While completion of the Cleburne County section of the Chief Ladiga Trail has been stalled by funding glitches and environmental hurdles, Jacksonville State University is lending hands toward seeing the 33-mile trail connect with Georgia’s Silver Comet Trail as soon as possible.

Last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service told Cleburne County Engineer Russell Emrick that he would need to survey for endangered species before he could let the contract to pave a four-mile trail extension from the Calhoun County line to Cleburne County 230.

For the complete article and a short slide presentation visit:
http://www.annistonstar.com/news/2005/as-jacksonville-0531-jcenters-5e31i5938.htm

Path to glory (and Georgia)
Anniston Star — In our opinion
03-16-2005

The last key piece of a puzzle that would link two great trails, one in Alabama and the other in Georgia, is close to being secured. Cleburne County engineer Russell Emrick says that with help from Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, the county has secured a $100,000 grant to complete the last unfinished bridge on the Chief Ladiga Trail.

For the complete article and a short slide presentation visit http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2005/as-editorials-0316-editorial-5c16a1013.htm

Chief Ladiga Trail Board Announces Town Meeting
January 2005

Because it’s a day known for being green and the CLT is known as a “greenway”, Saint Patrick’s Day has been chosen as the day for the next CLT Town Meeting. Thursday, March 17th at 6:00 p.m. board members, mayors, experts and those interested in the Chief Ladiga Trail will gather at the former Fort McClellan to lean more about Alabama’s longest and most successful rail-trail conversion.

For more information about the Town Meeting contact CLT Board Chairman, Pete Conroy at Jacksonville State University.

Board Votes to Extend Trail in Former Military Base
January 2005

On Tuesday, January 18th, a Board of Directors known as the McClellan Joint Powers Authority, voted unanimously to pull up the abandoned tracks that once supported trains which supplied the Army. The base has been closed since 1999 and no trains have used the track since for over six years.

Reports have shown that there is no known industry interested in using the old rail system and even if there was such an interest, it could cost as much as $3.5 million dollars upgrade the system to current standards. Economic experts have encouraged the abandonment of the line.

The JPA, who is charged with the responsibility of reusing the former base, voted to proceed with an abandonment procedure and explore a contact to have the old ties and tracks removed. The future use, according to JPA’s Planner, Miki Schneider is to have the Chief Ladiga Trail extended into McClellan, pass through the proposed Arts and Retail Village, the Longleaf Concert Grounds and ultimately allow pedestrians access to the newly designated Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge.

The motion, which was seconded by JPA Board Member and Anniston Mayor Chip Howell, was made by JPA Board member and JSU EPIC Director Pete Conroy. For more information about the McClellan effort, interested individuals may contact Conroy at Jacksonville State University.

ANNISTON STAR
Rock for the roll: Acoustic benefit concert to feature former Wings guitarist
By Brett Buckner
10-09-2003 

Though his name may not be an instant hit with rock fans, the music he helped create as a member of the ’70s supergroup Wings and later as a solo artist, will certainly strike a chord. 

From 1978 to 1981, Laurence Juber toured the world as lead guitarist for the Paul McCartney-led band known for such radio staples as “Live and Let Die,” “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Goodnight Tonight” and “Coming Up.”

And now he’s making a tour stop in Anniston. The solo acoustic concert, which will be 7 p.m. Saturday, at the Alabama Show Palace Banquet Room, will benefit the Chief Ladiga Rail Trail Project.

“He’s an absolutely amazing guitar player,” said Wayne Brown, owner of the Greenbrier Music Shop, which is sponsoring the concert. “There’s nothing scaled down about the way he plays. Whether he’s playing a Beatles song or a Wings song, he plays all the numerous parts together. Nothing is left out.” The concert, Brown clarified, will be strictly instrumental with no vocals. 

Brown met Juber, known to acoustic guitar enthusiasts as “L J,” several years ago at a trade show and the two men have remained in contact ever since. 

“He’s a very popular and respected player among acoustic guitarists and fans of acoustic music,” Brown said. “He’s really a great guy. There’s none of that star attitude you might expect from someone who is so accomplished.”

Juber, who’s been playing professionally since he was 13, released his first solo album, “Solo Flight,” in 1990. That record was the first to showcase his finger-style guitar play. Since the first album, Juber has released several additional recordings – all of which have been well received by fans and critics alike – including the top selling “LJ Plays the Beatles.” 

In addition to his years on tour and in the recording studio with Wings, Juber has also forged an impressive career as a studio musician, working with such performers as ex-Beatles George Harrison and Ringo Starr, as well as Belinda Carlisle, Air Supply, The Monkees and Paul Williams. Juber has written music for television shows including “Roseane” “Happy Days,” “Family Ties” and “Beverly Hills 90210.” He was also the featured guitarist on “The Young and the Restless” for six years.

It is Juber’s work as a composer for the off-Broadway production of “Gilligan’s Island – The Musical,” which he and his wife, Hope, wrote the score for, that will bring him to Alabama.

The production of ‘Gilligan’s Island,’ based on the television series written by Hope’s father, Sherwood Schwartz, will premiering at Birmingham’s Virginia Samford Theatre Friday.

“So it worked out really well, allowing him to come to Anniston to perform,” Brown said. “Everything just came together perfectly.”

Brown wants all those planning to attend to know that “absolutely all”proceeds from the $15 concert will go to benefit the ongoing construction of the Chief Ladiga Trail - a 33-mile bike and nature trail stretching from the Alabama-Georgia state line to Anniston.

“I’ve been riding that trail since it first opened,” Brown said. “The thing with riding is that you always want it to go further. I’d like to see this thing go all the way through Cleburne County. I’ve been on the Georgia part and the Alabama part, so I’d really like to see those parts joined together.”

But completing the project that began back in 1990 will require more fundraisers like the Saturday concert.

“We need $17,000 to get this thing finished,” Brown said. “We’re just trying to do our part and hope to raise as much money as we can.”

In addition to the concert Saturday evening, Juber will also conduct a free finger-style guitar clinic, 3 p.m. at the Greenbrier Music Shop, located at 1521 Greenbrier Road in Anniston. The clinic in intended for “serious guitar players,” Brown said, adding that those who take part should play on an intermediate or skilled level.

For more information about the guitar clinic or the benefit concert, call the Greenbrier Music Shop at 831-7272. 

JSU's part of Ladiga Trail opens
   By Jennifer Ginsberg, Star Staff Writer
       October 22, 2002

    Walkers, bicyclists, a tricyclist and a speed skater broke in Jacksonville State University's new one-mile portion of the Chief Ladiga Trail on Monday.
    JSU's portion of the trail connects the trail between Alabama Highway 204 and Mountain Street.
    But, as Pete Conroy, Director of JSU's Environmental Policy and Information Center, said to an audience of more than 50 people, "Trails are not just about connecting places, but also people."
    Flora Fortenberry and Margie Steed were neighbors who met on the trail and continue to use it.
    It's been about a month since Fortenberry has biked the seven miles from Piedmont to Jacksonville.  But, the 75-year-old often walks on the trail with her husband, Clayton, 78.
    Steed, who uses a wheelchair because of injuries caused by an accident, still gets out on the trail.
    "I advise you all to get out on the trail," she said. "I've enjoyed all the time I've spent on the trail."
    Steed was awarded the Governor's Award for Outstanding Service to the State of Alabama for her strong and consistent support of the Chief Ladiga Trail.
    In addition to the friendships made on the trail, the trail also makes for healthier people.
    Jack Hataway and Miriam Gains of the Alabama Department of Health pointed out that 60 percent of Alabamians are overweight and that Alabama is one of the top three fattest states in the nation.
    Projects such as the Chief Ladiga Trail "improve physical activity levels," Hataway said.
    Losing weight also decreases the rate for health problems such as self-reported diabetes and arthritis, Hataway said.  Plus, physical activity helps increase mental alertness.
    In 1999, JSU was awarded a state grant to complete its segment across campus.  JSU contributed $40,000, which exceeded the 20 percent expected match.
    "Dr. (Bill) Meehan has been a champion for this project," Conroy said, reminiscing about sitting with JSU's president at a picnic table in the middle of the woods, mapping out the trail plan.
    JSU's portion of the trail is home to the only public water fountain on the entire trail.  It also has a separate parking area, kiosk and raised seating area.
    The trail spans 33 miles through Calhoun and Cleburne counties and is fully paved.

ANNISTON STAR
Ladiga Trail brings cities together
        By Ashley Hall, Star Staff Writer
        April 27, 2001

    Residents of Anniston, Weaver, Jacksonville and Piedmont often have different and sometimes conflicting interests and concerns. But there is one common thread that literally binds them together. That is the Chief Ladiga Trail, which runs from Anniston north to Cleburne County.
    Thursday evening, people from all over the county came together under a tent in the middle of the Jacksonville State University campus for the annual town meeting to address the needs and successes of the trail. The meeting was led by Pete Conroy, who serves as chairman of the Chief Ladiga Recreation Trail Board.
    "This is the most cooperative project I have ever seen undertaken in Calhoun County," said Calhoun County Commissioner Robert Downing.
    Representatives from each city along the trail shared their goals and visions for the trail's improvement.
    Jacksonville State University President Dr. William Meehan was on hand to announce the construction of JSU's section of trail, which will slice right through campus. This section is the final link to join the entire Calhoun County run. "It will happen," Meehan said of construction. "It didn't happen as fast as I had wanted, but it will happen." Construction is set to begin this summer.
    Glen Berry, co-chair of the Cleburne County section of trail, announced the Ladiga Trail in his county will be open in about two weeks, although some bridges still need to be finished. Completion of the trail in Cleburne County will eventually allow the trail to run from Anniston all the way to Atlanta.
    Another vital addition to the trail should be public bathrooms, participants at the meeting decided. There are facilities on the Weaver and Piedmont sections, and there are newly opened bathrooms at Germania Springs, which is on Jacksonville's part of the trail. "We are open for business as of this week," said Jacksonville Director of Parks and Recreation Bo Batey. Anniston recently applied for a state grant to construct the much-needed facilities.
    Anniston also has plans to expand parking at the head of the trail and to plant more trees, said Tammy Chapman, Anniston Director of Parks and Recreation.
    Representatives from Weaver described the city's plan for a police bicycle patrol along their two-and-a-half mile stretch. "I'm hoping that each and every city and community from one end to the other, will do the same and make it a better place for everybody to enjoy," said Weaver Police Officer Michael Kane.
    Piedmont Mayor Charlie Fagan reminded the meeting participants about the Ninth Annual Cheaha Challenge bike race that begins on Piedmont's section of the trail May 6.
    The improvements and maintenance of the trail depends greatly on grants and donations. For instance, the three bikes for Weaver's bike patrol were donated by local residents Jim Pettus and Clint Fresh. Especially in the current climate of cutbacks, funding is scarce. Representatives from each section are always seeking funding assistance for community centers and kiosks to go along the trail. Right now, Piedmont, Anniston and Jacksonville all are competing for money from the same grant source. But transcending competition, the attitude of the trail supporters seemed to suggest that each knows that what is good for the trail at one end will improve the trail throughout.

JSU NEWS BUREAU
University gets $196k grant to complete Ladiga Rail Trail
       By Buffy Smith
       February 9, 2000

    The Chief Ladiga Trail will soon pass through the JSU campus, thanks to a new federal grant.
    "This is a project that really dates back to our University master plan," said Don Thacker, Vice President of Administrative and Business Affairs. We were waiting on the city to finish their part of the track."
    The trail is Alabama's first extended rails-to-trails project.  It travels 33 miles through the countryside of Calhoun and Cleburne counties and it connects Piedmont, Jacksonville, Weaver and Anniston.  It wanders through Piedmont and stops short at Highway 204 on the JSU campus.  It picks up again on Mountain Street.
    Thacker said that JSU wanted to complete the trail, but first needed to raise $200,000 to cover the costs.  Governor Don Siegelman and G.M. Roberts, Director of the Alabama Department of Transportation, pushed for a federal enhancement grant to help JSU complete the project.  The grant was approved and JSU was awarded more than $196,000.
    In addition to creating a pavement track, the money will be used to build a kiosk in the center of Paul Carpenter Village.  The kiosk will serve as a rest stop and JSU information booth for trail users.  Thacker said the JSU portion of the Chief Ladiga Trail should be complete by spring.