Coureurs
de Bois
General
Meeting September 18th/2018
Members Present – 27
Laura C. opened the meeting @ 7:05 pm
Guest
Speaker - author Lindsay Paton Lodge
The author, was
born in Toronto, and was an animal and nature lover from an early age. She had
hoped to become a fish and wildlife biologist. Enroute to achieving that goal,
in
1968 she met “Trapper” (the King of Algonquin Park), and thus began a lifelong relationship
and her life-long adventure of living off the land in the remote wilderness;
real wilderness survival - no helicopter dropping supplies, no camera crew a
few feet away, no doctor just a phone call away.
Paton spoke about
her book King of Algonquin Park which
describes the colourful life of Joseph Emmett Chartrand
(b- 1914- d
2000).
At a young age he
(age 8) and his sister (age 6) were left to fend for themselves after the death
of their mother, and after their father never returned home one day. The
young “Trapper” eventually got his little sister out to civilization and she
was raised by his mothers’ sister. Being self-reliant, resilient and beholden
to no-one he survived by living off the land. He lived in old root houses
from the square timber days, and an old
bark tepee he found in the forest, and in caves. He fished, hunted and trapped
and was on his first “River drive” (logs)) at age 14.
He was the
infamous and notorious poacher of Algonquin Park. He was known as the “Beaver
Man”, “King of the Long Runners”, and finally the “King of Algonquin Park”.
He walked everywhere in the park, because he was poaching beavers
illegally, and didn’t want to be caught. He wore his snowshoes backwards and
made stilts with moose hooves carved on the bottom so the Park Rangers wouldn’t
catch him.
The book
chronicles the adventures and she has written a second book called The King’s
Ransom, and is currently working on a third.
Paton had
copies of her book for sale at the meeting. It is also available on Amazon.ca as a download or
signed copies from the author at her webpage at
The presentation
was filled with history from the voyageur times and Trapper’s descent from the
real voyageurs. The book is full of wilderness experiences and knowledge that
bring much laughter and tears to the reader. Its the real thing.
The Club Members
virtually swarmed the author and purchased books. The author thoroughly enjoyed
her evening with the club members and hopes to attend again in the future.
Minutes
of the previous meeting were accepted by Phill B. and seconded by Judy M.
President’s
Report
-
A Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was hosted by the City
of Elliot Lake on Sept 15th.
The Highway Clean-up from Depot Lake took
place in May. At the end of September /
beginning of October another clean-up is to be scheduled from Depot to the
Airport.
Shared
Use Trails- The executive of the Shared Use Trails
is trying to get people hiking. Brad
Parsons is the liaison.
The City will be making “building lots”
(commercial) on Fox Drive. This will
impact ATV, snowmobile, and hiking trails around Porridge Lake.
The VTA has a new website. They also have new trailhead signs. Their AGM will be held in Iron Bridge this
year.
We have an emergency simulation this year
put on by the city. Marty, Jackie,
Emily, Jim, Chris, and Tom, have volunteered to take part.
Trail
Masters Report -
We cleared the Cobre Trail up to Blue Sky
Lake and Vasseau Lake. 4-5 km are left
to do.
Marty T. is hoping to have another trail
clearing by the end of this year.
A section of the VTA trail from Spanish to
Blind River needs to be cleared and marked.
Elliot Lake > McGivern > Granary
Lake, approx. 1 km needs to be marked.
It is very close to being completed (our section of the VTA trail).
Crooked Creek needs a bridge.
Treasurer’s
Report -
Jackie S. reported all transactions since
our last meeting.
Motion to approve by Jackie S. Second by Gerry J.
Old/Ongoing
Business
-
A motion to approve closing the research
on separating from the VTA was made by Laura C., and was seconded by Jean-Guy.
New
Business
–
Members to pay Donna C. for membership
dues. You no longer need to pay through the VTA. Donna will accept cash or a cheque. Receipt to be issued.
Xmas
Party -
The Christmas Party will be on December
7th at The Moose Lodge. Sheila H. is
organizing the event. More details will
be posted on the blog.
A new Hike Leaders Course will be offered
by Jerry J. More details will be on the
blog.
Jean-Guy will be investigating getting a
Spot Satellite for more of our difficult hikes as there seemed to be a problem
on a recent hike with communication on a Cobre Trail hike.
Judy M.
showed us a prototype cloth sling bag for use when we are hiking to
collect garbage. She hopes to have some
to donate at the Christmas party and is investigating if the Quilting Guild can
make some more.
A motion was made to give a stipend to
Paton Lindsay Lodge for her talk on the King of Algonquin Park. Motion to approve by Jackie S, second by
Emily W.
Meeting adjourned @ 8:45 pm.
Next General Meeting is scheduled for
November 20th @ 7pm at the Snowbirds Clubhouse.