William Cottrell is a new contributor to the Trail Tales column, and an occasional hiker. His story, Perfect Attendance recalls a childhood memory that finds a measure of closure in a recent visit.

 About William Cottrell- William is a member of the North Carolina Writers’ Network, and an anesthesiologist who practiced over 39 years in the area of Concord, North Carolina before retirement in 2018. He has served in various capacities including president of Cabarrus County Medical Society, Chairman of the Department of Anesthesia and as a medical examiner for Cabarrus County. His medical practice has been complimented by a love of writing, acoustic guitar, golf, community and family including six grandchildren. In 2016 he completed his memoirs; Confessions of an Anesthesiologist, available on amazon and Barnes and Noble. It is also featured in the Bookstore Tab on this website. This book gives a chronological review of how his medical practice evolved over forty years from both a personal and professional perspective.
You can reach Dr. Cottrell by email at wcottrell1@windstream.net.

  Mel Pitts is a new contributor to the Trail Tales column, and a hiking enthusiast. Her story, Trail Lesson reminds readers that some of the best trails are those shared with someone you love.

  About Mel Pitts- Mel Pitts is a member of the North Carolina Writers’ Network. She grew up in a rural setting, where she developed her passion for writing, nature, and animals. In 1973, she earned a BS degree in English education from Ohio University and then a Master of Arts from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Mel stayed in that town to teach high school English and creative writing. Mel writes, gardens, kayaks, hikes, is active in her church, and enjoys being a mom and grandmother. You can reach Mel by email at melpitts@yahoo.com  

Change Happens!   Hidden Treasure Novels, HTN reinforces that message in several social media outlets. If you follow us at Twitter or Facebook you will recognize this photo of a creek in Piedmont of North Carolina.

In the debut award winning novel that launched this HTN enterprise, Jackson Badgenoone considers the High Water Markers of life. Jackson draws inspiration for the theme after observing this Dutch Buffalo Creek. On page 41 of that book, readers discover that, “High Water Markers provide tangible evidence of the advance and retreat of creeks, streams, rivers, and oceans. Metaphorically they also provide the measuring stick for citizens, nations, enterprise and empire… Civilian title after a name, the number of boxes under a box on an organization chart, a corporation balance sheet… A few are life-changing events, a birth, a spiritual epiphany, a wedding, a divorce, a death.” The Hidden Treasure of Dutch Buffalo Creek, page 41.

This blog entry considers High Water Markers that relate to our environment. We welcome readers to share their experience through the contact button on the connect page of this website. What was an environmental  high water marker that you observed during the seasons of your lifetime?

Debra Madaris Efird is a new contributor to the Trail Tales column, and a hiking enthusiast. Her story, My Own Green Cathedral reminds readers that some of the best trails can be enjoyed right in their own back yard.

About Debra Madaris Efird- Debra is a member of the NC Writers' Network and author of Groups in Practice: A School Counselor's Collection (2012, Routledge).  She has had numerous articles published in professional counseling magazines as well as in saturdayeveningpost.com, livinglutheran.org, Savannah Anthology, Wake Living magazine, UNCG magazine, and others.  She has been a Finalist in numerous writing contests, including the Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize, Doris Betts Fiction Prize, Press 53 Open Awards, NCSU Prize for Short Fiction, and others. You can reach Debra at email debramadarisefird@gmail.com , website: https://sites.google.com/site/debramadarisefird/home

Change Happens!   Hidden Treasure Novels, HTN reinforces that message in several social media outlets. If you follow us at Twitter or Facebook you will recognize this photo. Friends in New Jersey might remember a time when they had to deposit these tokens every few miles or so on their way to the shore.

In the debut award winning novel that launched this HTN enterprise, Jackson Badgenoone considers the High Water Markers of life. Jackson draws inspiration for the theme after observing the Dutch Buffalo Creek. On page 41 of that book, readers discover that, “High Water Markers provide tangible evidence of the advance and retreat of creeks, streams, rivers, and oceans. Metaphorically they also provide the measuring stick for citizens, nations, enterprise and empire… Civilian title after a name, the number of boxes under a box on an organization chart, a corporation balance sheet… A few are life-changing events, a birth, a spiritual epiphany, a wedding, a divorce, a death.” The Hidden Treasure of Dutch Buffalo Creek, page 41.

This blog entry considers High Water Markers that relate to society. We welcome readers to share their experience through the contact button on the connect page of this website. What was a high water marker that you observed during the seasons of your lifetime?

Readers of this blog know that novels aren’t the only place where written treasures are hidden in the narrative. Some are revealed in the chapters of a novella, the paragraphs of a short story, or the flow of a poem. My walking buddies and I decided to make a range of written material available to other hikers who frequent the Buffalo Creek Preserve and Trail.
The article posted this month was written by Barbara Baker. In her short story, "He was Supposed to Be a Robot" Barbara shares about a very special artifact that she treasures to this day.

About - Barbara Baker
Barbara Baker is a retired Kindergarten teacher, who has been writing poetry for over 50 years.  She was born on the US Naval Submarine Base in New London, CT, but grew up in south Central New York State.  After graduating high school Barb chose to explore life for a few years before entering college. Her journey is captured in her writing. She can be contacted at poemtree68@gmail.com.

Benny Moose is a long-time hiking buddy, enjoys the outdoors, and is now a second time contributor to Trail Tales. A Sunday School Picnic Fifty Years Ago recalls a story originally penned back in 1973 by Archie Evans Moose. It describes a special trip as seen through the eyes of a seven-year-old boy. This is the second part of the story.

About - Benny Moose
Benny is married to his high school sweetheart.They have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. Benny taught Physical Education and Health classes for 31 years in Newton-Conover City School System and Cabarrus County School System. Taught Driver Education for 45 years in both school systems.

In the debut award winning novel that launched this HTN enterprise, Jackson Badgenoone considers the High Water Markers of life. Jackson draws inspiration for the theme after observing the Dutch Buffalo Creek that appears on the cover of the book. On page 41 we read, “High Water Markers provide tangible evidence of the advance and retreat of creeks, streams, rivers, and oceans.

Metaphorically they also provide the measuring stick for citizens, nations, enterprise and empire… Civilian title after a name, the number of boxes under a box on an organization chart, a corporation balance sheet… A few are life-changing events, a birth, a spiritual epiphany, a wedding, a divorce, a death.” The Hidden Treasure of Dutch Buffalo Creek, page 41.
This blog entry considers High Water Markers that relate to career. We welcome readers to share their experience through the contact button on the connect page of this website.

          Preparing for your first job
          Your first job
          Developing a professional development path for yourself

Creating your business plan
Identifying your market
Forming your own business
Generating your product /service
Establishing a brand
Hiring your first employee
Developing a professional development path for your employees
Planning an exit strategy