The executive have agreed that we need to postpone our AGM till after covid controls... things are going well..
We have approximately 100 members, many new ones,
We received our stipend from the city of Elliot lake.
We purchased or are purchasing two new pruning saws and we have cleared 20 trails (more than most years). Some trails have been done more than once.
We have continued to have unofficial hikes on our usual days. We are just groups of hikers going out together, not Coureur de Bois sanctioned hikes. Certified leaders are still organizing and leading those hikes. Safe distancing rules are in place, re car pooling and hiker spacing. The distancing has not had much effect on diminishing conversations however.
Gerry has offered to organize the snow shoe lending again this winter if any members are in need.
Dec. 24 hike will be to Horne Island and Jim is planning a cookout (hotdog and cocoa) that day.
Three more members (Jim, Tim and David) took the safe chain saw course through the Shared Use Trail committee and already have made use of it a few times.
Our sections of the VTA have all been cleared and are in good shape except for the Red Briffet hill that is on the agenda for the spring.
We did the Victoria Mountain trail and the Cobre lake trail this fall... both long and rewarding hikes.. Semiwhite lake trail was scheduled but rained out. Nicky promises another go next year.
Jim B, mini Jim (Sue L) and Emily continue finding and marking trails in the Bellinham bush and the Woodpecker Nework above Slipper lake. The Woodpecker has been marked with the white plastic markers and that has made a big difference. Yeah all from us.
Our trailmasters, Sue and Jim, and Nicky and Gerry deserve accolades for the work put in organizing us and clearing themselves. Gerry has been keeping the saws in great repair, sharp, clean and starting well. Yeah all from us !
Marty and Astrid and Ron have cleared on their own a few times as well.
The VTA has decided to stop publishing a hard copy of the Guidebook. It gets out of date, is expensive to produce and does not readily reflect changes and conditions. We are working on an on line version that people can download the pertinent sections as needed and conditions of trails can be reflected in a more timely manner. Most of the initial cost will be covered by existing funds. More to come on those issues as we learn of it.
Jackie has been our designate to the Shared Use Committee that has restarted this past month (our stipend and the 3 spaces on the chainsaw course were a direct result of her work). Taking care of the books and correspondence has also been her task. Yeah Jackie from us.
In short, we are in good shape, the equipment we have is in excellent repair, our finances are great, the trails in good nick, new and active hikers are keeping us growing, (Donna keeping tabs on membership thankfully, ) (Oh, mine are due this month... shazza..) but the real star of our club is the mile after mile of wondrous trails and nature we have at our doors...
Big Yeah for Elliot Lake hiking
Good year we had, even better next year..
See you on the trails...
