia to Maine. He noted that AMC Western MA took the lead in adopting relay sections and activities in honor of AMC's big bash. Our first local speaker was Jim Pelletier, Western MA's A.T. Committee Naturalist. In "Wildlife of Berkshire County", Jim noted that wildlife transect data show bears, rattlesnakes, beavers, moose, and even fishers spotted on or near western MA trails. He also reported evidence of invasive species, including the Emerald Ash Borer. His informative (and sometimes humorous) videos captured bears, deer, and other animals enjoying the trails — or the trees for a good back scratch. On a more serious note, Jim highlighted the ongoing study of A.T. foot traffic (over) and wildlife crossings (over and sometimes on) the Mass Pike near Becket, MA. Danielle Rich, Mountaineering Co-Chair and licensed clinical social worker, provided an exceptional overview of prevalent mental health concerns in western MA. She also discussed scientific research confirming the beneficial effects of outdoor activity on mental health and on making social connections. In addition, Danielle spearheaded the collection of coats and other winter gear to be donated to the unhoused in western MA. Hopefully, the coat drive initiative can become a regular part of the annual meeting. The meeting concluded with several items of business: recognition of the 2025 Executive Committee, welcoming new leaders, celebrating the Most Valuable Committee Members, thanking NET adopters, and honoring the Appie of the Year. The Appie of the Year award was presented to Janine Papesh, the outgoing Bicycling Chair. More on this well-deserved award in a separate post. Kayla Crowe, Training and Education Chair, and Hew Hart, 20s/30s Chair, handed out the Most Valuable Committee Member Awards to the following committee members:

• 20s/30s: Kevin Morgan-Rothschild
  
• A.T. Management: Gary Adamson
• Bicycling: Robyn Maislin
• Communications: Lisa Taylor
• Family Programs: Dawne Piers-Gamble
• Hiking: Margot Lacey
• Mountaineering: Danielle Rich
• NET Management: Patrick Henry
• Paddling: Ann Gillard
• Training and Education: Hew Hart

Those assembled approved the 2026 Executive Committee Members. Officers

• Chair: Kathy Martin
• Vice Chair: Vacant
• Treasurers: Deb Weisenstein/Warren Buhl
• Secretary: Mary Hogan

Standing Committees

• 20s/30s: Hew Hart
• A.T. Management: Russ Skelton
• Bicycling: Robyn Maislin
• Communications: Jeannette Pierce
• Community Engagement: Dawne Piers-Gamble
• Conservation: Vacant
• Family Programs: Laura Stinnette
• Hiking: Mike April
• Membership: Kathy Kindness
• Mountaineering: Chris Neil/Danielle Rich
• NET Management: Vacant
• Paddling: Deb Weisenstein/Bonna Wieler
• Training and Education: Kayla Crowe
• Member at Large: John Adams
• Member at Large: Kim Carlino
• Webmaster: Lisa Taylor
• Past Chair: Diane Jones

We are supremely grateful for all the volunteers - activity leaders, trail maintainers, and Executive Committee Members - who make the Chapter what it is! And much gratitude goes out to Kathy Kindness, Membership Chair, for the many of hours of time spent planning this wonderful event! View more photos on our Facebook page.