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.

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/

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

NORTH RIVER FALLS

NIP HILLIER AT THE BASE OF THE NORTH RIVER FALLS

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

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.

OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR 2006

Club Members And Friends:

Regretfully I must inform you that our Christmas Party will not take place as planned on the 10 Dec.

Our new host(s) have asked for a change of DATE & TIME and the General Meeting Held on Saturday, 25 November agreed to this change:

The Christmas Party will now take place Saturday, 16 Dec @ 6PM.

My sincere Thank You to Kathy & Doug Grant who will be our host for this party.

Their home is located on 20 Hemlock Street (Hemlock extends across Kimberley Dr. and #20 is on the right), Sydney, B1S 1S4.

Kimberley Drive & Hemlock are located off Kings Road between Jaspers Restaurant and Price Choppers Grocery Store (a short distance on the right handside, when entering Sydney from the #4 Hwy on Kings Road and just after The Super Value Store).

I will do my best to inform all members however I ask that you pass this message onto anyone you know not to have e-mail.

This will be a pot luck style party

Thank You for your support in this matter.

The 10 anniversary t-shirts that Barb & Cal designed will be available at $15.00 each.

They (Cal& Barb) are now taking orders e-mail cbthistle@yahoo.com

The brochure and registration form for our 10th Anniversary celebration in Louisbourg is now available for distribution.

All of the information about the walk events and the dinner will be included in the brochure and for those attending the party I will have sufficient copies on hand to pass out.

Get your order for t-shirts and fill out the registration for our candlelight dinner ASAP as there is limited seating at Fortress Louisbourgs Restaurant.

NEW T-SHIRT FOR OUR 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

HERE IT IS THE NEW T- SHIRT, AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGHOUT 2007.

THANK YOU WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT ON THIS PROJECT

2006 LAST WALK, ANNUAL MEETING, PARTY TIME

[1] The Last Guided Walk For 2006

When: The walk will take place on Sunday, Nov. 12th

Registration: Starts at 12:30 PM

Walk Begins: 1:00 PM

Directions to the Start Point for this Guided Walk Event:
From Hwy 125 Exit 3, follow Rte.223 past Leitches Creek for approx. 7kms to the base of the Barrachois Mountain.

The walk will begin at the gravel pit located on the left (west) side of the road.

This is a guided walk event of 10k Rated at 3C, those walkers wanting to do 5 k are welcomed to do so.

[2] 9th Annual Club Meeting:

Place: 106 Carmichael Drive, Sydney River

When: Saturday, November 25th, 2006

Time: 2:00 PM (opening remarks by the chairperson will begin promptly at 2:05 PM)

The meeting is open to all club members and anyone interested or joining The Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club.

We will be discussing the plans for the clubs 10th Anniversary celebrations for 2007 and we will have the brochure for these events available as well.

There will be a discussion as well on our 4th Celtic Colours Walk Program.

If you do not have our 2007 Guided Walk schedule you can pick it up at the annual meeting.

The club executive committee’s is open to any member who would like to volunteer for a position.

We will try to make this meeting as informal as possible but as informative as we can.

[3] IT's PARTY TIME, Annual End Of Season or Christmas Party:

This potluck dinner party will take place: TO BE CONFIRMED
Come out and enjoy the company of your fellow walkers; after this party we are taking an unprecedented extended break until March 2007.

Place: TO BE CONFIRMED AT A NEW LOCATION

When: Sunday, 10 December 2006

Time: 4:00 PM

The North River Trek

The trek along the North River Trail proved to be a little wetter under foot then we had anticipated.
Earlier in the morning before our walk there had been high winds and a heavy rainfall, particuliarly in the Glace Bay and Sydney areas where some power interuptions had been reported.
Undaunted by the weather a number of volkssporters from the Island Hoppers made their way to the North River Trail head.
Before starting off there was a light shower and wind. Then as we made our way up the trail entrance the sun broke out of the clouds and though the temp was a little cool we had a very comfortable walk.
Parts of the trail had turned into streams but we were able to walk on the high sides of the trail with little or no problems. We did not have to deviate from the trail as we have with some of the trails after a rain storm. The trail is well packed and rocky, not muddy, making it easier to walk during inclement weather.
The trail is also lined with a heavy foilage of fallen leaves with a distinctive smell in the air that you only get in the fall of the year when travelling through the forest. The vibrant colours of the fall were still visible but will soon disappear if we continue to have such wet weather this fall season.
Along the trail we passed over two bridges and the streams had turned into malstorms, the once tranquil small waterfalls along these brooks could be heard in the distance as we were approaching and then departing the bridges that crossed over these now new rivers flowing into and feeding the larger North River.
At the 4.5 k mark we turned left towards the North River; if we had continued to the right along the main trail we would have gone onto the North River Falls. Today was not the day for that particuliar trip.
At the rivers edge, the planned turn around point, we noted that the river had swollen over its banks. Where we had stood 3 days ago on the prewalk was now part of the river and after a short break we opted to head back as the weather was once again changing, thick black clouds engulfed the mountains around us and the temperture quickly and amazingly dropped in a few moments.
On the way back I noted fresh moose tracks coming up from the river heading for higher ground, apparently the moose was not interested in crossing the river today.
We were a fortunate group of walkers as we made it make to the Start/Finish Point without getting wet and in fact most if not all the walkers heeded the advice of the prewalkers to wear good hiking boots and we arrived back without even getting our feet wet.
A successful and wonderful walk along the North River.

In the coming years we will again consider this walk event for our Celtic Colours Program as there is potential for three seperate walks in this area; this Includes a much more comfortable start point to the North River Trail other then the SP that is located in the North River Park picnic area.

MESSAGE FROM SUZANNE & LEE LAZARO

ON THE CANOE LAKE TRAIL,CELTIC COLOURS WALKS, 2006




A VIEW OF CANOE LAKE, CELTIC COLOURS WALKS, 2006



The following message was sent by Lee and Suzanne Lazaro, California USA

Rollie - please share this short message with the Island Hoppers.
Thanks, Lee.

" Hello and greetings to the Island Hoppers ! Suzanne and I, as well as Suzanne's mom, Janet, wanted to share with you how pleased we were to join the Island Hoppers volksporting group this summer, and how much we enjoyed walking and talking with many of you. Due to the arrival of friends at our home in Cape Breton last week, we were unable to make the final walk in Louisburg, but we enjoyed the other Celtic Colours walks with you. The Island Hoppers are a fun group and we look forward to joining you next Spring/Summer on some new walks !

PS - some of you may have read in the Post last week that Suzanne had accidentally lost her camera during the visit of the Premier of Nova Scotia to Dominion Bay Beach, where we had (of course) been taking a walk ! The great news is, we recovered the camera with pictures intact, thanks to a typically honest Cape Bretoner, Mr. Joseph Elsworth of Dominion Bay, to whom we are very grateful (he of course received the obligatory bag of turnips as a reward! :-) Therefore, we will be sending Rollie the group photo's from our Canoe Lake walk.

Best Regards for a wonderful Fall and Winter !

Lee and Suzanne Lazaro"

Christmas Party, A Visitor to Louisbourg, Last Two Walks for October!

Our 3rd Annual Celtic Colours Walks will end this coming Saturday, 14th October with one of our most favourite walks going to the lighthouse in Louisbourg. After this walk I will be prepared to give the statistics of the numbers of walkers and where they are from for those who are interested.

We will start this event at Han Beck Sea Products parking lot located off Main Street Louisbourg.

Registration begins at 1:30 PM and we step off at 2:00 PM.

Special Note to Club members: If you have completed this event since 01 July of this year you may walk for distance only and the stamp for your DISTANCE BOOK is only $1.00; all other club members who have not walked in Louisbourg at anytime this year or who have walked prior to 31 June,you may stamp both Event & Distance Books at a cost of $2.00. PLEASE CHECK YOUR BOOKS PRIOR TO THE EVENT for a + sign and the last three numbers for Louisbourg are 243 with a stamp image of a lighthouse.

On Wednesday, Oct 11, five of our club members met Sylvia Fisher, a member of The St. Alberts Trekkers, Alberta. Sylvia is travelling by cruise ship from Montreal to Norfork, Virginia. It is Sylvia's goal to do all the capital city walks and lighthouse walks across Canada. The Island Hoppers have helped her with this goal by escorting her out to Louisbourg one of the two designated lighthouse walks here in Cape Breton and a part of the National Lighthouse Program.
Sylvia will try to return to CB in the near future to try and complete our other lighthouse walk in Baddeck. She may try to accomplish this during our 10th Anniversary celebrations in 2007.

Thank You to Carmel Coffin, Elsie Buck, Lucy Nardini and Bill Hopkins for joining Sylvia and myself for a great day of walking. The weather was perfect, unusual for Louisbourg,the comradiere on the trail was equally perfect.

SUNDAY, OCT 29th we are in North River Bridge at the Provincial Park, picnic area for a 10k walk along the North River. PLEASE NOTE: We will not be going to the falls.
Start Time 1:00PM, please register at 12:30

The Annual End Of Season and Christmas Party!

This year Marion Hopkins will be our host for this Pot Luck Event.

185 Fatima Drive, Sydney River

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10th, 2006

Later in November we will coordinate what type of prepared dish that you would like to bring.

I though I should share one of the photos that I came cross while going through my files of photos that were sent to me recently. This smiling couple is Kathy and Doug Grant on top of Broad Cove Mountain in the Highland National Park. A fantastic view of Cape Smokey in the back ground.

Glasgow and Pacquette Lakes Walk

Glasgow Lake in The Cape Breton Highlands National Park



The view from the turn around point of our walk from Paquette Lake to Glasgow Lake.
From this point it is a complete 360' panoramic view of the highlands that few tourist and native Capers will ever see.
This is the scene that awaited the Island Hoppers on our latest trip to the National Park on Sunday, 24 Sept. 2006.

Thank You to Terry Crawley for the latest pictures.

More photos can be found on our Photo web site. Click on the site to the right of this page.

With the Glasgow Lake Walk Event under his belt, Terry has now completed his first 10 events with the club. Good Show Terry!

On this Walk Event Nancy and Jerry Haley from Sydney joined us for the first time and from all indications they will be joining us again in the near future. Welcome aboard folks, I'm sure you will find us a friendly group of walkers.

My Thank you to all who participated in the prewalk on Tuesday Sept 26th at St Alphonse Church In New Victoria in preparation for the Celtic Colours Festival coming up on 7,8 and 9 Oct 2006.

TWO WALK EVENTS -- HIGHLAND NATIONAL PARK

We have two Walk Events remaining for the month of September:

[1]

DATE & TIME: Sunday Sept. 17th, Registration at 1:30 PM and the Walk begins at 2:00 PM

WHERE: Warren Lake Picnic Area in The Highlands National Park

The Guided Walk around Warren Lake is Approx 5k and the remaining portion of the walk continues to Broad Cove Mtn via Warren Lake Road and return to the picnic area is a total distance of 11k.

Joe MacKinnon will lead the walk around the lake and Rollie Coombes will continue with the Broad Cove Mtn portion.

Broad Cove Mtn is quite steep and I advise all participants to take their time ascending this Mountain, excellent views of the highlands, Cape Smokey, here you are above the the eagles who soar along the shoreline and forest below you! Don't forget to take your camera and binoculars.

[2]

DATE & TIME: Sunday Sept. 24th, Registration begins 1:30 PM and the Walk begins at 2:00 PM

WHERE: Glasgow Lakes/Paquette Lake in The Highlands National Park

-- From Neil's Harbour continue for 9k along the Cabot Trail towards Cape North
-- Watch for Highland National Park Road Signs indicating Glasgow and Paquette Lake Trail on the left side of the Highway. The road to our start Point is approx 2ks in land from the main highway.

This is not a steep mountain trail though it mostly follows a dried up river bed and is rocky in some places; however once we reach the turn around point you will realize that you have been walking in the Highlands of Cape Breton as the panoramic view before you unfolds the secrets of this fantastic National Park.

This is our last adventure into the Highland National Park as a club for this season and we will not be here for 2007 as well. This is the last chance to walk the highlands as a group for at least another year or so.

If you are interested in walking or hiking the highlands the annual " Hike The Highlands Festival" takes place in the second or third week of Sept. Unfortunately this group out of Ingonish and the Northeast Highlands Association are not affiliated with the IVV and I repeat myself by saying unfortunately their walk/hikes are not sanctioned by the Canadian Volkssport Federation, they are a separate group.

We (The Island Hoppers) are holding the only 2 IVV sanctioned events in The Highland National Park as indicated above for this year; one event on Sun. the 17th and the other on the 24thl Regretfully we are not a part of the "Hike The Highlands" festival.

SPECIAL EVENT ON THE MIRA

OUT ON THE MIRA!

We invite club members and friends to join us for a scenic 2 hour boat tour on the Mira River.

Please note there is limited space for 23 passangers and bookings will be on a first come first served basis at a cost of $15.00/person. RESERVE A SEAT NOW.

Mira Boat Tour will be held on:

SATURDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2006

TIME: 2:00PM (please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure time)

START POINT: Mira Boat Tour Dock on The Brickyard Road, from Sydney take Rte 22 the Louisbourg Hwy and continue to Albert Bridge, cross the bridge and turn left (East)on to The Brickyard Road and continue for approx. 1.5
Km and watch for the sign "Mra Boat Tours" located on the left and just before the Mira Provincial Park.

For more info please contact Elsie Buck at 562-3117 to RESERVE A SEAT NOW or

Cape Breton Island Hoppers



Due to scheduling difficulties our Mira Boat Tour that was to be held in October during The Celtic Colours Festival has been cancelled!

TOWER ROAD WALK

We had a very good turn out for this walk even though six of our members had signed up for the walk events in Cape Chignecto with the Central Nova Volkssport Club.
Participating with other volkssport clubs can be a good thing for our club as well as the host club; I encourage all members to visit other clubs when they are holding special walk events as this encourages their members to come and visit Cape Breton as well. All of us can be ambassadors for our club and the island.

The Tower Road Trail proved to be an easy walking trail along a portion of the "old Sydney & Louisbourg Railway" the Marconi Towers Road and Sand Lake Road with an excursion across a footbridge at MacAskill Brook. There was even a stopover at the former "Marconi House" now owned by Doug Cunningham who was gracious enough to give the group a breviated tour of this "designated Nova Scotia Heritage property", unfortunately the home is not open to the public and if anyone requires more information on Marconi and his work here in Cape Breton please check out the Marconi Museum at Table Head in Glace Bay.
Doug is the brother of Shirley Pettigrew our walk leader for this delightful event and on behalf of you the club members my sincere thank you to Shirley and Doug for allowing us to view this home and for a great day of walking.
This walk will be highly considered for another year on our schedule.

Prior to the walk I had the privilege of introducing Karen and Bernard Lalanne from Coxheath, Sydney. Bernard and Karen walk each day for 40-50 minutes and decided to make this a challenge walk for themselves as they had never walked 10k before. They completed the event with a lot of enthusasim and ready to go on the excursion with us in the highlands on 17 September at Warren Lake and Broad Cove Mountain. Welcome to the club folks we are pleased to have you join us at any of our walk events! My thanks also to Doug and Kathy Grant for introducing the Lalannes to volkssporting.

The Walk Group on the first bridge along The Mabou trail, 20 August 2006

COMING EVENT FOR THE LABOUR DAY WEEKEND

FIRST WALK IN SEPTEMBER

We will be in the Glace Bay and Tower Rd area on Sunday, 03 Sept @1:30 pm for registration, the Guided Walk Event begins 2:00 pm.

The original Start Point has been changed from "The Old Pumping Station Road" to the intersection of Marconi Road and Tower Road about 200 m from the original SP, this should not cause any real problems as both points are visible from each other.

We will have Volkssport & CBIH> road signs along the route. I intend to have ROAD SIGNS beginning in Reserve Mines pointing the way to Tower Rd., keep an eye out for the BIG BOLD VOLKSSPORT SIGNS.

This Guided Walk Event will feature a trail along a portion of the old S&L Railroad, old forest, a former popular swimming and picnic area that was reached by the former train system that stopped here along the route to Louisbourg, a glimpse of The Marconi House that was built by the inventor when he lived and worked on his famous overseas wireless projects in the Glace Bay area, Sand Lake and a nice quite ideallic country road. Again the original 2C was for this trail was overstated, it is a very easy walk and should be enjoyed by all participants.

Come join the Island Hoppers as we explore this great Island.

NEW CVF AWARDS COORDINATOR

The new CVF Awards Coordinator is:

Lea Tocher

Please send your Distance And Event Books to the following address:

Lea Tocher
450 Rouge Road
Winnipeg, MB
R3K 1K4
Canada

MABOU WALK, 2007 SCHEDULE, TOWER ROAD WALK

Our NEXT SCHEDULED WALK EVENT is:

Mabou Rail Trail, 45 South West Ridge Road, Mabou, this is the parking lot at "Mother of Sorrows Pioneer Shrine"

Sunday August 20th, Registration begins at 1:30 and the walk Starts promptly at 2:00 PM.

The walk will be a 5 & 10K event lead by Elsie Buck and Joe MacKinnon and is rated 2B.

Joe and Elsie have done another pre-walk of this event and have reported back that 2B may have been to much of a high rating for this trail as it is a well groomed trail, easy walking; they have also scouted out the trail in the opposite direction. They were very impressed by this newer route that they have asked the walk committee to include this portion of the trail for the 2007 schedule. This is now on our 2007 schedule.

Your walk committee have been working on the 07 schedule and it has been sent to CVF for approval and insertion in the IVV's 'World Book Of Walking' program.
Club members will begin receiving the 2007 schedule by the end of Sept of this year, one month earlier then previous years.

We are now compiling trails for our 2008 schedule and are looking forward to suggestions from other club members, as you can see we are very optimistic that we will continue this club well beyond our 10th year celebrations in 2007.

GREAT THINGS ARE PLANNED FOR 2007 BUT WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO KEEP THIS GREAT CLUB GOING.WE NEED ACTIVE CLUB MEMBERS WHO LIKE TO WALK FOR FUN, FITNESS AND FRIENDSHIP AND WHO ARE WILLING TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE AS WALK LEADERS, SWEEPS OR TO WORK ON A COMMITTEE.

FIRST WALK IN SEPTEMBER

We will be in the Glace Bay and Tower Rd area on Sunday, 03 Sept @1:30 pm for registration and the Guided Walk Event begins 2:00 pm.

The original Start Point has been changed from "The Old Pumping Station Road" to the intersection of Marconi Road and Tower Road about 200 m from the original SP, this should not cause any real problems as both points are visible from each other.

We will have CBIH> road signs along the route. I intend to have ROAD SIGNS beginning in Reserve Mines pointing the way to Tower Rd., keep an eye out for the BIG BOLD VOLKSSPORT SIGNS.

This Guided Walk Event will feature a trail along a portion of the old S&L Railroad, old forest, a former popular swimming and picnic area that was reached by the former train system that stopped here along the route to Louisbourg, a glimpse of The Marconi House that was built by the inventor when he lived and worked on his famous overseas wireless projects in the Glace Bay area, Sand Lake and a nice quite ideallic country road. Again the original 2C was for this trail was overstated, it is a very easy walk and should be enjoyed by all participants.


Come join your club members for some great walking, exercise and friendship.

LIGHTHOUSE DAYS & SCHEDULED WALK IN MABOU

There will be a special 10k walk event in Louisbourg on Saturday, 12 August.

Iris Stevens from the National Lighthouse Society and the local chapter "Louisbourg Lighthouse Society" have invited us to lead a walk to the "site of the oldest lighthouse in Canada and the second oldest in North America"; your executive on behalf of the CBIH have accepted this invitation to participate in "National Lighthouse Day".

Registration begins at 1:30 PM and the walk Starts @ 2:00 PM.

The Start Point is The S&L Museum on Main Street Louisbourg.

The walk leader for this event is Shirley Pettigrew with assistance from Elsie Buck.

We will use our Louisbourg YRE stamp for this event. For our club we usually begin at "Pecks Store" on Wolfe Street , however we have accepted the kind invitation of the "Lighthouse Society" to lead their special walk event from the museum for this occasion only.

The walk will proceed up Havenside Drive and to the lighthouse and return to the museum; our members and those with the lighthouse society who want to complete the 10k circuit will continue on our regular route around the town in order to get the 10k stamp in their distance books plus the event book if you haven't done this walk for 2006.

please pass this message on to other club members, bring a friend on a nice leisurely walk, sorry I do not have time to phone all club members, I am having an unplanned busy summer.

Our NEXT OFFICIAL SCHEDULED WALK EVENT is: Mabou Rail Trail, 45 South West Ridge Road, Mabou, this is the parking lot at "Mother of Sorrows Pioneer Shrine"
Sunday August 20th, Registration begins at 1:30 and the walk Starts at 2:00 PM.

The walk will be a 5 & 10K event lead by Elsie Buck and Joe MacKinnon and id rated 2B.

Volksmarchers walk for the health of it!

Walk Events and Meeting for 2007 Schedule

JUST A REMINDER! Please check your schedule and join us for a walk. Bring along a friend.

The next 2 walks will be held within the boundaries of CBRM and are only about 15-20 minutes from downtown Sydney! Rollie's speed and time?

Hopefully we will have a good turn out of walkers, Please pass on this message to those not on our e-mail list.

(1) This coming Sunday July 23 @ 2pm, Registration begins @ 1:30 pm, New Waterford's Colliery Lands Park on Ellsworth Ave.
Davis Trail to New Waterford Lake. This is a very easy 2B Rated Walk, 5 & 10 km, Guided Walk led by Rollie.

(2) Sunday August 06, Registration @ 1:30 pm, walk starts @ 2 pm, The walk begins at the "old airport rd." entrance which is located less then 1 km beyond the "newer" entrance continuing east towards Reserve Mines. Once again this is a very easy walk around the airport grounds and out to the far end of one of the landing strips and a former coal mine area behind Reserve Mines.

This coming Wednesday 19 July at 6pm for club executive and those interested in contributing to our 2007 schedule there will be a meeting at Rollie & Ann's home in Glace Bay.
Contact me for directions.
The meeting will focus on the overall 2007 schedule and will finalize the 10th Anniversary celebrations; this is our last chance to make changes as I must send the Schedule and plans to the National CVF office at the end of this month.

A Fun Weekend In CHETICAMP, 7, 8 & 9 Of JULY 2006

NOTE:Louisbourg Sunday, 25th June

DUE TO SOME OF OUR MEMBERS HEADING DOWN TO THE VALLEY FRIDAY JUNE 23rd TO SUNDAY JUNE 25th, THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH CLUB MEMBERS TO JUSTIFY OUR ANNUAL CLUB PICNIC IN LOUISBOURG ON SUNDAY 25 JUNE. BARB & CAL THISTLE SUGGEST THAT MEMBERS AND GUEST [depending on weather conditions] BRING THEIR OWN PICNIC LUNCHES TO HAVE AFTER THE WALK EVENT. (THE WALK EVENT REMAINS THE SAME, WE HAVE A NEW IVV STAMP FOR THIS GUIDED WALK)

CHETICAMP NEWS EVENT!

Checkout the following news:

3 walks, one Potluck/BBQ, One Club Dinner, lots of Fun & Friendship, Food and Fitness!

Cape Breton Island Hoppers July Weekend Walk Events

Come to Cheticamp the “sunset side” of Cape Breton Island July 7-9, 2006 for 3 walks with The Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club

Friday July 07
Reg. 1:30pm ST 2pm
GW, 5-12k, 1B

Cheticamp Island
Plage St-Pierre
B0E 1H0

Cal Thistle/Barb Thistle 567-6702

Directions: From Hwy 19N turn left at the sign for Plage St-Pierre just before entering Cheticamp.

After this walk there will be a picnic/potluck.

Location: "THE THISTLE CAMPSITE" in Plage St-Pierre campgrounds on Cheticamp Island

CB Highlands National Park, West Gate

Meet at the Visitors Information Centre parking lot before going to the Start Point

Saturday July 08

Reg. 1:30pm ST 2pm

Rollie Coombes 849-0747
Elsie Buck 562-3117

Start Point is the Entrance to Skyline Trail, due to the fact that this trail is somewhat short for our needs we will continue the walk at Le Buttreau and for those wanting more Ks in their Distance Books we will continue along Le Chemin du Buttreu for a grand total of 15K.

Skyline Trail - 8k, 3B, Le Buttreau - 2k, Total 10k 1B
Le Chemin du Buttreu - 5k, 2B. Total GW 5-15k.

For more information on entrance and parking fees for Highlands National Park go to:

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

The Island Hoppers cannot be responsible for parking infraractions in the HNP.

Saturday evening a club dinner will take place at approx. 6:30, Le Gabriel Restaurant, please contact Barb Thistle if you would like to attend so that she can reserve enough tables for all.

CB Highlands National Park, West Gate

Sunday July 09

Reg. 9:30 ST 10am

Rollie Coombes/Ann Coombes 849-0747

For this walk event you have a choice of a river trail that is a bird watchers delight at:

Trous de Saumons - GW, 5-10k, 2B
OR
Old growth forest and a panoramic view of the coastline on
L’acadie Trail - GW, 10k only (5k will not be offered on this trail), 3B

If you are unable to come for the entire weekend! Why not try and plan a day trip around the trail and take in at least one walk with your club members and friends!

Notes: Canada Day Walk, Louisbourg Event & Pringle Mtn Fog

First I would like to welcome

Lee and Suzanne Lazaro
Grand Mira North, Marion Bridge

Who will be joining us in the near future.

Lee and Suzanne are Part time residents to Cape Breton and are ready to explore CB with The Island Hoppers.

Welcome Folks We hope you find us a friendly group of walkers.



"The views up here on Pringle Mtn are quite nice with views of St Peters and the ocean off in the distance, believe me!" Said Rollie! all morning while peering through the fog!

We had to abandon the original trail due to the many water obstacles that in other places would be considererd lakes.

However the rain held off and we had a nice cool day for a stroll along the Oban & Pringle Roads at the rear or North of St Peters.

After the walk we all headed forthe "Christmas Shop" and got in some early Xmas shopping then headed for a dinner at the local pub.

Overall despite the overcast weather we had a great day for walking and do what Island Hoppers like to do, "explore this great little island of ours".


Coming Events:

Please check your schedule for details:

June 25, Reg. 1:30pm Start 2pm

Louisbourg, Lighthouse Walk starting at the picnic area

On-line Map Directions: Directions,Louisbourg, Havenside Rd

& Picnic Park

Walk Leaders for this EVENT has changed, Barb & Cal Thistle have taken over the reins for this event. My personal thank you to Cal & Barb who will also org. a club picnic for this walk.

COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR CLUB, ONLY 20 MIN FROM SYDNEY.



Saturday 01 July, Reg. 9:30am Walk Time 10:00am

Coxheath Arena

On-Line Map:

Coxheath Arena

SPECIAL NOTE:

For this event we will meet on the Coxheath Road parking lot side of The Arena, watch for Barb & Cal Thistle.

We originally planned to walk in the Canada Day Parade, however the organizers of the parade do not expect to leave until 11am, therefore our walk leaders, Cal & Barb Thistle will begin our walk at the posted times as per our schedule

PRINGLE MOUNTAIN TRAIL EVENT

WALK INFO AND DIRECTIONS:

The next walk event for the CB Island Hoppers will be Sunday, June 11, 2006.

Registration begins at 1:30 and we start walking at 2:00PM.

Location: Pringle Mtn Road/Trail

When travelling From the CBRM take the #4 Hwy to St Peters and continue through the village to River Tillard Bridge,

This is the area where the #4 meets the 104 Hwy

Do not cross the River Tillard Bridge, Turn Right before crossing the bridge following the signs marked Oban Rd.

Anyone travelling from the Port Hawkesbury or west side of the island will have to cross the Bridge and turn LEFT.

You will pass under two main Power Lines, a short distance past the second Power Line take the Road to the Right and continue to our Start Point.

From the #4 to the Start Point is 7.5 Kms, a gravel road that is in almost better shape then the paved Hwy 4.

Our signs CBIH} will be posted along the route.



ONLINE MAP DIRECTIONS: DIRECTIONS PRINGLE MTN TRAIL

The Trail: We will only be using a small portion of this trail, the remainder of the walk will take place on back roads with some very nice views atop of the Mtn. This will be an easy walk and is suitable for walkers of all abilities. Please note some hills but WC accessible. Due to weather conditions the trail that we originally planned to use is unacceptable for our needs.
The pre-walkers encountered over 14 water obstacles before calling it quits and scouting out a new route.

THREE NEW TOPICS

[1] NEXT WALK EVENT

Walk Event is on International Trails Day in Georges River, Saturday 03 June @ 10:00AM, registration begins at 09:30AM. If the fire hall parking lot cannot accommodate all of us there is plenty of space on the Ross Rd. just across the street.



Due to the fact that this walk is on SATURDAY and not our usual Sunday Event, I am sending out a second reminder.



Also Checkout The Cape Breton Post Page A10, "Hiking Events Planned for International Trails Day". We have had some difficulties in getting our message out in the past through this media! I thought I should bring it to your attention.



However, for the past two seasons we have been members of "Cape Breton Pathways Association", looks like they can get the job done and my thanks to CB Pathways and Wilson Cameron for their support.

Lets get back on track for a Sunday walk at Pringle Mountain June 11 @ 2PM, more details to follow prior to this event.


[2] WALK PARTICIPATION

After a great start to our yearly walk events with an average of 21 per walk for the first seven events we have hit an almost record low of participants with only an average of 10 walkers at the last three events.

The walk in Catalone was the first we had done in that area and the small waterfall after the rain was very impressive and the Devils Trail was an easy wooded trail with great views of Catalone Lake and the Ocean in the far distance. Those who walked this trail were quite happy with the route and at least it was a true loop event that we try to strive for. It will be on the schedule for next year.

National Walking Weekend (NWW) and World Walking Day (WWD) will be on the schedule as well but closer to the CBRM area so that everyone can get an opportunity to participate. The rules for World Walking Day have changed so that we can do it on a weekend.


[3] LIGHTHOUSE EVENT IN BASS RIVER

LOCATION OF WALK BOX CHANGE

The Central Nova Volkssport Club is sponsoring the Bass River Lighthouse Walk as a Short Seasonal walk from June 2-Sept 30.

The walkbox location is currently listed as the Dominion Chair Co. Store in Bass River. Unfortunately, they have reneged on our agreement and a new walkbox location had to be established. The Masstown Market has agreed to keep it there.It will be located on the shelf under the Free Acess Computer in the restaurant section of the Market. The hours, parking and washroom availability are basicially the same as listed in previous information. The Masstown Market is a great place to visit, featuring a grocery market, bakery, greenhouse, gift shop and restaurant for light dining. The actual Bass River walk is about 15-20 minutes from the Market. Follow the same road directions, just stop at Masstown Market after coming off the ramp at Exit 12.

I hope this change does not cause any problems for walkers and that enjoy both the Masstown Market and their Bass River experience.

Tanya McNutt
Prsident-Central Nova Volkssport Club

NEW CVF AWARDS COORDINATOR

The New CVF Awards Coordinator will be Lea Tocher who assumes the responsibility as of May 13, 2006, Anna MacAnally will retire from this position as of April 30, 2006.

If You have Distance and Fvent Books to send in Please wait until after the National Convention to send them in for your awards:


Lea Tocher,
CVF Awards Coordinator
450 Rouge Rd.
Winnipeg, MB R3K 1K4
CANADA

COMING SOON! THE ISLAND HOPPERS WILL INTRODUCE A NEW WEBSITE TO GET READY FOR TEN YEARS OF WALKING FOR FUN< FITNESS AND FRIENDSHIP ON CAPE BRETON.

OUR MAY WALK AGENDA

The month of MAY should be declared WALKING MONTH at least for The Island Hoppers.

We have four walk events this Month:

FOR ALL WALK EVENTS, REGISTRATION BEGINS 30 MINUTES BEFORE WE STEP OFF AT THE POSTED TIMES.

[1] GUIDED WALK (GW) using our Year Round Event (YRE)

Sunday, 07 MAY @2PM in North Sydney, starting at the Clansman Motel parking lot. 10K 2B


[2] WORLD WALKING DAY EVENT:

Monday, 08 May @ 7PM in North Sydney, starting at Indian Beach, Purves Street. 5 & 10K, 2A

[3] National Walking Weekend Event

Monday, 22 May @ 2PM, Inverness, Broad Cove Trail, starting at MacLeod's Campsite off HWY 19. 5 & 10K, 2B

National Walking Weekend was created to commemorate the remarkable achievement of Ole

Olson and Helene Viel, both Volkssporters, who walked across Canada in 2000, from sea

to sea, for a total distance of 10,081 km (combined). Volkssport clubs across Canada

are rising to the 2006 National Walking Weekend challenge, which is for walk

participants to cover a total distance of 5951 km, equaling the distance sea-to-sea

distance from Vancouver to Halifax.

[4] Guided Walk Event

Sunday, 28 May @ 2PM, Catalone, Devils Hill Trail, starting at Catalone Recreational Centre off Hwy 22, (Louisbourg Hwy). 5 & 10K, 2B


WHAT IS IVV? This one of the most FAQs.....

IVV stands for the Internationaler Volkssportverband, a German word that means in

English: International Federation of Popular Sports. It is a non-profit association of

volunteers, which was registered by the Court in Munich, Germany in 1972.

The official language of the association is German with English approved also.



The main purpose of the association is:

1) To encourage public health through a non-competitive, outdoor sports program

and

2) To contribute toward peace and understanding among nations by fostering

international friendship through volkssports.

DIRECTOR'S MEETING & WALK EVENTS

The CBIH and many visitors from the Atlantic Area were on the the move from Friday 21 to Sunday 23rd April 2006.

On Friday night at 6pm 12 volkssporters led by Robin Grant did the 10k walk around North Sydney, starting and ending at the Clansman Motel. There was a light cool breeze but most importantly no rain. A nice stroll around the community with the Newfoundland ferries in the harbour.

After the walk 8 members of the group stopped in at the Clansman Restaurant for supper and though we had not made reservations the staff were very accomodating setting up a table for our little band of walkers. Good Food! Pleasant dinning partners from the Valley, what more can I say!










Above is the group from Saturday morning 22 April who started out at the Cambridge Suites. What's a walk in downtown Sydney without stopping at the "BIG FIDDLE" for a photo opportunity, Terry Crawley stepped out of the crowd to take one of these photos using Lionel Conrods camera. Phil Irons has taken some pictures as well and we hope to publish them very soon.

After the picture we continued along the boardwalk and met some of the folks celebrating "EARTH DAY" and we then continued in to the partially finished Wentworth Park (its starting to look good and when completed will be a show piece for Sydney and CBRM). After the heavy rains I expected the Baille Ard Trail to be somewhat impassable but due to the volunteer workers for The Baille Ard Association, who happen to be working that day, the paths and bridges were in excellent shape, this is another hidden jewel within the so called "industrial cape breton area."

Dinner at the Cambridge Suites was attended by members of CBIH, The Valley Trekkers (Annapolis Valley area), Dartmouth Club, The Chebucto Club (Hlfx), Central Nova (Truro), River Valley Trailblazers (Fredricton & Oromocto NB), Hub City (Moncton NB)in all there was a total of 36 diners including Darrell Taylor from Pathways Cape Breton who gave us a very informative briefing about the functions of Pathways and what the future holds for trails and transportation on the island.

Those who attended the buffet dinner were very impressed by the the calibre of the food and how it was presented, the staff at the Cambridge were very pleasant and helpful, our visitors seemed to enjoy themselves and the accompaning music in the back ground gave us a great atmosphere to enjoy the company of other walkers.

Barb & Cal Thisle of our Ways and Means Committee were responsible for the planning and implementing of the evening activities, Thank you both for all your hard work and now I have a new exercise regime that Barb introduced to us a walk around the block. Everyone whom I have spoken with also enjoyed Cal's Canadian photos! Thank you Cal!

"If I can be a little male chauvinist it was nice to see our lady walkers dressed for the occassion, Tilley hats and rain suits do not do them justice" hey! the guys also looked ok !

During the dinner I asked Bill and Shirley Boutilier to Represent all of those from the Island Hoppers who had walked across the Causeway during the 50th Anniversary celebrations to come forward and except their certificates on behalf of the walkers on that day, Rick Kanne was asked to represent all the other club members who were there on that most rainy but wonderful day.

The following photos were taken by Lionel Conrod, thank you Lionel, it was most appreciated.



On The left is Bill Boutilier, centre Rollie Coombes and on the Right Shirley Boutilier accepting certificates for walking across the causeway during the 50th Anniversary celebrations.







Rick Kanne accepts on behalf of all the club members from across the Atlantic Area.


On Sunday the sun finally arose and we had an excellent day for a 10K walk along the cliffs behind The Glace Bay Miners Museum to South Street Beach, we then turned around and walked through the wharves watching fishermen preparing for the upcoming Lobster season, into Commercial Street Glace Bay for an unscheduled stop!, through Renwick Brook, Queen Elizabeth and Cameron Bowl Parks and back to the museum area.
Many of our members and visitiors stayed to have a light luncheon buffet at the Miners Village Restaurant.

After this weekend of Walking for fun, fitness and friendship we are placing a fourth "f" into the motto for "food"


My sincere thank you to all who participated in this great weekend of walking and meeting new and old friends. Rollie

How do we continue to pass on the message of Walking for the Health of It?

How do we pass on the message of Walking for fun, fitness and friendship?

Your comments would be appreciated on this subject!

My answer: one step at a time, one new walker from each of us at future events; walking or volksmarching is a uniquie sport but we are not media savvy, there's no one getting hurt, crippled, bloodied noses or penallty boxes.We do not participate in local or federal politics. We have something even more special "our Island, Our Trails, the occassional deer or moose, a tranquil spot to have a group picnic, a place along the shoreline to see a whale or a porpoise in one of our many coves and harbours. We have fun and friends.

The next walk(s) check your schedule for 7 & 8 May 2006.

Dinner News Flash, April Walks,Causeway and Awards

HERE's Lily

Lily Conrod, a twenty year veteran of The Canadian Volkssport Federation was recently featured in a Dartmouth newsletter, she is the president of The Dartmouth Volkssport Club, walks every day and attends as many volkssport events as possible as evident by the many awards attached to her vest.Lily is proud to tell her age but this scribe will take a more cautious trail and allow her that bit of news. Not to be out done Lily and Lionel will be in Sydney for our meeting and they will be attending our dinner on Saturday 22nd April.







The Ways and Means Committee continue their great work in organizing our Meet & Greet Dinner on 22nd Of April, 5:00pm, at the Cambridge Suites and now a NEWS FLASH they have informed me that Barb Thistle has arranged entertainment for the evening. Come out for the evening and enjoy a fine dinner and the music of David Murray.

Hopefully as many of our club members as possible can come out to this dinner and if you have any questions or want to sign up please contact:
Cal Thistle

Don't forget if you cannot make it to the dinner but would like to attend a walk there are two 10K walk events to select from that start at 10am each morning the first one starts at the Cambridge Suites on Saturday 22 April(this our Sydney YRE) and the other on 23 April at the Glace Bay Miners Museum is a different IVV stamp then the Glace Bay YRE. ---suggestion only--- Walk with the group in the am for the new IVV stamp, have lunch at the museum restaurant then walk our Glace Bay YRE after lunch!


The Causeway Walk Event:

We now have certificates for all participants of our Causeway Walk Event.

I will be giving out the 50th Anniversary Causeway Certificates at the dinner,Club reps. will be asked to pass these on to their members who had walked with us; these certificates are the results of the hard work and dedication of club members Rilla and Jim MacLean of Port Hawkesbury. On behalf of the Island Hoppers I want to thank both Jim and Rilla for their support and work throughout the years and especially the work done for the celebrations of the Canso Causeway festivities during 2006 and the work preceding our walk event.



From the latest edition of 'VOLKSSPORT CANADA'


Event Achievement Awards have been given to:

CAROL HISCOCK Mira Gut for the first 10 Events; congratulations Carol and we hope you continue to enjoy walking with our (your) club members.

CARMEL COFFIN a long time member has been awarded her pin and certificate for attending and completing 225 Events with the Island Hoppers and other volkssport Clubs in the Atlantic area. Well done and very much deserved.

Happy Trails to all!

Moncton NB, First Walk of The Season

The following information has arrived about Atlantic Canada's Newest Volkssport Club

If you are in the area or passing through you may want to join them for a walk or you maybe interested in their 11K YRE starting at The Howard Johnson Hotel 1005 Main Street Moncton, NB,506-854-6340.


From: Al Morrissey
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2006 4:45 PM

Subject: Hub City Wanderers First Guided Walk of the Year


Come out and join the Hub City Wanderer's on Saturday April 8 , for the first of the season's guided walks.

Start point is Lounsbury Centre Parking Lot at 1655 Mountain Road Moncton.

Registration starts at 09:45 With walk Start at 10:00am

Everyone welcome

Regular CVF Fee's Apply

For more info call
Al at home 860-6125

WALKING IN ATLANTIC CANADA

The Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club actively promotes walking on Cape Breton Island and we would also like to introduce our members to what is happening in other parts of The Atlantic Area as well. In the next few weeks we will be entering more Atlantic walks on this site to help keep you informed of what other clubs are doing in the Atlantic Area and if you get time you may want to explore other parts of the area and meet more walkers throughout the year, maybe you can make this a part of your vacation plans!





"Happy is the man who has acquired the love of walking for its own sake" WJ Holland




The above photo was taken in Iona CB and features volkssporters from around the Atlantic Area, other parts of Canada and many friends from the USA.



THE VALLEY TREKKERS - 1996 - 2006 -

The Vally Trekkers will be holding their 10th Anniversary celebrations from June 23-25, 2006 which will include a banquet at the Mid Valley Motel, Main Street, Middelton. The banquet meal will include Roast Beef or Turkey Dinner, complete with all the fixings and Anniversary cake for dessert. The cost of this dinner is $25.00/person.

Send a cheque or Money Order,no later than June 15, 2006 made payable to:

Valley Trekkers Volkssport Club
PO Box 1035 Greenwood NS B0P 1N0

Please indicate Turkey or Beef Dinner and list allergies if any.

Walk Schedule:

Friday, June 23rd - 6:00PM - Wolfville Year Round - Meet at the Robie Tufts Monument, Front St. Registration starts at 5:30PM


Saturday, June 24th - 10:00AM - Bridgetown - meet at the Information Centre, Main St. Registration starts at9:30AM
- 2:0PM - Middelton - meet at the school next to Rotary Park at the end of King St. Registration starts at 1:30PM

Saturday evening 24th of June meet at 6:30PM for Dinner at 7:00PM, Mid Valley Motel/Restaurant, Main St., Middleton, NS

Sunday,June 25th -10:00AM - Kingston - meet at Pinecrest Elementary School, Registration 9:30AM
- 2:30PM - Kentville - meet at the Kingstec Campus Parking Lot, Belcher ST., Registration at 2:00PM

If you require more information please contact: Bert Currie president of The Valley trekkers.

The Mid Valley Motel is offering $20.00 off rooms for volkssporters; 121 Main St., Middleton, NS, 902-825-3433;866-332-3433.





THE CANADIAN VOLKSSPORT FEDERATION (CVF) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND CONVENTION TAKES PLACE:


CVF/FCV CONVENTION 2006
GATEWAY TO WELLNESS
Edmonton, Alberta
12, 13 & 14 May 2006
Shaw Conference Centre


Information for this convention which is open to all volkssporters and interested groups can be found at the website to the right of this page-->






The Valley Trekkers Volkssport Club will host the 2008 Convention at Acadia University, Wolfville NS, May 23-25th.

It would be appreciated if they could have the support of all clubs in Atlantic Canada to follow this through.

Lynda L Kanne
Atlantic Region Director
Canadian Volkssport Federation
97 Palmer Road RR#1
Aylesford NS B0P 1C0

ricklynda.kanne@ns.sympatico.ca



Special Activities for The Central Nova Volkssport Club

September 1 - 4, 2006, Labour Day Weekend

Saturday, Sept. 2 - Potluck supper 6PM at the home of Sally Merriam #3651 Main St., Advocate Harbour

Sunday, Sept. 3 - Turkey Supper 6PM, Advocate Harbour School, Rte 209 just past the Irving Station.
Cost $15.00/person, paid no later than July 31. No refunds after August 10. Make cheques or M.O. payable to:

Central Nova Volkssport Club and mail to: 273 Glenwood Dr., Truro, NS B2N 1R1

For Further Information about walks and other activities contact a member of the Truro group, some brochures will be available here in CB or call Rollie and I will give you contact numbers.

A Brief Walk Schedule:

Friday, Sept 1 - Bass River Lighthouse Walk, 2PM

Saturday,Sept 2 - Cape Chignecto Park Walks, 9AM
- Refugee Cove 25Km
- Millbrook Portion 12Km
- Beach Portion 5Km

Sunday, Sept 3 - two walks at 9AM, carry a lunch, meet at Cape Chignecto Park Information Centre, The Trails are Eatonville to Seal Cove and return or Eatonville Overland Trail; contact the club for further information.

Monday, Sept 4 - Cape d'Or/Spencer's Island walks, 9AM, 5/12Km/18Km, all walkers meet at Advocate Harbour United Church and drive to Start Points.

More Information about other activities will be posted shortly. Watch For:

The Irish Festival in New Brunswick, Kejimujik Seaside Adjunct and National Park

WALK, MEET & GREET NEW FRIENDS, HAVE DINNER & HAVE FUN

Walk Events For April:

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF A MAIL OUT TO ALL CLUB MEMBERS AND TO THOSE WHO HAVE SHOWN SOME INTEREST IN OUR WALK PROGRAM IF YOU DO NOT GET THIS MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE ON OR -AFTER- 21 MARCH PLEASE CONTACT ROLLIE ASAP.

The Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club Walk Events For April 2006 including The Atlantic Area Director for The Canadian Volkssport Federation (CVF) Meeting and Club Dinner.

Sunday, April 02, 2006

2:00 pm - South Head/ Wadden Cove, located between Port Morien and Homeville, If coming from Sydney take Hwy 22 (Louisbourg Hwy.) take a left onto Rte 255Hornes Rd then left towards Port Morien and Waddens Cove.

This is a Guided 10km Event featuring a side trip to one of Cape Bretons oldest Anglican Churchs, coastal views including Scaterie Island, a quiet tranquil country road


Saturday, April 22, 2006


10:00 am - Sydney Walk, Year Round Event, a 10km Guided Group walk open to all members and guests, starting at the Sydney Cambridge Suites, 380 Esplanade; Come see the Big Fiddle and a delightful walk through Sydney’s Baille Ard Walking Trail, check out the sounds and the diverse life in the forest.



12:00 noon – lunch throughout the many locations in the Sydney area of your choice;



2:00 pm – Atlantic Area Directors Meeting with Lynda Kanne, by invitation only, club presidents, trail coordinators and or a club representative;



5:00 pm – Buffet Dinner, Cambridge Suites, by reservation and prepayment, Come Meet and Greet other walking enthusiast from the Atlantic area.
Please see Menu and details below



Sunday, April 23, 2006 – 10:00 am –


Join The Island Hoppers for a 5/10km sanctioned, IVV Guided Walk in Glace Bay at the Miners Museum parking lot, 42 Birkley Street, B1A 5T8, please note this is not our YRE. This is a coastal beach walk plus a stroll through Renwick Brook Park. See a portion of the new downtown area and watch fishermen at work along the harbour.

The Miners Village Restaurant opens for the season on 15th of April 2006; we recommend that you call for reservations if you would like to have lunch before returning home, please call 849-1788.





The dinner and all walks are open to the general public and friends of the Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club. RSVP for the dinner is a must.



Come! Put Your Heel n’ Toe On Our Island!


Dinner and A Walk


The Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club invite you to attend a meet and greet dinner on Saturday, April 22nd at 5:00pm, on the occasion of the 3rd Annual Atlantic Area Directors Meeting. Schedule of Events are attached.

This delicious buffet style dinner will take place at the Cambridge Suites Hotel, 380 Esplanade, Sydney, NS, B1P 1B1, 902-562-6500 or 800-565-9466.depending on numbers.

The Menu:

GOODY’S BUFFET

Appetizer

Soup of the Day

Grilled Caribbean Salad
Assorted Greens; Grilled Pineapple, Mango and Red Onion; Grapes, Walnuts And Caribbean Mango Dressing

Entrée
Baked Ham and Roast Turkey served with Roasted Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Root Vegetables, Cranberry Stuffing, Cranberry sauce and Jus.

Dessert

Warm Apple Crisp or Warm Bread Pudding with Carmel Sauce


The cost of $30.00/person includes all taxes, gratuity, parking in the hotel lot.

Please send a cheque or Money Order made payable to CB Island Hoppers before Monday 17 April 2006 to: Note to Members: a mail out will be sent shortly, please send your cheque to the address given and please let us know if you will or will not be attending, it is important that we know the amount of participation or lack of!!!



RSVP

Cash Bar will be made available upon request, beer & liquor $3.75 and house wines $4.00


Name(s): ______________________No. in your group________

Address: ____________________Telephone:_____________

Amt Enclosed: ___________________Cheq or M. O.

Your desire to have a cash bar open Yes / No

Walk Event For March

The Only Event For March 2006:


Our Next Walk Event: (snowshoe, x-c ski optional) will take place 05 March 2006 at 2pm, registration starts at 1:30pm.

Where: North Sydney, Trans Canada Trail, the intersection of "Old Branch Rd". and Johnson Rd off Exit 2, Hwy 125

This is a 5 or 10K Event, your choice.

Your Event And Distance Books will have a SK+ annotated for this Event and is the last SK+ for this year.

If You did not get a copy of our Regular Walk Schedule For 2006 please contact Rollie and I will be happy to send you a copy plus The Brochure on Celtic Colours Walks 2006.

FROM OUR AREA DIRECTOR, LYNDA KANNE

Hi everyone:

On behalf of the Volkssport Clubs in Atlantic Canada I would like to take this opportunity to welcome David and Vicki to the World of Volkssporting.

David and Vicki have taken over the President and Secretary/Treasure position for the River Valley Trailblazers. Ron Clark remains as Trails Coordinator.

The River Valley Trailblazers (formerly The Oromocto Volkssport Club)

David De Koeyer (President)
Vicki Gustafson (Secretary-Treasurer)
Ron Clark (Trails Coordinator)

I am very pleased that this club will continue and on behalf of The Cape Breton Island Hoppers a sincere welcome to Ron,David and Vicki.....Rollie

2006 Winter Events

Photo by Allan Paruch


Mira Park

Our first Event for 2006 had been delayed on Sunday Feb. 5th due to a a heavy freezing rainfall however we were able to save the IVV stamp and use it the following weekend on Sunday the 12th.
Due to the terrain, the ice and hard snow on the trail all the participants opted to walk instead of snowshoeing this trail, we came across many bare patches of gravel.
The park at this time of the year is a pleasant winterland of delight and is well used by local crosscountry skiers and snowshoers.

The 15 participants of this Event were happy to get out of the house for the day and enjoy the fresh crisp coool (-7c)air. Snow flurries were in the air as we departed for the walk and by the time we returned to our cars there was a full blown snow storm. Overall this was a great walk and all returned home safely.

Kennington Cove/ Louisbourg

A very cold day at approx. -10/11c with a wind did not deter 11 members of the Island Hoppers from this walk event. The trail was snow packed with many open area of gravelled trail, much too difficult for snowshoes and skis. This is a trail that we have followed in the summertime on other occassions but again the winter gives you a different perspective on the local landscape. Deer, rabbits and a possble coyote (or was that a big dog) were abundant throughout the trail.

North Sydney

There is one more Event that is designated SK+ (optional walk, snowshoe, x-c ski Events) for this year. This next Event is in North Sydney at the trail head to the Trans Canada Trail, "old Branch Road" off the Johnson Road.
Sunday, March 5th, 2006, Registration begins at 1:30pm (1330H) and we start walking at 2:00pm (1400H). Lets hope for good weather.