Friday, December 14, 2007

NEW PRESIDENT OF CBIH


Above Photo: December 8th 2007 Rollie Coombes (L) presents the CBIH club presidents pin to Joe MacKinnon (R). Joe has become the 4th president of the (CBIH) Cape Breton Island Hoppers in the clubs 10th year as a member of the Canadian Volkssport Federation (CVF).



Above Photo: The Island Hoppers 2nd Past-President Phil Irons takes this opportunity too present Rollie Coombes with a Past Presidents pin. Rollie becomes the third past president of the CBIH and has also taken over the position of Director Atlantic Region for the Canadian Volkssport Federation (CVF).

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

NEW EXECUTIVE

I am very pleased to announce that CBIH has completed its Annual General Meeting with an overwhelming support of a new and full slate of Executive members and all committees are filled. The club is in excellent hands and I wish you all the best of luck and good healthy walking. Rollie

YOUR NEW EXECUTIVE MEMBERS:

President: Joe MacKinnon

Vice President: Elsie Buck

Treasurer: Lucy Nardini

Secretary: Judy Lorway

Ways & Means: Barb Thistle, Cal Thistle

Membership: Carmel Coffin

Public Relations: Doug Grant

Trails Committee Coordinators: Joe MacKinnon, Elsie Buck
Trails Committee Members: Shirley Pettigrew, Carol Hiscock, Doug Grant, Cathy Grant, Rollie Coombes, Ann Coombes

Past President: Rollie Coombes

Joe MacKinnon has been elected to the Board of Directors of "PATHWAYS CAPE BRETON".

Rollie Coombes is the Canadian Volkssport Federation's Atlantic Region Director elect.

Please note that I will continue to look after the website and I am looking for new photos and stories about walking in Cape Breton with the Island Hoppers. Rollie

PATHWAYS CAPE BRETON

Presents a guided walk on Saturday 8 Nov @ 10:00am

St Ann's Gaelic College

Walk Leader, Bethsheila Kent of Pathways Cape Breton

This is not an IVV sanctioned walk, however a fun thing to do and a good opportunity to check out the trails at St Anns.

Also there is a flea market, baked goods, The college gift shop has an end of the season sale!!

AFTER THE WALK DON'T FORGET THE ANNUAL CLUB PARTY! PARTY! PARTY!


"Last Party For the season with your walking friends"!


Ann and Rollie Coombes will host the "end of the year Pot-luck".


Come out for the FUN of it!


WHERE: 364 York Street, Glace Bay


DATE: Saturday, 8 December, 7:00pm

more info required: bretonhoppers@hotmail.com

Monday, November 12, 2007

LAST WALK, LAST PARTY, ANNUAL MEETING

WALK AND BIKE FOR LIFE
Active Transportation Presentation with Gil Penalosa
Nov. 28, 2007 @ 4:30pm
Cape Breton University (Royal Bank Theatre)
Nov. 28, 2007
BayPlex, Glace Bay @ 7:00pm
Nov. 29, 2007
Centre 200, Sydney @ 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Active Transportation Coalition (AcTrac)
c/o NS Health Promotion & Protection * Mxxham Centre Suite 2 * 380 Kings Rd. * Sydney, NS B1S 1A8
Tel: (902) 563-2380 * Fax: (902) 563-2565 chishoco@gov.ns.ca
LAST GROUP/GUIDED WALK FOR
2007

The Island Hoppers will be in Sydney on Sunday 18 Nov.
This is a Guided Walk using our Year Round Walk Event.
Meet at the Parking Lot Cambridge Suites @ 1:30 for registration.
We will Start Walking at 2:00pm sharp!
This is a 10k walk event with an optional 5k for those who prefer a shorter route.



ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
"focus on membership"


The clubs annual general meeting (AGM) will take place at the Atlantic SuperValue Store in Sydney River.

SATURDAY, NOV. 24th @ 2:00pm, please register by 1:45pm

This is a very important meeting and the only meeting that we have throughout the year.
Approval for a new club executive, annual club membership fees, annual fees to CVF.
Walk committees and scheduling for future walk events.
We are in need of a publicity coordinator/public relations.
Lets keep this club going, help keep our walking program active!

A more specific agenda to be published soon.



LAST CHANCE TO PARTY!
"For the season with your walking friends"!

Ann and Rollie Coombes will host this years "end of the year party/pot-luck".

Come out for the FUN of it!

WHERE: 364 York Street, Glace Bay

DATE: Saturday, 8 December, 7:00pm

2008 Walk Schedule

A copy of our schedule for 2008 is now available, ask for a copy at the next walk or contact the CBIH executive for information.

bretonhoppers@hotmail.com

The schedule is also available online at:

http://www.capebretonislandhoppers.com/

and is found in the link "Events". (maybe under construction and may not be completed at this time)

Monday, November 05, 2007

WALK RESCHEDULED DUE TO NOEL

WHAT NOEL OFF THE COAST OF LOUISBOURG WOULD LOOK LIKE IF I HAD DARED TO GO OUT FOR A PICTURE!



As most of you are aware we were forced to cancel the Guided Walk Event on Sunday, 4 Nov due to the Tropical Storm NOEL.


The GW will be rescheduled for Sunday, 11 Nov. 2007


Registration 1:30pm Walk Start Time 2:00pm


Colliery Lands Park, Ellsworth Ave., New Waterford.


Due to weather and trail conditions we may have to use an alternate route other then the Davis Trail that was planned for this event.


PLEASE NOTE:


November 11 is also Remembrance Day, all ceremonial activities traditionally end on the 11th hour of the 11th day,The Poppy is then placed on memorials or gravesites at this time, therefore we will not be breaking any protocols for this special day of Remembrance for our veterans.



Lest We Forget!

Thursday, November 01, 2007

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

A SHORT MEETING!!!:


MEETING:

The clubs AGM for this year will be held on Saturday, November 24th @ 2pm.

The Community Room, SuperValue, Sydney River.

An agenda for this years meeting will be published shortly.
Members are asked to email or call in and make suggestions for discussion at this meeting.
Candidates for club positions are also required.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Margaree Valley

Marsh Brook Trail

The weather cooperated for this very lovely walk along the Marsh Brook Trail/Road in East Margaree.
Fantastic fall colours greeted the 24 walkers who ventured out from different parts of the island on a cloudy and what look to be a rainy day. We were not disappointed the valley proved to be a wonderful place to walk, the trail is very compact and even with all the rain the previous night there were few puddles along the route. The walk leader Phil Rice showed the group a small waterfall and rapids and an unofficial picnic area hidden off the trail. This was a delightful area to take another break and enjoy the beauty of the Margaree Valley
Kathi Rice headed back home early to warm up the soups and hot meal that she prepared for the club members after this great walk into the heart of the Margaree Valley. Kathi out did herself on this occassion providing a great lunch and wonderful hospitality. This writer especially enjoyed the Chili, the soup, the pasta and the neighbours biscuits and a good hot cup of tea.
Thanks you Kathi and Phil we enjoyed the day and evening.

A special place along the River to sit and enjoy the natural beauty of the Margaree Valley. see more pictures in Photo Gallery!

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Letter from Graham Fawcett

Message From Graham Fawcett, CVF President

Hello all,

Blessed by incredible weather, good spirits, excellent walks and a lot of friendship, the combined group of walkers from the Club Volkssport-Nord Sud and the Dartmouth Volkssport Club have returned to the mainland from a week of walking on the Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Congratulations to Lionel and Lisette, plus all the others who pitched in to help make this a most memorable Volkssport event.

Imagine more than 150Volkssporters on five tiny islands - that's visibility!

I have begun to receive some pictures taken last week and will put up the best that I receive, if people want to send them to me by email attachment at gfwcettt@rogers.com.

The web site address to see the pictures already posted is:

http://web.mac.com/grahamfawcett/iWeb/Site/Magdalen%20Islands.html

Bookmark it for future reference and visit often to see the most recent additions.

Again, congratulations to all involved. Your hard work over the past year to make this possible had paid off.

I know the participants will be talking about this past week for years to come.

Graham

WALK SUNDAY 09 SEPT

FIRST MEMORIAL WALK EVENT

On Sunday Sept 9th the CBIH will hold its first annual memorial walk in honour of Shirley Boutillier.

The Walk Event Start Point is the junction of Trout Brook Rd and Ben-George Road Marion Bridge off Hwy 327.

Registration begins at 1:30pm. Walk Time 2:00pm

In accordance with the wishes of Shirley's family there will only be a very short dedication and we will step off as per the posted time, this was one of Shirley's reminders to the walk leaders--- "its 2 o'clock time to get walking".

Bill and Family have invited the group to their home at 35 Sherwood Dr Marion Bridge, this is a very short distance from the Walk Start Point located off the Ben-George Road.

There will be a pot luck dinner immediately after the walk event, please bring any type of food item that you may specialize in.

The Ways and Means committee (Barb & Cal) will also supply a bbq of hamburgers/hotdogs & soft drinks.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

CBIH TEMP CLUB EXECUTIVE CHANGES


Island Hoppers,

After ten years of walking with you as a member of the club, the original trails coordinator and being a founding member of The CBIH and the president of the club for approx. 5- 6 years it is now time to take a leave from club duties.

Today (Sunday 05 August 20007) was my last official day as the club president. Joe MacKinnon and Elsie Buck will look after the duties of the club president or as care takers until 24 November 2007.

Nominations for a new club president, vice president, treasurer, membership will have to be filled in the upcoming club annual general meeting. Elections for these posts must be completed on Saturdy 24 November.

I will be working with Elsie and Joe to help maintain a smooth transition of a new executive for the upcoming year and in fact we have just completed a new 2008 schedule, the new schedule will be available for distribution in late October.

The President of The Canadian Volkssport Federation (CVF) Graham Foster and the CVF Board of Directors have invited or elected me to be the Director of Atlantic Region to replace Lynda Kanne who has held that position for the past four years.

The CVF constitution does not allow for a third consecutive 2 year term for this position. I have accepted the Boards decision and will become the Director Atlantic Region effective 06 August 2007 and will complete this term during the Annual General Convention to be held in Wolfville NS during the weekend 23-25 May 2008 with a possible extension until 2009.

I do not want to hold the position of CBIH President and Director Atlantic Region at the same time due to a possible conflict of interest and the work load that will be thrust upon me as a new director within the CVF.

However I can and will remain as an ordinary member and Past President of CBIH.

The Island Hoppers will and must continue as Cape Bretons only island wide club I ask all of you to please help Joe and Elsie to continue this club.

A club president is not the club; the club is its members and more importantly it is the active membership that will continue to walk for fun, fitness and friendship that make up this wonderful organization.

With deep affection for all of you,

Rollie Coombes
Director Atlantic Region & Past President CBIH

Thursday, July 12, 2007

WALKING ADVENTURES INTERNATIONAL, BUS TOUR

UISGE BAN FALLS 2nd Walk for 2007 Upadated Information on The Walk as of 12 July 2007 plus a short video as compiled by "Hike The Highlands".

http://hikethehighlandsfestival.wordpress.com/2007/07/06/uisge-ban-falls-video/

Location:
BADDECK FORKS

Date:
Aug 13, 2007 Time:1:15pm

Contact:
Rollie Coombes

Phone:
902-849-0747 or cell: 565-6256

Email: bretonhoppers@hotmail.com

Web: http://www.capebretonislandhoppers.com/


All participants are requested to meet at the Telegraph House, 479 Chebucto Street, Village of Baddeck before 1:15pm (13:15hrs). If all goes well we should be walking on or about 1:30pm.

We will convoy or motorcade to the Start Point with the tour bus "Walking Adventures International" and their tour guide Debbie Zimel.

We will leave our cars along the gravel road 3k from the provincial park.near the small, recently reconstructed, wooden bridge.

After the walk we will hitch a ride back to our cars with the tour group.

Please note "for those walkers who want to do 5k only", they may continue to drive to the provincial park and wait for the 10k main group to arrive who will be walking to the Provincial Park. from the bridge area.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

LOUISBOURG DINNER SATURDAY 21 JULY

CB Island Hoppers, friends:

The 8th of July 2007 was the cut off date for registration to the dinner at Fortress Louisbourg.

The dinner coordinator required time, numbers of diners and the monies to submit to the restaurant and Parks Canada.

We cannot extend this cut off date for registration, please note we (I) have been advertising this dinner since Sept 2006 at almost every walk and by e-mail and brochures etc.

Anyone who contacted Phil on or before 08 July and indicated their cheques was in the mail, will be assured a place or seat at the dinner.

Please confirm with Phil if you are unsure if you have sent in your registration.

Friday, June 29, 2007

NS AND CAPE BRETON MAPS

MAPS OF CAPE BRETON & NOVA SCOTIA



New club members, visitors and anyone wanting a map of Cape Breton/Nova Scotia can do so by ordering online at http://www.novascotia.com/ , these are free!

When you get on this site follow the links for maps or travel guides and fill out the required information.

You can request the Doers and Dreamers Guide as well, this is a great reference book for summer activities, hotels, B&Bs, museums and overall general information about NS & CB.

You may also send them to friends and relatives who are considering visiting the area.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

CANADA DAY WALK/POT LUCK LUNCH

The potluck on 1 July will be held at Lucy Nardini's home, 106 Carmichael Drive, Sydney River.
This is a change from our 2007 Schedule of Events.
Please pass this information onto all club members.

July 1st Walk begins at St. Josephs RC Church parking lot.
40 Cabot Street, Sydney B1P 4C8
This is a 10k walk only rated 2A
Walk Start Time: 2pm and registration begins at 1:30pm.

Our walk event on Canada Day will follow most of the route that Ann Irons used to do before our club was formed. That particuliar walk was a non-sanctioned event to introduce to the general public what a 10k route would be like and it would ensure what we were getting ourselves into. The success of this walk event lead to the formation of the Cape breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club.
July 1st is also the last event for those who have been able to accumulate the required stamps (4 out of 6 walk events) for the certificate and pins that celebrate the 20th Anniversary of The Canadian Volkssport Federation (CVF) entry into the International Volkssport Federation or IVV.




WHAT A KEEPER!

The trail at Mabou starting near the "Pioneer Shrine" is a very unique walking trails that wanders along the Mull River and was once part of the railroad that stretched from Inverness to Port Hawkesbury.
A flat dry trail with several bridges crossing over the Mull River. The trail is well maintained by the local Mabou Trails Society. Along the trail is a marsh with plenty of birds and other wild life. In 2006 our group walked in a southerly direction and found the trail to be soft and boggy in places however this year going in the opposite direction (N) we were pleasently surprised to find the trail to be well compacted even after a rain the night before.
This is an excellent route to keep in mind for a future outing to Mabou.
On this walk there were 28 participants, Carol Obianwu from Texas joined us for the second time this year and hopes to join us again before leaving the island.
Phylis Wilton completed her first five free events and is now the proud owner of a Distance and Event Books and has become a full fledged member of the CBIH. WELCOME!
We would also like to welcome another new walker with us and we hope to see more of her is Julie Dzaich from Sydney. Great to see new faces along the trail.

After 1 July we get into our 10th Anniversary Walk Events. There's still time to register for the dinner at Fortress Louisbourg. Come out and have Fun, Food and Friendship with the Island Hoppers.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Mabou Rail Trail Event

The Mabou walk will take place at Mother Of Sorrows Shrine, 45 South West Ridge Rd., Mabou.

Here is a google map of the Start Point:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?ll=46.068244,-61.397299&spn=0.004995,0.008669&t=h&z=17&om=1&msa=0&msid=105129794935099277215.00000113184a637842081



After the walk event we are suggesting the Mull Restaurant for dinner before you head home.

Go to the Mull restaurant web site for a look at the menu plus information if you want to reserve a table!

http://www.duncreigan.ca/

Thursday, June 07, 2007

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL

Early Bird Special

Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada
Annual Park Entry Passes
(Family, Adult, Senior, Youth)

50% off until June 30th, 2007

Telephone orders accepted: 224-2306 or 285-2691

Elaine Wallace Manager, Heritage Presentation & Visitor Services
Cape Breton Highlands National Parke
laine.wallace@pc.gc.ca
(902) 285-2270 or 285-3006FAX: (902) 285-2866

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Two New Walks Added To The Schedule

A New Festival Partner

This year the Island Hoppers will participate in the Johnny Miles Festival, Sydney Mines. Sunday, 05 August. More details to follow in our Events Schedule at www.capebretonislandhoppers.com

(article in Cape Breton Post, 05 June 07, pg A10, "Festival partners with walking club to promote active lifestyle.")


The Johnny Miles Festival has been developing this road race and other healthy activities for the past five years and they hope to include our volksmarch event on an annual basis.

If you want to know more about the Boston Marathon and the story of the Sydney Mines marathon runner Johnny Miles go to:

http://www.davidblaikie.com/david_blaikie/boston/baa_1926.htm

A quote from the author David Blaikie:

'Our feet may leave home but not our hearts'

Back to the waterfalls:

Another new walk ( a new IVV stamp will be issued) to our schedule for 2007 but one of our most favourite trails will be at Uisge Ban Falls on Monday, 13 August. We will host one of our favourite travelling walking groups, WAI - Walking Adventures International-

Anyone wanting to join me for this adventure should be prepared for an early morning start. We will meet the bus at The Telegraph House on Chebucto Street in Baddeck and then motorcade to the Start Point along the dirt road leading to the Provincial Park. In fact we will start 3kms from the park in order to get our full 10ks, After the walk when we arrive at the picnic area club members will hitch a ride back to our cars with the tour group. more details to follow.

St Peters Rail Trail

The Walk on Sunday June 2nd, International Trails Day, in St. Peters and the St. Peters Rail Trail had 18 members participating in this event.

The weather was great, sunny with a mild breeze but very suitable for a walk along the coastline of St Peters. Besides our new members we were joined by Rilla And Jim McLean, Port Hawkesbury and joining us for the first time this year were Phil and Kathi Rice who are summer/fall residents in Margaree. Welcome back folks we look forward to many more walk events with all of you.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

INTERNATIONAL TRAILS DAY

SATURDAY, 02 JUNE 2007

International Trails Day walk event will begin at Battery Point in St Peters.

REGISTRATION begins at 1:30pm

Walk Start Time: 2:00pm.

This event is rated 1B & 2B

Distances: 5 & 10k

Bring your lunch and have a small picnic at the park before the walk begins.

After the event we suggest "Inn On The Lake" for dinner.
Located near the St. Peters Canal bridge.
World Walking Day, Glace Bay 12 May 2007

The third walk event for 2007 had 32 walkers in attendance and with 4 new participants should deem this a very successful walk event.
fourteen members attended dinner at the Miners Village restaurant and the hotmeal and drinks were very much appreciated after the high winds we experienced along the shoreline of South Street Beach.
A photo of the group is available in the photo gallery of our new website format.

BADDECK WALKS

On Sunday May 20th we provided 2 walk events.
The morning walk started at the tourist info centre on Chebucto St. in the Village of Baddeck with 17 participants, 3 new participants showed up for this Year Round Event.

Lynda & Rick Kanne from the Valley Trekkers Volkssport Club and their Friend Allyson Hayman from the Truro Club (Central Nova) arrived for a day of walking on Cape Breton Island.

These great friends and enthusiastic walkers showed up again for our afternoon walk to Uisge Ban Falls, where once again we signed in 17 walkers for the National Walking Weekend Events.

New particpants with the club included Dianne Clarke, Phyllis Wilton, Marie , Donald & Maureen MacKenzie.

A drizzle! of rain made the trail a little slippery in places and with one of the bridges out we had to change plans as to how the walk was to proceed.
The falls and the North Baddeck River were a spectaculiar site at this time of the year . This was a worthwhile hike to the falls that will not soon be forgotten.

Check out the photo gallery in our new website format.


Wednesday, May 16, 2007

VOLKSSPORT CANADA SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscription fees for VOLKSSPORT CANADA has been increased to $15.00 annually. Still a good bargain for the CVF national magazine.
Go to www.walks.ca for further information on how to order.

Our club newsletter Heel n Toe is free and is published as we have information to pass on, usually bi-annually.

The Island Hoppers next event is in Baddeck on Sunday May 20th, 2007
The first walk begins at 10:00am at the Tourist Info Centre on Chebucto St.
The second walk of the day begins at 2:00pm at Uisge Ban Falls Provincial Park.
Check calendar of events on the website: www.capebretonislandhoppers.com

Thursday, April 26, 2007


Shirley Pettigrew leads the CBIH on Sunday April 22 at Mira Provincial Park.
What a great day for a walk in the park, 26 regular members showed up for this 10k event plus four new walkers to our organization.
Hope to see more of you out at our next walk in Glace Bay on Saturday May 12 at 2pm for our World Walkind Day Event.
The walk begins at the Miners Museum on Birkley Street, located off South Street.
World Walking Day is one of four walks in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the (CVF) Canadian Volkssport Federation.
A special stamp will be placed in your BOOKS plus an additional booklet will be provided that you must have stamped as well at the National Walking Weekend Event on Sunday May 20th (afternoon walk) at Uisge Ban Falls, International Trails Day on June 2nd in St Peters on the St Peters Rail Trail and July 1st in Sydney for our clubs original walk event.
RECAP OF WALKS YOU MUST QUALIFY FOR THE CVF SPECIAL AWARD:
GLACE BAY - WORLD WALKING DAY - SUNDAY MAY 12th
UISGE BAN FALLS - NATIONAL WALKING WEEKEND - SUNDAY MAY 20th
ST. PETERS - INTERNATIONAL TRAILS DAY - JUNE 2nd
SYDNEY - CANADA DAY & ORIGINAL WALK EVENT - SUNDAY JULY 1st
All four walks will be eligible for a CVF special certificate, a pin is available for $5.00 by registering with the CVF and will be sent out to you upon registering.

Saturday, April 07, 2007

TALL SHIPS AT LOUISBOURG

The Cape Breton Ports of Louisbourg, Sydney and Port Hawkesbury will be hosting "The Tall Ships" on the same weekend as our 10th Anniversary walk program in Louisbourg.

Four ships will be in Louisbourg harbour July 20-21 and nine ships will be in Sydney harbour July 22-23.

This will be an added enhancement to our walk program. What a fantastic opportunity to watch these great sailing ships as we proceed along the shoreline at Little Lorraine on Saturday morning or you can glimpse these great ships while on our sunset walk to the fortress.

The "early bird walkers" can catch the ships at Louisbourg (20 July) Friday AM and then head to Catalone in the afternoon for our walk along the "Devils Hill Trail".

From the information I have at the present time (Cape Breton Post, Saturday, April 7, 20007) the ships will be in Sydney harbour on Sunday and Monday so anyone wanting to visit the ships or just get the chance to see them under full sail will be able to enjoy our weekend of walking and have plenty of time to see these magnificient sailing ships as well.





Your support is needed to make this a successful weekend for our/your
club. The Island Hoppers executive are working hard to make this an
unforgettable birthday celebration, please help by registering early for our dinner and walk at Fortress Louisbourg.

We must have confirmation of number of persons attending as quickly as possible. The official cutoff date is 8 July 2007 however a decision to cancel may have to be made sooner. If we do not have a sufficient number of walkers and diners we may have to forfeit the restaurants to a larger function.

The $40 cost includes the IVV fee for the "Louisbourg Then Walk", National Historic Site Fees, the Dinner all Taxes and Tips in addition we will be holding 3 walks on National Historic properties and a complimentary (free) picnic/luncheon this same weekend.



An online registration form is available on our website on LINKS >CBIH to the right of this page:

or: http://users.syd.eastlink.ca/~cbih/



A brochure and registration is also available at any of our walk events.


THE SECOND WALK EVENT FOR 2007:

Mira Provincial Park, Brickyard Road off Rte 22 (Louisbourg Hwy)

Sunday, 22 April, 1:30pm is Registration, Start Time 2:00pm

This is a very easy 5/10k event; enjoy the walk through the park
before the sunbathers and tourist show up; the walk is rated at
1B.

COMING SOON AND STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION:

http://www.capebretonislandhoppers.com/

In the near future I will take all of the present sites and combine them under one umbrella known as Cape Breton Island Hoppers.

Monday, March 12, 2007

OUR FIRST 2007 WALK EVENT


A FRIEND, WHO WILL NOT SOON BE FORGOTTEN!


The Island Hoppers 10th year has begun with the sad and devasting news of the passing of one of our most devoted members.


On Monday March 5th Shirley Boutilier surrounded by her loving family passed away at her beloved home in Marion Bridge.


Shirley is an original founding member of our club, she was a member of our first walk committees, assisted with ways and means. Shirley was ever present at all walk events, volunteered tirelessly to work on our many picnics, bbq's.

On several or many occassions she welcomed the entire club to her home in Marion Bridge to potluck suppers and bbq's.


She and Bill travlled throughout Canada in their RV and made it appoint to walk in all the Canadian Provinces. Shirley and Bill are both recepients of the Ron Colpitts Award for outstanding volunteers on a (CVF) volkssport club committee for 5 years or more.


Shirley was the first one to go out and look for new trails and prewalk as many as she could. She encouraged the walk committee to plan as many events as possible for the year and she introduced us to at least one challenge walk each year such as Money Point and North River Falls.


Shirley's smile and the bright twinkle in her eyes will not be forgotten, she made new comers to the club feel welcomed as old friends. She made old friends feel at home at all times in her presence.


With a little mischief in her smile she reminded me that it was 2 o'clock and it was time to get these people walking. "Come On Let's Get Going There a Trail Waiting For Us"!



THE CB ISLAND HOPPERS WILL CONTINUE TO WALK FOR FUN, FITNESS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR FRIENDSHIP!


The CB Island Hoppers are once again ready for another exciting year of walking for fun, fitness and friendship.


(The Island Hoppers on The Clyburn Trail, Highland National Park)








The First Walk Event for 2007 will be held:




- Sun Mar 25


- Registration 1:30pm


- Start Time 2pm


- Walk Distance 5/10k


- North Sydney, Clansman Motel, 9 Baird St.




Time to shake off the winter blues and get ready for spring.


This year we will be celebrating our 10th year as a walking club within the Canadian Volkssport Federation (CVF).


The CVF is celebrating a birthday as well. This is the offical 20th Anniversary of this organization and there will be a special walk program throughout the year.


A special certificate will be issued to all members upon completion of at least 4 out of 6 designated walk events that will take place in 2007 only.


This program commenced 01 Feb. 2007 and closes 01 July. Only the designated walks completed within these dates are acceptable for submission.


A special one page booklet has been prepared and can be picked up at the next walk event; on/or before 8-12 May 2007. Ensure that the booklet is stamped at each of the four walk events noted below.


A list of qualifying walks is available on the CVF website at www.walks.ca



Due to scheduling we (CBIH) have not been able to participate in the Feb. and April Events. My apologies for this inconvenience.


The Island Hoppers qualifying Walk Events are clearly marked on the Annual Schedule as (CVF's 20th Anniversary Program). A recap of the dates:


Sat 12 May in Glace Bay, World Walking Day, your book will be stamped WWD 2007. The CVF has desiginated this walk event as a Time for fitness.


Sun 20 May the afternoon walk at Uisge Ban Falls, National Walking Weekend, your books will be stamped NWW 2007. Desiginated as a Time For Fun


Sat Jun 02 in St. Peters, The Rail Trail& Battery Park, International Trails Day.

Desiginated as a Time for Friendship.


Sun July 1, Sydney,

40 Cabot Street, St Josephs RC Church, this our original first walk with some variations and is desiginated as Festive Air.



All dates were set by the CVF and in order to get the special certificates we
had to abide by the rules. All clubs had to walk their original
event on 01 July of this year. My apologies to Ways And Means Committee, Barb
& Cal Thistle who have organized our July 1st walks over the past few years.
Hopefully Barb and Cal will once again lead our Canada Day Walk in 2008.
The Annual Walk Schedule and our 10th Anniversary schedule, Celtic Colours Walks, all the walk events for the CVF are online, check the right hand side of this web page for the respected links.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Achievement Awards & Old Photos



Hold On! I thought I had given up on this type of walking adevnture when I retired from the infantry. So, here I am again, the only things missing is a rifle and a 60lb rucksack and a Sgt pushing me on! However my walking partner, Nip Hillier who is holding the camera seems to have filled the role of a bootcamp Sergeant, spurring us on to the mighty North River Falls......





The above picture is that of Nip Hillier crossing over one of the four rope and ladder bridges that we encountered on our very first pre-walk to the North River Falls Sept 29th 1998.

Due to the many crossings of the river at that time we decided that this was more of a hiking adventure then a volkswalk and we delayed a group walk to the North River Falls for another three or more years. In the ensuing years the area was closed to hikers and campers due to an extreme fire index and for two years access was delayed as the new bridges (replacing the rope bridges) were washed away during the spring breakup.
The clubs first trip to the North River Falls was led by Bill Boutilier using an alternate route along the Oregeon Trail. A cross country walk that was not soon forgotten as we encountered some very steep climbing down into the gorge at the base of the falls.

My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.
-Edward P. Weston


The club eventually made it to the falls along the river trail once a new route was opened up along one side of the river (the east side) by NS Natural Resources Dept. and The St Ann's Bay Trail Association.
I am looking for more pictures and small antedotes to help celebrate
our 10th anniversary celebrations.


Send me a photo with a caption or a story about your exploits with the
club on a group guided or pre-walk.

Of all excercises walking is the best.
-Thomas Jefferson
In the Fall & Winter issues of VOLKSSPORT CANADA I came across the following information:
Event Achievement Awards:
10 Events Edward (Ed) Hopkins Port Morien
75 Events William (Bill) Hopkins Sydney River
100 Events William (Bill) Hopkins
100 Events Shirley Pettigrew from Mira Bay
250 Events Carmel Coffin Sydney
400 Events Barbara Thistle Sydney
400 Events Cal Thistle
Distance Achievement Awards:
1000 km Shirley Pettigrew Mira Bay
1000 km William (Bill) Hopkins Sydney River
1500 km Ann Coombes Glace Bay
1500 km Judith Lorway Sydney
1500 km Lucy Nardini Sydney
3000 km Carmel Coffin Sydney
3000 km Roland Coombes Glace Bay
4000 km Isabel Grant North Sydney
4000 km Robin Grant
4500 km Cal Thistle
Congratulations to all!
A reason to Volkssport! 1 of 14.
  • Invest in your own health by adopting a safe, inexpensive, low-impact exercise regime


Friday, January 05, 2007

CHANGES TO YEAR ROUND & MID-SEASONAL EVENTS 2007

Regretfully I must inform all members that I have not been able to place the new 2007 slugs at each designated location as of this time due to personal health problems.

I will get the slugs setup as soon as I am able to travel once again.

We have been forced to make some changes to our Year Round Events in order to continue with these Self-Guided Walk Events.

Low turn out and financial considerations had to be taken into account, a second review will be made during the 2007 season and a final decision will be made to cancel at least one YRE before the start of 2008!

The following statement will be placed in all five (5) log books (sign in books) at each location before the end of January.

BEFORE STARTING THE WALK PLEASE NOTE:

The Walk Events in Glace Bay, Louisbourg and Baddeck have had some changes for the 2007 season.

These walk events have been discontinued as Year Round Events for 2007, they have been changed to Mid-Seasonal Event status as per the Rules And Regulations as outlined by The Canadian Volkssport Federation (CVF) and by approval of the CBIH club executive who recognized that these events needed to be changed due to the low turn out of walkers each year. The overhead cost have become another concern for the club, we will review this decision at the end of 2007.

“A Mid-Seasonal Event [up to 6 months less a day]”

These self-guided walk event will continue from 5 May 2007 to 28 Oct 2007.

All members of the IVV and CBIH who participate in the awards program may continue to stamp their Event Books twice in the same calendar year.
(a.) Only one stamp maybe placed in your Event Books from 05 May to 30 June (2007+).
(b.) A second stamp with the “+” sign removed maybe placed in your Event Book from 1 July to 28 Oct (2007).
(c.) Distance Books maybe stamped as many times as you desire to walk these Events

Louisbourg and Baddeck will remain on the “National Lighthouse Award Program” and those persons who are participating in this “special event” can still have their Lighthouse Event Books stamped as per the programs rules.

Sydney & North Sydney:

The Year Round Events in Sydney and North Sydney will continue as YRE’s with the CVF rules applied for the “+” sign.
(a.) Only one stamp maybe placed in your Event Books, from 1 January to 30 June (2007 +).
(b.) A second stamp with the “+” sign removed maybe placed in your Event Book from 1 July to 31 Dec 2007.
(c.) Distance Books maybe stamped as many times as you desire to walk these Events.


DISTANCES:

The rules pertaining to distances on the Year Round, Seasonal & Mid-Seasonal Events have recently been changed. We are now authorized to offer shorter 5-9k walk events including the 10k or more distances that we currently offer on our routes. Therefore in the next few months the walk committee will prepare 5k routes for all of our Events.