Beginning at Springer Mountain in Georgia, the Appalachian Trail wends its way for 2181 miles northward through 14 states, including Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire, before ending at Maine’s Mt. Katahdin. And the most challenging part is the Hundred-Mile Wilderness, running from the base of Mt. Katahdin south to Caratunk (population 100). Normally a 10-day trek during the summer, a hiker might be branded certifiable if he attempted to traverse it in just five days during early winter.

Addressing a large crowd of 79 Y’s Men of Meriden on January 24, Steve Lazarus, partner in the Wallingford architectural firm of Lazarus & Sargeant, noted during his PowerPoint presentation that his 21-year-old son had asked his dad to join him in hiking the Trail; Lazarus consented and after several weeks of preparation, the two launched their journey in Georgia. Interest soon faded in the son but not in the father. Some six years later, the 60-year-old Lazarus has now walked all but 200 miles of the Trail, doing it in small segments of several days each.

Just two months ago, he successfully completed a snowy 5-day November hike of the Hundred-Mile Wilderness, at first beset by authorities refusing to allow anyone to hike that difficult trail alone at that time of year. Other challenges included fording a dozen rushing streams with icy banks (on one occasion suddenly finding himself in chest-level frigid water), coming around a bend in the trail and being confronted by two grumpy moose, and solitude for the entire trip (except for briefly spotting a group of three other hikers). The shortened November days required some hiking in the dark.

At 3600 feet, the highest part of this trail, the howling wind blew off his eyeglasses, and the white blazes often led Lazarus over challenging rock formations, sometimes slippery with new snow. But this trail also carried him through stunning scenery, with beautiful wildflowers, abandoned fire towers, cascading waterfalls, rushing streams, and spectacular gorges and lakes.

Lazarus also showed the audience his hiking equipment, including an alcohol “cooking system” made from a Heineken beer can (weighing less than one pound) and his sleeping gear (hammock, sleeping bag, rain fly, bug net, and poncho (all weighing about six pounds). And for daytime warmth, he would wrap his sleeping bag around his head and chest under his jacket, a sight sure to deter any would-be predator.

Wilderness warning	Mt. Katahdin from Katahdin stream
Ice on beaver pond	Pemadumcook Lake

We’ve been through three terrible years and the news media loves to pump out the bad news. But Connecticut’s economy is showing a surprising rebound and good news continues to flow in. With these sentiments, Peter Gioia, Vice President and Economist for CBIA (Connecticut Business & Industry Association) addressed 49 Y’s Men of Meriden on a snowy Jan. 17.

Some elements that favor our state’s economy are the burgeoning middle class around the world, a weak U.S. dollar, and the outstanding quality of domestically manufactured products, all of which stimulate the sale of Connecticut products abroad. Also helping is a greater supply of “cheap” energy resulting from rapidly expanding oil exploration in the U.S and the Gulf of Mexico, development of tar sands in Canada, and increasing natural gas production here.

Gioia noted, “I’m hearing really good news from local manufacturers who sell internationally,” a welcome turn-around from 3-4 years ago. The U.S. is about to report record international sales for 2011, up a whopping 7½% from the previous year. Indeed, Connecticut businesses are now experiencing shortages of skilled workers, prompting the expansion of training programs here while also encouraging the immigration of trained workers from abroad. Productivity of Connecticut workers is “off the charts”, exceeding the U.S. average by 50%.

The housing industry remains sluggish, although some communities such as Cheshire and West Hartford have seen virtually no erosion in home prices during the past several years. However, the large number of working adult children living with their parents provides a sizable pool of pent-up demand for new homes, providing for a potential rush of housing purchases when mortgage availability improves.

Job growth in the state is improving slowly, and unemployment claims are dropping. Governor Dannel Malloy has been proactive in working with business and the legislature, carefully listening to recommendations while often weathering blistering criticism, and successfully working with both Democrats and Republicans. Notes Gioia, “I’m more positive about what I’m seeing in Connecticut now than I have been during the past few years.” But we need to entice many talented students from abroad to study here and then stay to develop their own companies, thus providing more jobs to Americans.

Troubled youth – perhaps you thought it’s a new phenomenon? Well, not so. More than a century ago in 1904, the Connecticut Junior Republic was founded in Litchfield, providing a residential center for young men coming from homes of abuse or neglect. In this facility, the residents organized their own police and government, complete with a jail for miscreants.

Danyell Jackson and Christine Jaffer

Speaking to 57 Y’s Men of Meriden on Jan. 10, Christine Jaffer (Program Supervisor of the CJR programs in Waterbury) and Danyell Jackson (Program Director of the Middletown Program located in Meriden) described this growing organization. Over the years, the state became involved, placing youths in legal trouble (robbery, assault) under the watch of “house parents” until they could rejoin open society. The atmosphere of mutual aid was reflected in “boys helping boys”, the original CJR motto,

During the 1990’s, state pressure (partially driven by financial constraints) resulted in the progressive abandonment of multi-year residential care in favor of in-home therapeutic programs, with visits by counselors 2-3 times weekly. Expansion of services resulted in a new facility in Waterbury and the beginning of programs for girls (who now constitute about 25% of clients). Today, CJR Family Support Centers are located in Waterbury, Middletown and New Britain, along with long-term residential group homes in Winchester and East Hartford.

Among the approximately 500 youth (ages 12-18) that are currently enrolled, most come through the court system, along with some from parents requesting help as well as a few voluntary admissions. Most funding comes from the judicial branch of state government and the Department of Children and Families. CJR does not accept youth with histories of sex offense or arson, or who have homicidal or suicidal behavior.

Counseling ranges from anger management to learning work skills. In-home services are generally provided for 3-5 months, but it is not unusual for counselors to run into significant parental apathy. Outcome (success) measurements can be hard to determine; however, improved school attendance in a formerly truant student or attainment of a successful employment record are indicators.

It’s a magnificent place to take a stroll if you haven’t already done so. The Quinnipiac River Gorge Trail (QRGT), beginning at Red Bridge on Oregon Road and curving along the river for 1.3 miles, allows folks to walk, jog, bicycle and skate, but is off limits to any motorized vehicles or unleashed dogs.

Speaking to 72 enthusiastic Y’s Men of Meriden fresh back from the holidays on Jan. 3, Joseph Zajac, Chairman of Meriden’s 10-member Linear Trails Committee, first noted the committee’s close relationship with other organizations including the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association, the Meriden Land Trust, and Meriden’s Health and Parks Departments. He then presented a 15-minute DVD about the QRGT, whose features include exercise, wildlife viewing, kayaking, informational kiosks and a unique history lesson.

At the head of the trail, Red Bridge, spanning the river since the late 1880’s, was long a favorite swimming spot for Meriden’s youth, but fell into disrepair until its restoration by the Meriden Lions Club and is now listed on the National Historic Registry. The QRGT was built on the original rail bed of the 1890 Cromwell, Meriden & Waterbury RR, in its time a popular means of transportation to Hanover Pond for recreation, but not commercially viable and ultimately abandoned by 1924.

The present trail was completed in 2006, ten feet wide and paved for year round use. In addition to wildlife such as eagles and deer and a carpet of colorful wildflowers, hikers are likely to view the remains of Oregon Dam (built to power a button factory), Boy Scout Island, High Bridge, Carpenter’s Dam, and the steep 100-200 foot tall sides of the gorge itself. The trail has remained remarkably free of vandalism and crime, and has become a popular destination for young and old alike.

But the work of the Linear Trails Committee is far from done. Next is the Hanover Pond Trail, a $1.3 million project funded 80% by the federal government and 20% by Meriden taxpayers, which will start at Red Bridge, skirt Hanover Pond and end at the Platt High School parking lot. Funding is in place and project completion is expected by Fall 2012. And future plans include multiple trails throughout the city, with eventual tie-ins to trails from surrounding towns.

For details, visit www.meridenlineartrail.org.