To the Editor
On the trail

The ValleyRiver Trails Committee of the Andrews Initiative and The Town of Andrews are pleased to have an exciting updates to our request for contributions that were made in April 2005.

The trail around the Hugh Rayburn Ball field Complex has been paved and ready for your walking pleasure. We recieved $10,800 of the $50,000 Parks and Recreation Division Grant we were seeking, and your contributions, and response to benefits came to over $14,000, plus donated work; with more than 10 of you contributing as Marathoners (over $500.) The 10 foot-wide trail is almost one-half mile long Tatham Creek, the Railroad, and Robbinsville Road. The loop is made by walking the sidewalk back to start. There are beautiful views of the creek, a relaxed atmosphere, spaces for exercising, and great all-round views of the mountains. As soon as we have a landscape plan in place, the Master Gardeners have offered to help plant. We continue to need funds for landscaping, side dressing, markings, sinage, handicap fishing pier, picnic tables and seating. Of course we are also asking for your help to do some fun.

Concurrent with this trail effort and while pursuing trail easements along Valley River, Cherokee County, with the help of a NC Clean Water Management Trust grant purchased a tract of 32 acres known as the Salman property that lies between the Valley River and the Andrews Recreation Park. A grant has been recieved from the Blude Ridge National Heritage Area of over $20,000 to grade and purchase gravel for this trail. A previous grant of $30,000 has been recieved by the Town of Andrews from Outboard Marine Corporation for this trail segment. Also, the Hiwassee River Coalition has completed their stream bank restoration project along Town Branch to the edge of the city property. This enables us to start grading and graveling the trail along Town Branch and Valley River. We will continue to seek easements along the River to make the connection to Hugh Rayburn Ball Complex.

A companion project, the Marble Springs Outdoor Education Complex, has begun with clearing of the spring and property donation by State Representative Roger West. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Department is developing a children's fishing area and trail along the Hyatt Creek and Valley River upstream on the landfill property. The connection of the trail from Hugh Rayburn Ball Complex via the Recreation Park to the Marble School needs only the spaces filled to make dreams a reality. This trail will not only provide an environmentally positive and beautifying effect in our valley, but also provide a healthy opportunity to enjoy our streams and beautiful mountain views.

We wish to remind you that the Andrews-Valley Initiative has taxfree status as a 501 (c) (3) organization so you will be able to deduct your contribution.

Donors are honored as follows:

Stroller up to $50, Walker up to $100, Strider $300, Trekker up to $500 and a Marathoner over $500.

We want to again thank everyone who has already given. Please take this opportunity to provide a significant contribution, upgrade your donor status, and improve your health and well being by walking the trail portion that is complete. You may send your contribution to the Andrews -Valley Initiative Trail, P.O. Box 868, Andrews, NC 28901.

Or you may call Jerry Pullium at 321-1017 or Beth Hay at 321-3496 to become an active member of the Valley River Trails committee or a volunteer worker. Thank you for the help!

Sincerely, Johnny R. Brown, Mayor Town of Andrews