The Niagara Bruce Trail Club

The Niagara Grapevine -- Summer 2001

Editor: Diane R. Sauder, 126 Trelawn Pkwy. Welland, L3C6L9, (905) 788-2951 email dsauder@iaw.com
Web version by John Lye email jlye@spartan.ac.brocku.ca

The deadline for inclusion in the Autumn 2001 issue is August 1st

Contents:

The President's Report

By Jim Rainforth

As I contemplate the challenges of becoming your President for the next two years, I look back over the past year with respect and appreciation to your President and executive for 2000/2001. Your executive, led by President Bill, showed dedication, leadership and an impressive competence in each area of their respective responsibility. Perhaps most significant was the characteristic of the "experienced" acting as mentors for the less experienced, offering hope of continuity of a "quality" executive for 2001/2002. The Niagara Bruce Trail Club has been in good hands for many years. It is my challenge and the challenge of your 2001/2002 executive to maintain the high standards established by our predecessors.

There have been some changes on the executive, with June Green replacing Barb Skelton as Secretary, Edie Basaraba replacing Norma Delogu as Membership Chair; Fred Sullivan replacing Ann Judd in Media Relations, and Marg Kalogeropoulos assisted by Fred Azzopardi replacing Bill Lidkea and Ron Massey in Landowner Relations. These retiring members of the executive can be rightfully proud of their contribution to the Niagara Bruce Trail Club. I know that they will be available to offer guidance to their successors.

Additionally as per our By-laws, President Bill becomes Past President Bill, replacing John Hartman.

Thanks to all of the retiring Directors, and welcome to the returning, and especially to the new Directors.

The Niagara Bruce Trail Club's Annual General Meeting was held April 21 at St. John's Anglican Church Hall. Liz Reaker and her many helpers again did an excellent "pot luck" dinner for more than 80 members and guests. The "Getting in Touch" section lists the new executive, and changes have been noted above.

Bruce Trail Association President Richard Boehnke presented an information update on the status of "Realize the Dream by 2015" including the very important Trillium Foundation Grant which will be used by the Bruce Trail Association to lay the groundwork for securing the trail by 2015. Securing the Trail by 2015 will be a challenge to the Association and the members Clubs, but with President Richard's very enthusiastic leadership, anything seems possible.

The Niagara Bruce Trail Club will have an additional special challenge; the safe and secure crossing of the QEW as part of the reconstruction between 405 and Mountain Road. We will continue to work on this and will keep you informed of developments.

Good Hiking for the year ahead.

                                New President Jim

REALIZING THE DREAM—SECURING THE TRAIL BY 2015

Richard Boehnke, President of the B.T.A. Added a Touch of Humour to Some Serious Matters as guest speaker at our recent AGM and Pot Luck supper held recently. Here are some and facts and figures: THANKS PRES R. BOEHNKE FOR BEING OUR SPEAKER AT THE AGM

Fort George To Fort Erie — April 7th & 8th

23 hikers from across Southern Ontario gathered at Kingsbridge Park in Chippawa for the Ninth Annual Fort to Fort hike. April weather proved to be fickle. Saturday was cool and rainy. Sunday the hikers were basking in the sunshine. Amoung the 19 who finished the hike were 4 members of the Niagara BTA Trail Club. Congratulations to Bernice Thiesssen, Judy Gauthier, Dave Dewey, and Derek Amstrong.

President Bill Timmins presented the hikers with their Fort to Fort badges. Thanks to Mary Tennant for manning the check point (in rain) on Saturday. Thanks to Wilma and Bill Lidkea for manning the checkpoint on Sunday (in sunshine). Many thanks to Brenda Zadoroznij, Ann Judd, Margaret Kalerogeropolous, Larry Barton, Bud Walsh & John Hartman at 7:00am were at Chippawa, smiling, and ready to drive.

Thanks to Bill

To Our Retiring President Bill Timmins:

Thanks For

"After doing such a GREAT JOB for 2 years, If you feel the need for additional activity there is always a need for additional good hike leaders." — Frank D

See you on the trail !!

                                The friends and members of our club

Thanks to Richard Boehnke

I would like to thank BTA President Richard Boehnke for taking the time from his busy schedule to bring greetings from the BTA Board of Directors to our Niagara AGM. As I indicated at the AGM the "Realizing the Dream" is going well thanks to our generous members. With your continued support the Board is more confident than ever in achieving the dream. I hope our members have attended the Public Information meeting Centre concerning the QEW crossing that took place, May 16th. at Club Italia in Niagara.

                                 Cecile Dillon — BTA Appointee

Trail Maintenance — Kim Burt

Thank you to all retiring board members for your dedication during your term. A warm welcome to new board members elected at the April AGM.

New Landowner Royal Niagara prepares for its new season

Welcome new Trail captains for this new section # 6, First Niagara Scout leaders: Christine Hauser, Doug Savage, Scouts Jessica R.Jackson, and Shane Hollingsworth.

Christine and Jessica Rose attended the Trail Workshop in Mar. The crew has been working hard upgrading this section. New access signs have been ordered for roadside.

Needed: A volunteer with time & router experience-Call Kim at 688-9365 Although dates have yet to be determined, the St. Catherines Side Trail will be disrupted as construction on the Thorld tunnel commences this summer.

Many Thanks — Herb Pattan

Herb is retiring from arranging Sunday hikes. Now you can take one of your famous short cuts.

                                 Frank and all the hikers!

Leisure Group Hikes by Bill Lidkea

Do you have health problems that effects your stamina and /or your hiking pace?

Have you found it difficult to keep up with the group during your hike?

If so we have a hike for you; it's called the leisure group hike. Wed. 10 am, one and a half hours, usually 5-6 Km., stay together & no steep terrain.

To find the next Wed. meeting place call

Hike Ontario AGM

The Niagara Bruce Trail will host the 27th annual meeting of the members of Hike Ontario in St. Catherines at the Welland Canals Centre on October 19, 20th and 21st 2001 at Freighter's Food Emporium on Government Road. All hikers and walkers are welcome to attend.

Agenda We hope you join us and help us to promote walking, hiking, and trail development in Ontario.

Upcoming Hikes For 2001

NIAGARA END TO END -----MAY 19,20,21

LAURA SECORD---------------JUNE16

PORT TO PORT (MERRITTHON)-OCT 1

Call Frank for details 905-684-2090

For all the hikes go to the Hike Schedules

Book Review by Barb Skeleton

Waterfalls:The Niagara Escarpment by Jerry Lawton, photos Mikal Lawton, Boston Mills Press. Softcover,224 pgs.$24.95

It was wonderful to find a book with clear maps and precise instructions on how to find the local waterfalls.

The Niagara Escarpment Plan — Five Year Review

The Provincial government has launched a review of the Niagara Escarpment Plan(NEP) the land use plan which has regulated development on the N. Escarpment since 1985.The N.E. Plan has been admired world wide as a model land use plan which balances the needs of human population with the protection of the environment The timeline for the 5year review is extreme tight. Starting July 16th the hearing officers will hear presentations. There will be one week of presentation in each of Orangeville, St. Catherines, Owen Sound and Milton. A complete schedule of hearing dates, location and times is available on the Cone website www.niagaraescarpment.org or phone 416-960-2008




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