by Maurice Forrester
Publications
KTA's second decade began with a determined focus on the group's publication program. The organization's first ten years had already seen three editions of Pennsylvania Hiking Trails. Although these were all relatively modest 8 ½ " x 11" booklets with simple sketch maps, they were enthusiastically received by the Pennsylvania hiking community, as witnessed by the need for three editions during KTA's first ten years.
Now the group was ready to move ahead with the publishing project that had motivated many of the founders from the beginning: the publication by KTA of a guide for the entire Appalachian Trail within the boundaries of Pennsylvania. At that time, the Pennsylvania section of the trail was divided between two guide books: the portion north of the Susquehanna River was included in the book published by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, while the stretch south of the river was included in a guide published by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. Although one key founding member of KTA strongly opposed the publishing project, a decision was made to proceed.
The first hurdle involved coordinating the publication date of the new guide with the existing stocks of the other two guides so as to minimize overlap. This problem was eventually worked out, as well as some issues relating to the format of the new book. The latter concerns had to do with whether trail distances should be listed in tenths or hundredths of a mile, and also whether the trail description should be in a tabular form or in the narrative form that had characterized the earlier guide books. It was decided to list mileages in tenths and to use the tabular format with which we are now all familiar. At last, in 1968 the first edition of Guide to the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania was published by Keystone Trails Association. This was followed by a second edition in 1970, and a third edition in 1973.
Meanwhile, demand for Pennsylvania Hiking Trails continued to grow. In response to the enthusiastic hiker acceptance of this guide, a fourth edition appeared in 1968, followed by a fifth in 1970, a sixth in 1972, and a seventh in 1974. At 96 pages, the seventh edition was more than double the size of the earliest efforts. In addition, the book had become substantially more polished. The maps were by now either professionally drawn specifically for KTA or were photocopied from USGS topographical maps. The number of trails covered was likewise greatly expanded.
Organization
In 1967, George Spring announced his intention to leave the KTA presidency after serving in that capacity for ten years -- still the longest presidential tenure in the history of the Association. George was succeeded by Dick Kimmel who, in turn, would serve nine years as KTA president. Subsequently, in 1972, Mel Brinton asked to be replaced as Secretary, a post he had held continuously since the founding of KTA. Maurice Forrester was selected as the new Secretary.
Also in 1967, the Appalachian Trail Conference assigned to KTA overall responsibility for the A.T. in Pennsylvania, including the right to assign sections for maintenance.
After 16 consecutive years of holding the Annual Meeting at Camp Michaux, a new site was selected for the 1972 meeting: Camp Swatara in northern Berks County. Although many members felt sentimental links to Camp Michaux, there was a strong and steadily growing desire for new surroundings and, above all, new hiking territory. Camp Swatara proved popular with KTA members, and the Annual Meeting returned there at various times for a total of nine visits -- still a far cry from the Camp Michaux record. At the end of KTA's second decade only two sites had ever served as settings for the Annual Meeting. This was to change dramatically in the coming years. Another change in the meeting routine was implemented in 1973. Up to this time, the fall meeting of the KTA Council had always been held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting. Over time, objections to this practice had been raised. Foremost among these was the fact that the Council meetings were attended essentially by the same people every year, with many member clubs never or rarely represented at the meetings. It was thought by many that if the Council meetings were held in various parts of the state, some of these clubs might be induced to become more active in the affairs of KTA. This practice was implemented in 1973 and proved to have only limited success. After a number of years, this effort was abandoned, and the fall Council meetings were once again held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting.
In 1973, the annual dues for individual members was doubled -- from $1.00 to $2.00. The one-dollar level had been set at the founding of KTA, and remained unchanged for the intervening 18 years.
Also in 1973, a committee was appointed to undertake a complete revision of the KTA Constitution and Bylaws. The Constitution originally adopted in 1956 was a very basic document which by this time had long since been outgrown by the thriving association. In 1975 the draft presented by the committee was reviewed and revised by the KTA Council before being accepted by the full membership. Perhaps the most noteworthy change in the new Constitution was a greatly enhanced role for individual members in the management of the organization.
Also in 1973, a committee was appointed to undertake a complete revision of the KTA Constitution and Bylaws. The Constitution originally adopted in 1956 was a very basic document which by this time had long since been outgrown by the thriving association. In 1975 the draft presented by the committee was reviewed and revised by the KTA Council before being accepted by the full membership. Perhaps the most noteworthy change in the new Constitution was a greatly enhanced role for individual members in the management of the organization.
Tuscarora Trail
The Tuscarora Trail in Pennsylvania, which had been many years in the making, was finally completed in 1973. This was the first trail created entirely under the auspices of Keystone Trails Association.
Partnerships
As KTA matured and gained in self-confidence, it lost its early hesitancy about cooperating with other groups in matters of mutual interest. Among other such cooperative efforts, KTA joined the Stony Creek Valley Coalition, which was dedicated to blocking the pump storage power project that was planned for the St. Anthony's Wilderness area of Stony Creek Valley in Dauphin County. This conservation effort was ultimately successful.
KTA also joined the Save-the-Delaware Coalition which was working in opposition to the dam that had been proposed for the Delaware River. This effort too was successful.
Changing of the Guard
The final year of KTA's second decade unquestionably marked a watershed for the Association. Between 1975 and 1976 was the only instance (so far) when all of KTA's officers changed at the same time. Except for the first year when Ralph Kinter was president, George Spring and Dick Kimmel between them had served as president for the remaining 19 years. Four individuals had served as vice-president: John Gale for one year, John Lloyd for three years, and Arthur Humphrey and Merritt Zimmerman for the remaining 16 years. Nancy Heller, as treasurer, had served for the entire 20 years, and Mel Brinton as Secretary had served for the first 16 years, before being replaced by Maurice Forrester.
By 1976, all four incumbent officers had been replaced. This new leadership cadre would face the challenge of maintaining the high standards established by the pioneers who preceded them.