COUREURS DE BOIS VOYAGUER TRAIL CLUB
General Meeting - Tuesday, 29th April, 2008
1. Phil opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and welcomed everybody and guests. The minutes of the last meeting on the blog and also on the back wall. Chuck introduced
Martine, Stephan Fabris’ sister. Two other new members; Keith Davies and Joan
Doucette.
2. UPCOMING DATES: (a) Westview Park potluck, Friday, 20th June. (b) Weekend in Mississagi Park, 15th to 17th August. Sign-up sheet on the back table. © Highway
Clean-up. Alan has arranged for vests and flags to be delivered to his house from
Belanger. Take place on 7th May, if raining, 10th May. Sign-up sheet on back table.
3. Trail clearing presented by Chuck Zietsma. Chuck suggested we adopt part of
a particular trail. A number of people already signed up, will keep us up to date as to
conditions. Criteria for a well-managed trail: one that would accommodate
comfortable, obstruction-free, single-file hiking. Should not exceed 12 kms. Sign-
up sheet at the back. Chuck will get a list of trails from the previous trail masters.
4. Elliot Lake Food Share Garden presented by Chuck Zietsma. This idea thought of
by Ingrid Farquhar. A proposal presented to City Council. After meetings with
various organizations and people, a Steering Committee has been formed with Phil
Barnes and Elizabeth Matheson so far. Chuck showed the design. About an acre,
split into four sections. City will provide the land and fence, to be located at the old
Soo College site. The food produced will be donated to the Food Bank, Maplegate,
Club 90, Men’s Support Centre and North Star Support Services. There are a
number of partners involved, including the high school, who hope to get a
greenhouse. Algoma Health Unit has a mandate to show public how to prepare food.
Sign-up sheet at the back.
5. Regarding the canes carved and presented to the Club by Franz Ohler. They have
been placed in the Civic Centre in a display case built by Grant. The canes were
presented by Franz in remembrance of his wife and will be awarded each year to the
male and female member of the Club who has contributed outstandingly for a one
year period. Franz also presented a carving of a hiker, which will be presented to the President each year.
6. Trans-Canada Trail Pavilion. (a) Motion by Alan Day we purchase 2 kms of the
Trans-Canada Trail for $100.00, in recognition of Paul Mark, recently deceased,
who was responsible for keeping so much of the trail in the Blind River area in good
condition; seconded by Phil Barnes. AIF. (b) There is now a new plaque, which
has been mounted at the pavilion - attended by Dan Andrews and Kirsten Spence,
local regional co-ordinators, based in Parry Sound. Also a sign indicating the
supporters of the Trail - there is an error on the panel and the correct information
will be replaced. © It is hoped that Valerie pringle, current Chairperson, will visit in
the fall. The executive eeting of the Voyageur Trail Association will be held on
Saturday, 3rd May, Alan will attend together with Diana Day and Elizabeth
Titherington.
7. Treasurer’s Report presented by Jean-Guy Letarte. At the last meeting in November
the balance was $1,600.00. After various deposits and expenses the current bank
balance is $3,800.00. Jean-Guy indicated Doug Ellenor, long-time member, is now in
Hillside Retirement Home and needs a few items. Chuck reported Peter Tucker has
bought a small fridge to hold Doug’s medication, cost $94. Shirley, Diana and
Ingrid have “adopted” Doug, in order to assist financially. The Club members
donated money to assist with the expenses.
8. Shelley McLennan planning a clean-up of the Cobre Trail on Thursday, 9th April, will
be an intermediate hike. Meet at Sears at 9:00 a.m. The trail needs to be GPS’d.
Mark said it has been done and will send information to Alan.
9. 50/50 won by John Franks - $29.00.
10 Guest speaker, Stephanne Fabris, introduced by Jerry Jean, who gave a very
interesting talk about the logging industry in the area from the 1840’s to the present.
11. Next meeting Tuesday, 17th June, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
12. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
