President's Trailhead- November 2025 by Wayne Gross

Dear Hiker,

Thank you for your continued support in furthering our mission to provide, preserve, protect, and promote recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities across Pennsylvania.

I hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy the stunning fall colors on our state’s many trails—especially those who joined us for KTA’s Keystone Hiking & Outdoor Weekend in the PA Wilds. Perhaps you even spotted an elk! A heartfelt thank-you to our dedicated staff for the many hours of planning that made the weekend and its programming a success.

During the weekend, the KTA Council met to approve the 2025–2026 budget and elect new leadership:

Board of Directors
Elected for a three-year term beginning November 1:
• Trish Turo and George Conrad – First term
• Linda Enders-Roxberry and Shira Blady – Second term
• Karen Lutz – Third term
• Ben Cramer – Completing the remaining two-year term of Cyril Quatrone

This brings our Board to a total of 14 members.

2025–2026 Officers
• President: Wayne Gross
• Vice President: Karen Lutz
• Secretary: Ben Cramer
• Treasurer: Anthony Vigliano

2025–2027 Representatives-at-Large (12)
Joyce Appel, Katie Barker, Chris Brubaker, Al Chapacharis, Polly Chatterton, Jane Huston, Joe Kiczek, Ted Ligenza, Rich Odenweiler, Cyril Quatrone, Tony Robbins, and Donna Thompson.

Thank you to all for your leadership and service. Special appreciation to Nominating Committee Chair Katie Barker, Wanda Shirk, and committee members for their work in developing this year’s slate of nominees.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 6:
KTA Pennsylvania Hiking Awards Celebration at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art.

This event celebrates the accomplishments of hikers, clubs, and organizations from across the Commonwealth. Awards will include:

• Certificates of Achievement
• Volunteer of the Year
• Leave No Trace Award
• Club of the Year
• KTA Citation Award for Lifetime Achievement

We will also recognize Keystone Trails Endowment donors and our incredible Trail Care volunteers. Please help spread the word, bring friends and family, and visit our website to register.

And looking ahead, May 1–3, 2026: Spring KTA Hiking Weekend in the Laurel Highlands. We hope to see you there!

As we approach year-end, please consider a contribution to the Keystone Trails Endowment Fund to help ensure a lasting legacy for Pennsylvania’s trails. Details are available on our website.

Finally, KTA is beginning the search for a new Executive Director, with the position posted as we prepare for Brook’s planned retirement in February 2026. Please share the announcement widely to help us identify exceptional candidates.

Thank you for your commitment to the trails and the people who wander them.

With gratitude,
Wayne E. Gross
President, Board of Directors
Keystone Trails Association
The statewide voice of Pennsylvania hikers