Cornell could be headed for the Ice Age
Cornell City Council
With a memorandum of understanding with the Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA), Cornell could be approved to be an Ice Age Trail Community. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IANST) came about, with its origins beginning in the 1920s, to be used by millions of people for outdoor recreation.
One of only 11 national scenic trails in the country, the Ice Age Trail is a 1,000-mile footpath contained entirely within Wisconsin. Ancient glaciers carved the path through rocky terrain, open prairies and forests.
The memorandum to make Cornell an Ice Age Trail Community, was signed Dec. 19, at a regular Cornell City Council meeting.
“We’re one of the few (towns) that the trail goes right through,” said city administrator Dave DeJongh.
For a $2,500 one-time fee, half of which is paid for by the alliance out of the Chippewa Moraine Interpretive Center, the city is in consideration to be a trail community. Becoming a trail community was mentioned in the past, so a committee was formed, consisting of DeJongh, resident and Ice Age Trail enthusiast Vicki Christianson, and a few others.
The committee put together the trail community application.
“Once we’re approved as an IATA community or city, then, any advertising, promotions or things that they do toward the Ice Age, our name will be involved with it,” said mayor Judy Talbot.
“So, it’s free advertising for life,” said council member Ashley Carothers.
The alliance is a non-profit organization, which helps with accomplishing mutual objectives, such as educating businesses of the value of the IANST as an economic resource.
See CORNELL CITY COUNCIL/ Page 3 They also help with applying for grants targeted to assist in community efforts toward nature-based tourism development.
If accepted, Cornell will receive two, 18x24-inch metal signs with the Ice Age Trail Community Logo, to be posted at entrances of the town. On their side of things, the city must include the IANST and IATA in promotional material and make Ice Age Trail information available at the visitors center.
DeJongh says the city should know fairly soon if they’ve been accepted.
“I think it’s going to happen,” said Talbot.
Talbot also mentioned the annual Kids Community Christmas Party, held at the Cornell High School, saying how grateful she is to everyone who helped in any way. The event was down on numbers for the free happening, with 600-800 attending, and receiving a meal and kid’s gift, but Talbot says everything flowed well.
“It was a wonderful time, people were happy...the smiles and the kids, and the laughing,” said Talbot. “It’s wonderful to see how a community gets together and supports each other, and donates and does without questions.”
Council member Ashley Carothers also reported that the Cornell Area Ambulance Service hosted the Spirit of Christmas through Chippewa County, which distributes to families in need.
“We will host it again in Cornell, so we would like to invite all those within Holcombe, Cornell, Chippewa County, for them to use us as a center to pick up,” said Carothers. “It is a lot closer than going out to Chippewa (Falls). We are also a warm building you can come in and stand, and you don’t have to stand outside for three hours waiting to go inside.”
Carothers then extended her best wishes to the community she lives and works in.
“I’d like to wish our council and our residents a Merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy New Year,” she said.
