Congratulations to our May Volunteer of the Month, Erin Pons! Erin is a proud mom of two girls, ages four and two, and married for six years to her training inspiration, Jamie. They love calling Ann Arbor home. She works on a flexible schedule as an IT Audit Manager at PwC, which allows her to wear lots of hats: mom, wife, and triathlete in training.
As a long time board member of the Ann Arbor Triathlon Club, Erin became involved with HWPI at the start of the Karen’s Trail campaign. Although she did not know Karen personally, she felt it was an important cause to get behind.
The Ann Arbor Triathlon Club has partnered with Karen’s Trail on many events, including online fundraising campaigns, trail education and awareness, social events, training rides and runs, all in the spirit of promoting the importance of creating a safer place for our families and friends to pursue their outdoor passions. Erin has played an important role in the partnership between the Triathlon Club and HWPI, by helping to organize fundraising events, advocating for HWPI and support of our mission.
When asked why she volunteers with HWPI, Erin said, “I am always amazed and motivated by the broad reach and impact that HWPI has on our community, and also at the progress made in such a short amount of time. Trail and road safety is a legacy we can leave behind for generations to come. The people I have met and worked with along the way have made a lasting impression on me.”
Erin believes that the B2B is an important resource for our community because it is a place where we can feel safe to explore, enjoy the outdoors, and stay healthy. A trail system like the B2B is something everyone can take advantage of. Thank you Erin for your tremendous support of our work!
Border-to-Border Trail Development Continues
BY HWPI StaffApril 30, 2019
Construction is underway on the path from the City of Chelsea toward Dexter.
Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail development continues at a rapid pace with construction underway on the path from the City of Chelsea toward Dexter. This 2.1 mile segment beginning at Freer Road and ending at Lima Center Road is targeted for completion this summer. It is just one of many active B2B projects led by the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commissionwith support from many organizations including the Washtenaw County Road Commission, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 5 Healthy Towns Foundation and the City of Chelsea. Critical private sector funding and support has come from the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative and many local businesses and individuals.
This collaborative community effort will provide safe recreational paths and commuter routes as cities, towns and parks are connected by the B2B. For more information please go to: https://www.washtenaw.org/334/Border-to-Border-Trail
Photo: B2B Groundbreaking Dexter-Chelsea Road – from left to right: John Mann (Chelsea State Bank), Peter Sanderson (WCPARC), Lew Kidder (HWPI), Amy Heydlauff (5 Healthy Towns), Coy Vaughn (WCPARC), John Hanifan (City of Chelsea), Rob Mahan (HWPI), Jeff Hardcastle (HWPI), Roy Townsend (WCPARC), Matt Pegouskie (5 Healthy Towns).
HWPI Volunteer Spotlight: Catherine Juon
BY HWPI Staff
Catherine on Karen McKeachie’s bike at the Minneapolis Women’s YWCA Triathlon.
We are excited to introduce our April volunteer of the month, Catherine Juon! Catherine is a very active trail user and avid triathlete who enjoys competing and traveling with friends to races. Catherine caught the triathlon bug in 2012 when she traveled with her training partners, including Karen McKeachie, to the Louisville Ironman. While she did not compete in the 2012 event, she will be racing the Louisville Ironman this year and is using it as a platform to fundraise for Karen’s Trail.
Catherine’s involvement with HWPI also began because of her relationship with her mentor and friend, Karen McKeachie. Catherine explains, “After Karen’s death, I really wanted to find a way to honor what she had done for me, and to do something to help create a safer environment for my friends and family who cycle.”
Serving as a board member, volunteering at events, and advising on our IT and social media strategy are a few of the many ways Catherine contributes to HWPI. In addition, she has opened her office space at Traction Training Center to host meetings for the HWPI board and staff. Beyond her HWPI involvement, Catherine is a professional EOS Implementer. She lives in Saline with her husband and two sons.
Thank you, Catherine, for your enthusiasm and dedication to HWPI. Your support propels us toward success in achieving the “audacious” goals that take us ever closer toward completing the Border-to-Border Trail.
HWPI Volunteer Spotlight: Charlie Borgsdorf
BY HWPI StaffApril 9, 2019
Charlie Borgsdorf
We are honored to introduce our March volunteer of the month, Charlie Borgsdorf. Charlie has been involved with HWPI since 2017, when he was asked by his friend, Lew Kidder, to support HWPI to help to finish the Border-to-Border Trail and to honor Karen McKeachie’s remarkable legacy.
Charlie is an attorney with Hooper Hathaway. His primary areas of practice are business and commercial law. He lives in Ann Arbor with his wife Linda. Both are very active, enjoy spending time in nature and world travel.
Charlie serves on the HWPI board and provides legal counsel. He has provided valuable assistance by revising the Articles of Incorporation, developing the bylaws, completing the application for tax exempt status, and addressing any legal questions that arise. Recently, he has also been helping to get the Bandemer Tunnel / Barton Pathway underway. He has assisted by contacting elected officials, reviewing City financial documents and working with people at the City of Ann Arbor Parks Advisory Commission and the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. Charlie is an amazing B2B advocate. We are incredibly fortunate to have his help and support.
According to Charlie, “I’m committed to the expansion of non-motorized pathways as a means to provide safe ways for pedestrians, bicyclists, runners, people with disabilities and others to explore the county and experience the out-of-doors. The B2B will bring the various communities in the county together and provide economic benefits to them all.”
Thank you, Charlie, for your leadership in our community!
Dogs of the B2B
BY HWPI StaffMarch 28, 2019
Your dog could be featured on our new social media series, “Dogs of the B2B Trail!” This series will highlight our furry friends and their love for exploring the B2B. People with dogs are 40% more likely to take walks than those without.
