The Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter of the North Country Trail Association will hold its fourth annual Celebration Dinner Thursday, February 16, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Varsity Grill in Rudyard. The evening will feature a dinner and a “state of the trail” update from chapter members.

State Representative Gary McDowell will be the guest speaker. Mr. McDowell serves as vice-chair of the state’s Conservation, Forest, and Outdoor Recreation Committee and is a resident of the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

The North Country Trail is a 4,600-mile footpath that crosses seven states from North Dakota to New York, and a portion of it runs through the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

The Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter has adopted a section of the North Country National Scenic Trail, known locally as the blue diamond trail, from the Mackinac Bridge to the mouth of the Two-Hearted River.

The Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter works to maintain the North Country National Scenic Trail as a premier hiking path. More information can be obtained at the North Country Trail Association Web site: www.northcountrytrail.org.

Anyone interested in the trail system is encouraged to become involved with the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter by helping with maintenance duties, adopting sections of trail, attending regular meetings and hikes, and supporting the chapter through donations of time, equipment, and membership dues.

Additional information can be obtained by calling President Roger Morrison at (906) 3220993 or sending e-mail to rmorrison@ sault.com, or by contacting Vice President Kirt StageHarvey at 643-6379 or sending e-mail to hiknflyn_dad2 @yahoo.com.