The Cape Breton Island Hoppers had the privilege of hosting the Canadian Volkssport Federation's Annual Atlantic Director's Meeting.
The weekend events included three group guided walks in Sydney (
Baille Ard Trail*), Peters field's NS Provincial Park and New Harris Road that included a 2Km stretch on the Kelly's Mountain Trail.
The weekend meeting also included lunch for those attending the scheduled meeting. An evening dinner was held for all members at the Swiss Chalet in Sydney.
Barb and Cal Thistle hosted the meeting and lunch at their home in Coxheath.
Members of the Social Committee provided the lunch.
The Social Committee includes Dianna MacDonald, Carmel Coffin, Julie Dzaich and Judy Lorway Thank you folks we enjoyed everything you provided.
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| Going up the Kelly's Mountain Trail off New Harris Road |
In attendance for the Atlantic Directors Meeting:
"Thank you for visiting our community and we hope to see you all again".
Phillip Longmire - CVF Atlantic Director
Julie Benson - Representing Dartmouth Volksmarch Club [DVC]
Heather MacLeod - President Central Nova Volkssport Club [CNVC]
Karen Illsley - President Valley Trekkers Volkssport Club [VTVC]
Deborah White - Trails Coordinator for VTVC
Cal Thistle - President Cape Breton Island Hoppers [CBIH]
Rollie Coombes - Trails Coordinator CBIH
On Monday, May 2, 2016 6:16 PM, Phillip
wrote:
Hi
Cal.
Please
pass my thanks to the Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club for
hosting what I believe was a very enjoyable weekend. A special thanks to you
and Barb for opening your home for our Atlantic Director’s meeting and
providing us with a hearty lunch. Thanks to Rollie for organizing and leading
us on some beautiful walks with spectacular views.
Our visitors take sometime to enjoy Cape Breton hospitality!
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| Salute, Cheers! |
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| Karen Illsley |
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| Barb Thistle! So who is going to wash the dishes?......"Cal"! |
A Special Thank You to Barb Thistle who opened up her home, and a warm welcome, as our meeting area and provided us with a great meal and good tea!
A FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MEETING:
One of the important subjects to come out of the AD Meeting for the CBIH was to inform the other Nova Scotia Volkssport clubs that our 20th Anniversary will be held in 2017.
The Island Hoppers will hold 6 walking events and dinner during the July 1st weekend.
We are in the final planning stages to host a series of walk events in Ingonish, The Highlands National Park and Cape North areas.
2017 is also the 150th anniversary of Canada and the National Park service has indicated that Park entrance fees will be suspended for the year.
The 2017 Nova Scotia Volkssport marathon event will be hosted by the Central Nova Volkssport Club 16 September 2017. CNVC will also host the next Atlantic Directors Meeting 29 April 2017.
We were reminded that the Valley Trekkers Volkssport Club will be celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year in Shelburne, NS during the July 1st weekend.
The Dartmouth Volksmarch Club will be hosting the
2016 Marathon in September.
BROCHURES HAVE BEEN SENT OUT TO ALL CBIH MEMBERS!
If you need a paper copy or require an updated electronic brochure on these or any events, please email and I will send it to you as soon as possible.
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| Baille Ard Trail |
When on the trail, I was asked, "what does Baille Ard mean in English?
While in Ireland the English had a habit of writing phonetically when they encountered local place names.
The only answer I could find and I may be corrected if wrong.
Baille is Irish for "townland" and Ard is "hill or height".
Therefore I will surmise that it is "townland on the hill" !
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| First walk of the weekend, Phillip Longmire AD 3rd from right |
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| Petersfield Trail |
A wonderful weekend for Fun, Fitness and Friendship!
Thank you to all members of the Island Hoppers who attended the walk events and gave our Volkssport friends a warm welcome to Cape Breton.
Below: Don and Maurena MacKenzie
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| "It was a beautiful day for a walk--great company, too!" |
