Winter 2004
Editor: Barbara Henderson 72778 Con. 6 Rd. RR #1, Wellandport, ON, LOR 2J0
Phone 905 386 6543 FAX 905 386 7400 email philbarb.henderson@sympatico.ca
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Winter 2004 | |
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Editor: Barbara Henderson 72778 Con. 6 Rd. RR #1, Wellandport, ON, LOR 2J0
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Web Version: John Lye email jlye@brocku.ca
Deadline for inclusion in the Spring 2004 issue is February 1.
Things continue to percolate in Niagara. We have filled two important Board positions - welcome to our new Treasurer, Lori Forstinger, and our new Media Relations, Paul Davies.
Neither Frank Delogu nor I had ever been to a BTA AGM, and since the NBTC is hosting the 2004 meeting, we thought an education was in order. Our congratulations on the very well run meeting, banquet, mixer, hikes and workshops put on by the Blue Mountain Chapter in Collingwood in September. We very much appreciated the time members of their organizing committee took with us to answer our myriad questions. As AGM Coordinator, Frank will be providing more information in the coming months. Note for now - the date is Friday evening (mixer), Saturday (meeting, hikes, workshops, and banquet) and Sunday (hikes) September 17 - 19, 2004.
Note that our own Club's AGM is this April, tentatively scheduled for the 25th.
There is quiet progress being made on the re-establishment of the optimum route with the CNR, City of Niagara Falls, Region of Niagara and the MTO, and temporary moving of the trail with respect to the trail bridge over the QEW at Sandplant Hill near the CNR. Jim Rainforth and I had the opportunity to meet with representatives of all the aforementioned parties, and the general contractor, in a meeting last week, and subsequently visit the construction site. Our trail people are now working on plans to temporarily move the trail away form the heavy bridge construction on the west side, near Screaming Tunnel. There is no final word yet on government funding.
The acquisition of the Fox and Arbuthnot properties in the Ball Avenue - Merritt Street area of Merritton is now well under way, and we are in the process of finalizing plans to assemble a Project Team for the cleanup. We are still in the process of finding a Team Leader (hint!). Margaret Kalogeropoulis, our Landowner Relations Director, and I will continue the liaison work with the City and neighbors.
So it looks like a busy year coming up - on the trail, besides all the usual maintenance work that has to be done, we will have projects on the go at the CNR/QEW and Ball Avenue in Merritton. Add to this the hosting of the 2004 BTA AGM and are plates are becoming quite full - hope it all leaves time for hiking!
Join your fellow hikers at the Beacon Motor Inn at 5:00 pm. The Prime Rib Dinner is $9.95 plus tax, tip and beverage. Those wishing to attend, please contact Grace Bevan at 905-934-4815 before Tuesday, December 2.
Santa has generously agreed to lead two hikes for the NBTC during this special holiday season.
Join Santa for a hike on Tuesday, December 16 at the Valley Park Community Centre, Upper Stony Creek The two hour hike begins at 7:00 p.m.. Come out and see the lights in Upper Stony Creek.
Meet Santa in the Dufferin Island parking lot on Saturday, December 20 at 7:15 p.m. for a three hour hike. Enjoy the Festival of Lights and the holiday atmosphere at the Falls. For further information, contact Santa at 905-945-7984.
The 2002 audit conducted by BTA headquarters pointed out 15 safety related items ranging from exposed angle iron to the need to repair or replace bridges. All of these items have been addressed including two new bridges built and one more to be replaced. I encourage all trail captains to keep an eye out for any problems that may occur in your section so that we can take care of them before the next audit due in 2005.
Welcome to new trail captains Al Heddema and Trudy Senesi and thanks to retiring trail captain Paul Bateson for his efforts.
We are always in need of new trail captains due to retirements and I encourage anyone who enjoys a nice walk and a making a contribution to our Trail to contact me for details about available sections. Being a trail captain requires walking from end to end on your section at least twice during the year and removing obstructions on the trail. Many trail captains do this more often to make sure that blazes are clear even when foliage crowds in on the trail during the summer. It also means trimming weeds and small branches away from the path. Trail Captains need not be individuals and the duties could easily be accomplished by a team of hikers who enjoy walking together. Sections are typically 2 to 4 kilometers in length, just an easy hour's walk. For specialized and heavy work contact the Trail Maintenance Director, Dave Walters at (905) 646-2461 or david.walters@sympatico.ca.
Thanks to the many who have accepted books of tickets to sell on Marion Patten's oil painting, On The Twenty. If you haven't yet bought a ticket ask your hike leader at your next hike. A ticket is just $2 or $5 for three.
There are still books of tickets to be distributed and I appeal to your generosity to share in this worthwhile fund raising project. If you would like to sell a few books, or if you are unable to make contact with a ticket seller, please contact Keith Rae at 905-892-6633.
Please try and have your tickets sold by February or March if possible. The fall, Christmas and New Year periods present many sales opportunities. People are quite impressed when shown the picture of the painting found in your sales kit- and the price is right!
All you have to do is ask. Many thanks to our sellers and buyers!
The Niagara End to End hike is scheduled for May 22 - 24. Plan to join Fred Azzopardi for this wonderful spring hike. Fun, plentiful check points and happy hikers will make for a great time. For further information contact Fred at 905-735-2345.
Congratulations to three of our members, Tys Murre, Everett Collins and Fred Azzopardi, who recently completed the Bruce Trail from Queenston to Tobermory.
A special thanks to Lou and Judy Gaudier for the beautiful meal at their home to celebrate the event.
Wishing Judy a speedy recovery after an injury prevented her from completing the trail with her fellow hikers.
Special Thanks, Fred Azzopardi
Non-profit organization offers five 6-day wilderness base camps annually in the Canadian Rockies from mid-July to mid-August.
Land costs approximately $650 p/p. Includes return bus transportation from Banff to trailhead, tent accommodation, hot water, wholesome meals, camp staff, guided day hikes, evening campfire and sing-song.
Hikers carry only a day pack, but must be fit for mountain hiking. For a free brochure contact: e-mail: skyhiker@telusplanet.net or Ontario volunteer Harry Moerschner, 705-445-0267, e-mail: moersch@bmts.com
BTA calendars are now available. Price is $7.00 including tax. If interested, call Jim Rainforth at 905-563-7687.
A warm welcome to these new Niagara Bruce Trail Club members:
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John Bacher
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Margaret Jones
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Any birdwatcher, stargazer or snowshoe enthusiast knows the inherent pleasures of walking. But walking is more than an enjoyable mode of transportation. It can also improve your fitness, health and mental well-being.
The above is an excerpt from Walking: The Activity of a Lifetime, a pamphlet available from Active Ontario. Copies are available from Publication Ontario 1-800-668-9938.
And, as always,
Happy Hiking!
Return to the Niagara Bruce Trail Club Main Page
HTML mark-up by John Lye November 29,
2003
