March 2017
AVON TRAIL TALES
A slender thread connecting St. Marys to Conestogo
Vice-President Jane Foster and her team have put togeth-
er an attractive Spring Hike Schedule. Please mark your
calendars and plan to join us on the trail. Donna Weitzel
joined the board and has made valuable contributions in
several areas including with this Newsletter. Carol Miller
joined the Hike Ontario January Board meeting via telephone conference; she reports Hike Ontario is urgently in
need of volunteers to fill several key positions including
President and Vice-president (see page 2). Terry Aitken,
assisted by Marj & Dave Boyer, has secured a new section
of trail east of Amulree which includes five new landowners. As well, Terry has finalized the Sandhills side trail – a
‘There & Back’ 3.5 km walk. He has also pursued a replacement sign for the St. Marys terminus of the Trail. Maria submitted our financial statement to the CRA. Our
thanks to Pat Ranney who completed a review of our accounts. Bruce Graham presented a proposal to celebrate
Canada’s 150th birthday – the Canada 150 Challenge – a
7 consecutive day hike, starting on the Grand Valley Trail,
joining the Avon Trail at Conestogo and ending in St.
Marys, 150 kilometers later! What a great way to spend 7
days in June! I attended a Landowner’s Relations Workshop hosted by the Bruce Trail Conservancy; one of the
presenters was a CN Police officer who explained that railway crossings, wherever they may
be, are only
legal at recognized level
road crossings.
Thanks to the
board and all
volunteers
who contribute in countless ways.
CN Police Officer & Antoin Diamond, Bruce Trail
Some areas
Conservancy Landowner Relations Officer
of need: a
newsletter
editor, a grass-cutting captain and Hike Ontario positions.
If you have an interest in any of these opportunities, please
speak to me. Thanks to our landowners with whom we
have had several valuable interactions over the past three
months, all of which contribute to enhancing an already
great trail.
BOARD 2017
President - Bernard Goward, Vice President - Jane Foster,
Treasurer - Maria Antonio, Secretary - Carolyn Goward, Terry
Aitken - Landowner Relations, Director & Hike Ontario
Representative - Carol Miller, Director - Donna Weitzel
Board Meetings: 3rd Monday of the month
Visit www.avontrail.ca
Betty who moved here from Kingston, and Gloria, a local, joined the
club when they retired in 2016. Both
comment on how warmly they were
welcomed. Hiking on the Avon Trail
has given them the opportunity to
enjoy the outdoors, to exercise and
to make new friends. To quote them
“the Avon Trail group has not only
Betty Fazakas & Gloria Hinz met, but exceeded our expectations”. Betty and Gloria we are
happy to Have you in the club!
Dennis Rawe
Ross McTaggert
Ross and Dennis have been on the Trail Maintenance team
for 5 and 8 years respectively. Ross, a club member for 15
years, is also a trail monitor and Dennis leads the construction crew. These 2 octogenarians are not deterred by the
hard physical labour required to cut trails through thick bush.
Thank you for the many hours dedicated to keeping the trails
clear and safe. You are an inspiration to us all!
April is coming, and with the better weather our Club's Trail
Monitors will be out on their sections for the first time since
last autumn. The Monitors' role is vital to the club in that they
not only keep the footpath clear and passable but they also
keep it safe. In April, Monitors will be out reducing trip hazards and checking out stiles and bridges to ensure that they
are safe and sturdy after the long winter. They will be refreshing blazes to ensure that walkers can easily follow our
beautiful path from end-to-end and they will report to the
maintenance crew any large fallen trees obstructing the footpath. In 2017 we have 36 dedicated Trail Monitors, all taking
time out of their busy lives to keep our beautiful trail open and
safe to walk.
Are you searching for a leadership opportunity which will
positively promote hiking and trail development in Ontario?
Hike Ontario has openings in important positions: President,
Vice President, Fund Raising Chair and committee members. These important positions need to be filled so that provincial advocacy and programs like our Insurance program
and Leadership courses can continue effectively.
If you have a love of the outdoors, an appreciation of the
magnificent system of trails that volunteers have created
across Ontario and leadership skills, we would love to speak
to you.
For more complete information about Hike Ontario,
please examine our website:
www.hikeontario.com
To get involved please contact [email protected]
Hike Ontario is a provincial
organization that supports
hiking, Trail Associations
and Hiking Clubs in Ontario.
We advocate for these
groups, engaging in partnerships with other services
across the province such as
the Canadian Mental Health
Tom Friesen (left) coaches Hike leaders
Association, Conservation
on a Leader Certification Course.
Authorities, Provincial Parks
and Festivals supporting
Hiking. We train new hikers in our Safe Hiking Course, hike
leaders through our Certified Hike Leader Program, Wilderness Day Hike Leader and Wilderness Trip Leader and offer
a course in Map, Compass and GPS use.
Invasive plants are harmful alien species whose spread,
through human activity, threatens the environment, the economy or society. There are some species along the trail that
are rated as harmful by various bodies including the Government of Ontario. But we live with them, it is the landowner's
responsibility to deal with these, some of which have been
established for many years. We, as stewards of the trail, need
to be cognizant of the problem when introducing new plant
material. Some of the invasive plants are Common Buckthorn, Dog Strangling Vine,
Garlic Mustard, Norway Maple, Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed, and certain
Honeysuckles. The Avon
Trail is concerned with the
environment and we do
have a program to enhance
the trail by planting trees
etc. wherever we can. The
selection of material needs to be judicious.
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I joined the meeting by phone.
Several executive roles need yet to be filled: President, Vice-president, Fundraising Chair etc.
Each club is to complete a trail accident insurance
survey with the number of members per club.
Youth hike programs website is a new site. Visit
yhp.hikeontario.com Workshops are offered to leaders, teachers, parents, clubs. A manual is provided.
There has been a significant uptake in courses offered by HO: 455 in 2015 to 504 in 2016 with a noticeable increase of interest in Leader courses, Navigation
and possible Wilderness Day Hike leaders.
Bill Mungall delivered a three minute message to a Parliamentary Committee concerning Bill 100, An Act to
Support Trails in Ontario. As a follow-up, he was invited to be part of a working group to further discuss this
issue.
Web and social media: many clubs said they successfully use Paypal for accepting payments online with
no problems or downside.
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1975 – The Avon Trail begins: a letter to the Editor by Jim
Essex and Dr. Crosby Kirkpatrick presented the idea.
January, 1976 the Avon Trail News wrote, “it became not
just a local trail past our boyhood camp of 40 years ago,
but one stretching along the main body of the Avon River
through to the KW area in the east to St. Marys in the
West.”
November 20, 1975, official opening by MP Bill Jarvis.
Some early landowners: Messers Brubaker, Elois, Stanley, Uriah Martin, Ed Bergman and Ross Hyde.
Thames Valley Trail Association invited to a meeting and
a hike on our trail.
Presentation by Natural Resources officer on the HICKSON TRAIL. A group in Woodstock, the “Men of the
Trees”, interested in a trail from Hickson to Woodstock. It
was mentioned in later documents, that the Avon Trail
would like to link up to this trail.
On Oct 21, 1975: the trail extended about 40 miles, divided into 8 sections.
Enthusiastic group of Toronto hikers, “The Trail Planners”, led by Harvey Machlin, interested in mapping the
trail in order to produce a trail guide book.
A record started of those finishing ‘End-to-end’ hikes.
“Ontario Hiking Day” initiated; Avon Trail takes part.
Weekly hikes scheduled; use of trail leaders & guides.
July 10, 1976, official linking of Avon Trail to Thames
Valley Trail in St. Marys.
Manager of Royal Bank in Kitchener gave club enough 2
x 4’s to build 2 stiles.
October 30, 1976 Avon trail completed end-to-end.
AugustNovember
Hike in the
Dolan
Natural
Incorporated
25,TJ
1976
as “The
Avon Trail”.
Area, Stratford
Representative
of The Avon Trail attended the
“Federation of Ontario Hiking Trails Associations” organizing conference, now known as ‘Hike Ontario’.
use for all and will provide a variety of year-round uses for all
age groups, including walking, cycling, cross country skiing,
snow shoeing and other outdoor and nature activities.
The estimated cost for all of the required work is $95,000. To
date, there has already been over $20,000, committed to the
project, and the Hickson Trail Committee is actively fundraising
for remaining funds needed.
All donations to the project are greatly appreciated. Please
make donations payable to the Township of East ZorraTavistock and indicate that it is for the “Hickson Trail”. Cheques
can be mailed to the Township at Box 100, 90 Loveys St., Hickson, ON N0J 1L0. The Township office can also accommodate
donations by debit or online banking payment (e-Transfer not
available). Charitable tax receipts will be issued from the Township for all donations over $20. Donations of $100 or more will
be recognized on the EZT web site, with your permission.
For more information, or to volunteer with the Hickson Trail
Committee, please contact:
Luke and Delores Schwartzentruber
Ross Campbell (Chair): [email protected]
Markley Bond (Secretary): [email protected]
Q: How did you get involved with the trail?
A: We inherited the land from Luke's parents in 1983.
Q: What are the positive aspects of being landowners on
the trail?
A: We enjoy sharing our little of corner of nature which is
part of God's creation. We are just the keepers. We
enjoy meeting people when we are out and about.
We are excited when someone uses the trail. It is a
positive experience. It enhances the land. There has
never been garbage. We are happy with peoples' respect for our property. Extended family and friends
have been able to make use of the trail, as have
church groups.
Q: Have there been any negative aspects?
A: Not really. It is important to enjoy good communication with the trail directors and monitors. We haven't
had people using the trail for undesirable reasons e.g.
setting up a grow-op. We wish adequate parking was
more possible.
Q: What would you say to prospective landowners?
A: We would encourage them. Hikers are quiet and respectful.
A wise old doberman was wandering though
his own way.
The Hickson Trail Committee, in co-operation with the
Township of East Zorra-Tavistock, Upper Thames Conservation Authority and local landowners, are working to
open up the final section of the “Hickson Trail”, which
runs between the village of Hickson and City of Woodstock. This final section, between Braemar Sideroad
and Hickson, is also located on the old railway line property, which has been out of use for over 50 years. The
project involves constructing two bridges, clearing the
brush and trees that have grown up on the rail bed, and
smoothing the trail surface. Once the work is complete,
the entire length of Hickson Trail will be open and free to
the countryside when he spied a rabbit and
took off in hot pursuit of it into the woods.
However, he lost the rabbit as well as losing
While pondering what to do next, he became aware of the approach of a young cougar. Though terrified, he had the presence
of mind to chew on some old bones. Spitting them out he announced loudly, "That young cougar was pretty nice. I wonder if
there are any others around?"
Hearing this the cougar took off. However, a squirrel had been
watching the scene from a tree and hightailed it after the young
cougar to give him the true story. Catching up with the cougar, he
told him what had really happened. Now angry cougar returned
with the squirrel on his back.
The doberman saw him returning, so proclaimed in a loud voice,
"Where did that squirrel go who was looking for another cougar?"
The terrified cougar beat a retreat again.
Moral of the story: "Don't mess with old folk!"
DATE
DESCRIPTION
CONTACT
SUNDAY MARCH 26
Sawyer’s Bush, Hwy 23
Jane [email protected]
TUESDAY MARCH 28
Trail Worker’s Workshop # 1
Stratford
Trail Worker’s Workshop # 2
Waterloo
Roth Park, Woodstock –
RSVP requested
Tick Talk: Lyme Disease in
Ontario
Go-to-Blazes Day
Bernard
[email protected]
Amulree New Woodlot Trail
Bruce
[email protected]
TUESDAY APRIL 4
SATURDAY APRIL 8
TUESDAY APRIL 11
SAT & SUN APRIL 2223
SATURDAY APRIL 29
SATURDAY MAY 13
SATURDAY MAY 27
SATURDAY JUNE 3
SUNDAY JUNE 4
Bernard
[email protected]
Bonnie
[email protected]
Jane [email protected]
Bruce
[email protected]
Trilliums & Pot-luck social –
[email protected]
RSVP requested
Cedar Bush Boardwalk &
Jane [email protected]
Marsh Marigolds
Oxford Thames River,
Bonnie
[email protected]
Beachville
Carl Richardson
helps move a bridge
Trout Creek, RBC Employees
Bernard
using his Skid-steer.
[email protected]
& friends
SATURDAY JUNE 10
Health Valley at St. Jacob’s
SATURDAY JUNE 10
Canada 150 Challenge –7 days
limited space. April 30 sign up.
Canada Day Parade –
preparation & walk in parade
SATURDAY JULY 1
Jamie
www.hember.ca/grouphikes.
www.avontrail.ca/hikes
Bernard
[email protected]
$150,000 Ontario Trillium Grant received July 1, 2016 to be used for:
• Clearing from Blyth to Maitland River
• Surface grading
• Access control, signage, bollards & gates for all 54 points
• Bridges- Huron County, McCall Bridge, Perth County Rd.154 Bridge
Goal: to complete projects by July 1 2017 for Canada’s 150th Birthday and
the G2G Canada 150 End-to-end Challenge
Call for Volunteers:
• Stewardship Groups for trail maintenance
• Committee members for Projects, Operations, Funding, Communications, Social Media & Events
Events:
• ‘Spring on the Trail’ – Saturday, May 13th
• Golf Tournament – June 14th
• Canada Day 150 End-to-end Challenge,
• International Plowing Match – September 19 – 23.
Information & Inquiries:
• Joel Phelan – Chair of Perth Harvest Pathway, G2G Rail Trail
[email protected]
Power Pucks The Ultimate Cookbook, for Hockey
Families
½ cup natural peanut butter, crunchy or smooth
1/3 cup raw honey or pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup large flake rolled oats
2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
½ cup ground flax or chia seeds
Mix together peanut butter,(adjust for consistency) honey or syrup and vanilla.
Add oats, coconut and flax or chia seeds.
Scoop 2 tablespoons of mixture and roll into a
ball, using your hands (wet hands make it less
sticky).
Flatten with a spatula or floured bottom of a
glass. Place on a tray.
Makes 12
Optional ¼ cup chocolate chips, melt for the
tops
Smooth ¾ teaspoon chocolate on top of each
puck.
Refrigerate 15 minutes, at least. Freeze up to 3
months. If it’s a hot day, keep in mind chocolate
melts. Wrap in waxed paper, pack in your knapsack, now Take a Hike!
Paul Scott
Neil Schlotzhauer & Lorna MacKenzie
Dennis Tuling
Rachel Anne MacInnes & Robert Templeton
Roger & Elaine Cook
Karen Scales & Martin Rohn
Hans Dijk & Cathy Winhold
Roselee Karlinski
Betty Fazakas
Gail Bennett & Michael Corbett
Maxine
Schaefer
Scott
MacLeod lifts 35 ft poles into
Dorothy Van Esbroeck
Patplace
Ranney
for bridge support
Dan & Denise Kane, & Ben
Christine & Mike McCarthy
Meghan Callan
Rob & Meghan Bracken, Claire, Naomi
Left: At the recent
Hike Leader’s
Certification Course,
at Wildwood.
L to R: Bernard
Goward, Tom Friesen, Bruce Graham,
Louise Gibson,
Maranda MacKean,
Maria Antonio.
Above: Tuesday Morning Walkers enjoy a brisk hike in February along
the St. Marys Rail Trail.
Photo: Brenda Tarr