Choctawhatchee chapter meeting
Details
Join our chapter of Florida Trail members at the Blue Tee in Niceville, Fl for the monthly meeting. A full service restaurant is available for food and drink. The regular meeting will focus on recap of the IDAH26. Hope to see you there. Guest are welcome.
James Wilson
Chapter Meeting Minutes (01/28/2026)
Location: The Blue Tee
2000 Bluewater Blvd
Niceville, FL 32578
Chapter Chair: Jim Wilson
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:25p, meeting included 22 attendees in person, no ZOOM offered. Officers present: Chair, Jim W.; Vice Chair, Alvin B.; Secretary, Charlie K.
Welcome/Introduction/Event Summary/Announcements –
· Chair inquired, but no new members/attendees present;
· Treasurer report (Richard K.) emailed in, current balance - $3,096.33.
· Chapter Meeting Minutes – no December meeting/no minutes.
· Chair, Jim W. recognized a “Shout Out” to Richard K. for The Blue Tee recommendation.
· Guest Speaker – Jim W. introduced Mike Thomin, Director of Education and Interpretation at the Florida Public Archaeology Network’s Coordination Center and a Faculty Senior research Associate at UWF:
o Background – Nearly two decade career as a museum professional, specializing in public archaeology, heritage preservation, and nonprofit management, working with local, state, Federal and international agencies and partners on heritage projects. He is also a Florida Master Naturalist;
o Spoke to “A Tale of Moonshine?”, an ongoing investigative research effort to find and identify a fortification, Fort Kirkland, in Okaloosa County, north of Crestview, referenced in correspondence and military records from the Second Seminole War, during the period of 1835-1842;
o A copy of Mike’s presentation is available.
TRAIL REPORTS:
· Eglin (Keith L.) – 5 miles maintenance remain; permitting rules, some problems;
· Nokuse (Tom D.) – IDAH26 focus; will develop 4 hike maps with geo-pdf’s and Avensa interface;
· CRS (Jim W.) – CRS trails mowed, but focus is on IDAH26.
IDIDAHIKE 2026 UPDATE (Jim W.):
- As of the Chapter Meeting, IDAH26 had a paid-in registration of 122 with revenue of $13,077.20.
FTA:
· Jim W. made the FTA Board of Directors Meeting presentation available;–
· Current FTA Executive Director will assume a new role of funding – February timing, with new Executive Director assuming role 23 Feb;
· FTA Awards 2025 – Keith L., James P., Jim W.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:
- Hike in Alabama (0411).
ONGOING ISSUE – Chapter Sustainability:
· Publication and Marketing;
· Need for Events.
MEMBERSHIP ( Vicki V.):
- 70 Current Members, 32 expired memberships.
NEXT CHAPTER MEETING – Feb 25th, The Blue Tee, Niceville.
Moved and seconded to adjourn 7:43pm.
Charles King, secretary