The Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails (FMCPT) is rolling into 2014 with a variety of activities. The group’s primary function is to help maintain and improve the portion of the Ohio To Erie Trail that runs through Madison County. The trail is open to cyclists, walkers, joggers, inline skaters and cross country skiers. For more information about this non-profit, all-volunteer organization, go to www.fmcpt.com or send email to fmcpt@columbus.rr.com.
• Membership drive: To become a member, go to fmcpt.com and download a membership form. Fees are: $10, annual individual membership; $200, lifetime individual membership; $20, annual family membership; $50 and more, annual sponsor membership.
• Annual members meeting: 7 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Madison County Senior Center, 280 W. High St., London.
Andy Niekamp (“Captain Blue”) will be the featured speaker. In the spring of 2013, Niekamp hiked the entire 325-mile length of the Ohio To Erie Trail, from the Ohio River in Cincinnati to Lake Erie in Cleveland. His goal was to demonstrate that Ohio’s bikeways can be hiked, too.
• Pancake breakfast and silent auction: FMCPT and the Madison County Senior Center will hold a silent auction and all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Feb. 8 at the senior center, 280 W. High St. The cost of the breakfast is $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and younger.
• Bluebird House Contest: Make and decorate a bluebird house. Winning entries will be placed along the bike path in Madison County for one season. Entries must comply with Bluebird Society Standards, which can be found at nabluebirdsociety.org/bluebirdfacts.htm. Houses should be easy to open. They will be judged on originality, local theme, aesthetics and craftsmanship.
Entries must be dropped off at Sheffield Veterinary Hospital, 221 Lafayette St., London, by Feb. 6. Judging will take place at the Feb. 8 pancake breakfast. Go to fmcpt.com for details.
