New boardwalk, Trail maintenance

Boardwalk installation

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Boardwalk completed in record time with help from eighteen cadets.
Boardwalk completed in record time with eighteen members of St Thomas Army Cadet Corps help.—Photo by Brian Wilsdon

The weather could not have been finer, when 18 army cadet volunteers and their leaders showed up to assist in setting the 45 eight foot panels into place for the new boardwalk. Due to the excellent prep work done by Loretta Vaughan and Richard Wright everything went smoothly. Loretta figured all day and many hands made light work. The installation was completed in a little over 3 hours. The cadets were mindful of each other and when one saw another getting tired, the other quickly stepped in. The cadets truly made their leaders proud.
Cathy, Jackie, Debbie and Loretta prepared a nice lunch for everyone, which we enjoyed at the Trout Hatchery. Special thanks to Kit for allowing us to use the facilities. Just a great setting for lunch and the cadets really enjoyed it. Special thanks also go to D J for supplying home made cookies for everyone.
Parkside Collegiate Institute students under the supervision of Mr Haskell assembled the 45 panels. Richard Wright and Brian King brought them down to the location. Four by five inch locust was used for the base and all the panels were two inches thick and 32 inches wide on 2 x 8 frames. It looks amazing. Thank you to all the volunteers. We could not have done it without you. Splendid job!

Trail maintenance

Build the Boardwalk Day this coming Saturday, April 16th.

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Meet at 8:30 am at the boardwalk across the road from the Port Stanley Fish Hatchery on Thomas Road off Union Road. The green space west of the hatchery is private property that we can park on. We will be installing a new boardwalk. St Thomas Army Cadets will also be helping. Lunch will be provided.
For more info contact Loretta at 519-782-7550.

Hiking

Loretta’s Presidents message

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As I write my last President’s Message I would like to say Thanks to the current Executive for all their support.
Walking has always been my passion since high school and my service to this club has been because of this devotion; and the desire to improve the trail and make it safer.
Our efforts as a club paid off as we celebrated our 40th Anniversary; all sections of the trail are now open; reroute off Sunset is completed; for safety reasons. Boardwalk funding and material ordered; just hoping the weather co-operates April 16th.
Our membership remains constant; but if each of us asked just one person to join our club, membership would increase.
There are many excuses for not taking responsibility but there are more for stepping up and doing what needs to be done.
If you are at all interested in keeping this trail and club alive please call and I will help mentor anyone.
Soon it will be Spring; so get out there and enjoy the best local hiking trail around.
Sincerely;
Loretta Vaughan
519-782-7550

Spirit Walk

Christmas Spirit Walk 2015

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Catfish Creek Conservation Authority and Elgin Hiking Trail Club present our annual Christmas Spirit Walk..
Catfish Creek Conservation Authority and Elgin Hiking Trail Club present our annual Christmas Spirit Walk..

The Spirit Walk is just around the corner. Bring your children or grand children to enjoy a scenic walk through the forest enjoying the choirs. Derek Drover will be entertaining in the school house with 13 young performers. Apple cider to warm the children before visiting Santa. Hope to see you all out their.

Executive

Presidents message

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Well after a very busy fall and a very successful 40th celebration our trail has never looked better!! Thank you to all who were able to help with Trail Maintenance!!
As we head into another very busy season; Christmas I hope to see you in Jan for a social event; details in Newsletter.
Our trail survey shows 121 people signing in at the Paynes Mills location and 107 signed in at the south end in Port Stanley. It would be nice to repeat the survey again next summer. Thank you all who took the time to sign in.
Maybe when things slow down in the New Year would you consider helping the club out? We are desperate for a full executive in April. Myself and others in current executive would be happy to help mentor or “co position” any position you are interested in.
We are also busy getting a supply list of lumber ready to do the board walk in April. We have a short time frame in which to get it done with the Grant money we received from Green Lane; before the fish arrive at The Lake Erie Salmon and Trout Farm.
Enjoy the winter; hope to see you on the trail or our Moonlit walk and wiener roast.
Loretta

40th Anniversary

40th celebration in Port Stanley

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Loretta, Brian, Eileene and Steve at 40th Celebration held in West room at Mackie's, Port Stanley
Loretta, Brian, Eileene and Steve at 40th Celebration held in West room at Mackie’s, Port Stanley

The day started with the hydro being out in Port Stanley, the weather was a bit chilly and windy for our 40th celebration, still 60 people came out for the Port Stanley Terminal Rail train to Whytes Park. Cathy Johnstone had a nice surprise of water and chocolate at the park which everyone definitely enjoyed. The children had fun poking their heads out of the Col. Talbot’s Animal Circus rail car. The commentary on the train was superb.

At the train station it was a bit too windy and people started to migrate to the warmth of Mackie’s. The ten hikers who got off at Union Station arrived thirty minutes later, Loretta did a great job motioning them along. As we walked along the harbour, waves were certainly foretelling of rain to come.

We had the West room at Mackie’s for the celebration and everyone was socializing and bringing up old memories. John and Jeanette Cervan greated guests at the entrance to Mackie’s. Kelly Jones did a great job of welcoming everyone and introducing our guest speakers. The Mayor of Central Elgin, David Marr, welcomed everyone and acknowledged the county of Central Elgin appreciate all the work the volunteers do to make the trail possible. He presented the EHTC with a Certificate of Congratulations which Loretta accepted on behalf of the club. Dan McNeil welcomed everyone. Steve Peters spoke to the history of the trail and stated parts of it would have been used many many years before by settlers and natives. Brian Wilsdon introduced our special guests and thanked the land owners for their continued support.

William Stewart was one of the visionaries for creating the trail. His wife Eileene Stewart and current president Loretta Vaughan cut the cake. Loretta, Lydia Driscoll and Dave Gibson (absent) were instrumental in reforming the club in 1989. The socializing continued afterwards.

A group of us went for turkey supper after at the Anglican church and Tom Friesen, president of Hike Ontario was able to join us.

A big thank you to Mackie’s for allowing us free use of their facilities. The Lale family have been a strong supporters of the club. A very, very special thank you to the amazing job the organizing committee of Brian King, Loretta Vaughan and Brian Wilsdon did in making the 40th celebration such a great success. Good job.

More photos of 40th celebration can be found on our Flickr site.

Anniversary

Celebrating our 40th year in October

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40th logo

You are cordially invited to join the Elgin Hiking Trail Club on October 3rd in Port Stanley as we celebrate 40 years since the inception of our trail. From our humble beginnings in 1975 when Brian Henson proposed establishing a walking trail in Elgin County, the 5 km trail was officially opened on September 27th in 1975 from then Woodland Farms Market (now car wash on Sunset Drive) to County Road 45 (John Wise Line). The trail is now 41 kilometers long and links Port Stanley on Lake Erie with the Thames Valley Trail at northern boundary of Township of Southwold.

This years events will start at ten thirty with a train ride aboard the scenic Port Stanley Terminal Rail train to White’s Flats and return to Port Stanley. People will have the opportunity to disembark at Union Station and hike the eight kilometers back to Port Stanley. This is hilly terrain, boots and poles recommended. The route back will take you along the west side of the harbour in Port Stanley and newly opened iconic main beach pier (after being closed for 16 years).

There will be a short ceremony in the west room at Mackie’s at one thirty with 40th anniversary cake and Mackie’s menu available. Fellowship will follow with past, present and prospective new members.

To participate on the train and hike please send $10 per person (cheque made out to Elgin Hiking Trail Club) care of Brian King, 28 Taylor Crescent, St Thomas ON N5R 5J4. We need you to reserve by September 23rd for booking sufficient seats on train. All who register for the train will receive a 40th anniversary badge as shown above. Hope to see you there.