A NEW IVV SANCTIONED WALK EVENT

The following walk is an addition to our 2005 schedule of events for this September, come out an support your club and the newest members of the (CVF) Canadian Volkssport Federation, "The Northeast Highland Hiking Adventures".

The Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club will host one (1) IVV sanctioned event during the Highland Hiking September 16 to 25, 2005.

When: Saturday, Sept. 17th, 2pm
Start Point: Keltic Lodge parking lot
Trail: Middle Head Trail and Ingonish Beach
Dist: 10K 2C IVV Sanctioned
Walk Leader(s): Rollie and a rep. from the "festival" Dupie Milne-Ashton.

If you want more information about the "Highland Festival" and a registration package for other walks or hikes during this hiking festival, contact pat.leblanc64407@ns.sympatico.ca at 1-888-897-4094.

REMINDERS:

The Cape Breton Island Hoppers are now featured on the Celtic Colours website with one full page dedicated to our Celtic Colours Walks program and you can even download a copy of our lunch and dinner registration form on the same site.

If you haven't already done so please register soonest for the lunch and dinner on Sunday the 9th of October 2005.

Registration must be done by the 19th of Sept to allow time for the caterer and the Highland Village to make the required preparations.

If you plan oncoming for the day and do not register for the meals we cannot guarantee you a place at the table(s). Preference will and must be given to those who have taken the time to plan the day by preregistering.

Two Meals For $33.00/person!!

The Iona/Grand Narrows area is one of the ideal picture postcard areas on the island, however there are few restaurants if any nearby especially in the fall of the year.

Come out and enjoy the walks (probably the easiest for this year) and have a good meal after the events and enjoy the friendship of fellow volkssporters.

I believe The quote that our Area Director Lynda kanne uses on her signature block sums it up quite nicely:


There is nothing like walking to get the feel of a country.
A fine landscape is like a piece of music; it must be taken
at the right tempo. Even a bicycle goes too fast.
- Paul Scott Mowrer

GOOD NEWS!

The Island Hoppers are now associated with PATHWAYS CAPE BRETON who will be coordinating trails, walking, hiking, cyclist, snowmobile an ATV groups and almost anything to do with the outdoors and active people such as ourselves. You can go to their website for a more accurate description of their mandate and please note our links from their site to ours under walking/hiking.

ONE OF OUR MOST FAVORITE WALK EVENTS!

The next walk for the Island Hoppers takes place in Gabarus on the Gull Cove Trail.

Sunday, 28 of August at 2pm, rgistration begins at 1:30pm

OUR FAVORITE WALK LEADER for this event is Bill&Shirley Boutilier

If you require more info check our websites calendar of events.

YES, we are paying to much for GAS, so lets do something about it!

one solution, stay at home and we can all become couch potato(e)s!

OR another solution "CAR POOL" and enjoy the company of fellow walkers!

OR you could "Walk/bicycle-scooter" to the nearest "Year Round Event" with your event and distance book in hand and support your club.

Thank you to all who are supporting our "Year Round Events" during these hard over inflated gas price times.

A WALK ACROSS CANADA"s LATEST NATIONAL HERITAGE SITE

The 50th Anniversary of "The Strait of Canso Causeway" and our 10k walk began with a cloudy cool day, The Island Hoppers set up a Start Point across the highway from the "Gut of Canso Museum" and just left of the Skye Motel in Port Hastings on the Cape Breton side of the causeway.
Thirty-seven walkers signed-in for the event and we were led off by Piper Heather MacLeod and our Honouary Walk Leader Rilla MacLean. Rollie lead the walk across the causeway to the weigh station near Auld's Cove and as usual the weather cooperated with a light drizzle of rain as we returned to the Cape Breton side.
At the swing bridge there is a small isthmus of land where there is a lighthouse perched on a hill and a pioneer graveyard, where there is seven lonely gravesites of former settlers to this area. We had a short break in this area and when we entered the coast guard and DFO area Rollie and Lynda Kanne were interviewed by a local FM radio station.
We continued to the Trans Canada Trail/Ghost Beach portion of this event and by this time it began to rain; Rollie reminded everyone that this is a great beach and trail with a wonderful view of the mainland and the strait area on a more sunnier day.
Except for the rain everyone had a good time and many returned to the Port Hastings firehall for a cold plate dinner and then onto the official ceremonies and the official parade across the "Road to the Isle".

Sunday, 14th of August, 9am, Tanya MacNutt of the Central Nova Volkssport Club (CNVC)led 23 participants on a very nice 5-10k walk event along the boardwalks and beach at Pomquet Provincial Park.This is one of the hidden jewells of NS, the white sandy beach of this area had only four swimmers including the two lifeguards while we were there for our walk event.
My sincere Thanks to Tanya and Tom MacNutt for hosting this event on the mainland and then coming to our afternoon walk on Cape Breton at Craigmore.
At Craigmore we were hosted by Clare and Blaise MacNeil. Clare led us on another 10k beach walk (the mtn trail was cancelled due to a number of deadfalls along the trail) and Blaise led another group along the Ceilidh/Rail Trail for those who wanted a nice flat 1B trail.
After the walk event we had a BBQ/picnic where Lynda Kanne the Atlantic Area Director presented Bill and Shirley Boutilier with the 5 year Ron Colpitts award for exceptional volunteer work with volkssporting, along with the award Lynda read a letter from The CVF President Graham Fawcett thanking both for their time and effort in promoting The Island Hoppers and CVF.
Overall a great weekend of walking and socializing.

WANT TO SEE MORE PICTURES OF OUR CAUSEWAY WALK "CLICK ON TRAIL PHOTOS" --->

Fun, Fitness and Friendship

AUGUST 13th and 14th Causeway Celebrations

WALK PROGRAM, HOTELS, ROOMS, Campsites, BBQ/Picnic, Pot Luck.

There's a lot going on at the Causeway this year during the 50th Anniversary of this most important "Road to the Isle".

Check out their website at:The Causeway

OUR WALK PROGRAM FOR:

The 13th Of August (Saturday) we will start our walk at 10am, please register early 09:30am
The walk begins to the left of the Skye Motel, the property known as "Gut Of Canso Museum".
Please watch for our signs and follow the Parking attendants directions.

WHEN THE WALK BEGINS YOU WILL BE ASKED TO STAY IN SINGLE FILE WHILE CROSSING THE CAUSEWAY.

"SAFETY", "SAFETY", "SAFETY"

We will turn around near the weigh station and after crossing the bridge we will go into the lighthouse area for pictures then continue our event in behind the Coast Guard/DFO complex at the "locks" to the Trans Canada Trail and Ghost Beach.

The official Ceremonies for the Causeway begin at 2pm, there will be shuttle buses available, but please note this is not The Island Hoppers Responsibility; also note that I have published information on a previous post about a cold plate meal available at the Port Hasting Fire Hall, beginning at 11am.

NEED A ROOM:
If you are planning on going to Port Hawkesbury and Port Hasting for the weekend, please be advised that everything in the area is booked solid for the 12-14 of August (motels, cabins and B&Bs).

There are places still available in Antigonish for the weekend:

The Claymore ($125) and Coastal Inn ($75)

The checkinns number for NS is 1-800-565-0000.

Saint Francis Xavier University is also available for the weekend as Rollie & Ann have booked a room at a reasonable price.

The phone number is 1-902-867-2855 or www.stfx.ca

If you planned to do the Pomquet walk on Sunday morning, then Antigonish would be convenient for you.

The Pomquet Beach Walk starts at 9:00am, Sunday 14 of August

This walk is hosted by the Central Nova Volkssport Club and the Walk Leader is Tanya MacNutt.

Directions:

From Hwy 104, take Pomquet exit. Turn left at Pomquet Beach Rd. sign. Drive 3.5k to Pomquet Provincial Beach sign (turn right), continue to parking lot to SP.

This is a 5/10k, Rated 1B

The Cape Breton Island Hoppers will host a walk event on Sunday afternoon (14th of August) at 1:00pm

Creignish Mountain Trail, from Port Hastings follow Hwy 19N, approx 10-15min. to Craigmore, house #3086, home of Clare & Blaise McNeil who will also be our walk leaders for this event.

This is a GW, 10k, 3C event.

Blaise & Clare will also host our Annual BBQ and Potluck immediately after this walk event and if you need a camping spot please contact Clare at 1-902-625-2899, she maybe able to assist you in this regard as well.

This is a lot of work for one couple and I want to thank them for their efforts, please show your support, show up for the walk and check with the Ways and Means Committee if you can bring something or help in some way. This is part of the Fun of volkssporting and meeting and associating with old walking friends.

The weather will be great!! Let Us Pray.

GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK

The Chebucto Hiking Club invite all volksmarchers to a hiking adventure in Gros Morne National Park, 24-28 August 2005.

Fives Days Of Hiking in Gros Morne National park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The hikes are scheduled so that there is ample time to enjoy the cultural and other activities in the area.

The Walk Schedule in Brief:

24 Aug - 2p.m. Baker Brook Falls Trail - 10k - R-2B

25 Aug - 10a.m. James Callaghan Trail - 10k - R-3C or 16k - 4D

26 Aug - 10a.m Lookout Trail - 5k - R-3C

26 Aug - 1p.m. Trout River Pond Trail - 15k - R-3C

27 Aug - 10a.m. Western Brook Pond/ Snug Harbour Trail - 7/15k - R-2B

28 Aug - 10a.m. Green Garden Trail - 10k - R-3C or 16k - R-4C

There will be a banquet, a three course turkey dinner, 7pm on Saturday, 27 August at the Ocean View Motel

Details of this event are in a brochure that I have distributed at our walk events.

you can also contact:

Gerry Everard
c/o Chebucti Hiking Club,
PO Box 26018, Portland Street Market R.P.O.
Dartmouth, NS
B2W 6P3

Or email:

For Further details contact:

Judy Everard, President

judyandgerry@eastlink.ca

Chebucto Hiking Club

Fun, Fitness, & Friendship for all volksmarchers.

COMING EVENTS

SUNDAY, JULY 24th

Our first open meeting to help plan the 2006 schedule was held at the radar base on the Lingan Road.

My thanks to Barb and Cal Thistle, for arranging to have this facility opened for us.

Thank you, to all those who brought a small tray of sandwiches and sweets.

This was our first try at having an open meeting to help plan the schedule for the next year; I felt it was a reasonable success and a lot of good suggestions were passed onto me and the walk committee to help with the final schedule.

My objective was to get suggestions of where you the members want to walk next year.

WE got off to a slow start with trying to fill in the entire year within a 2 hour period; therefore we settled on trails suggested by the membership and the Walk Committee will fill in the blanks as it were; hopefully this will meet with everyones approval.

The walk committee will be opened for any other new trails that you feel we should try in the next year. "Your suggestions and opinions are important to us and your fellow club members".

Thank You to all who gave up their Sunday afternoon, your interest shows that the club has a continuing future here on the Island.

Little time was spent on talking about bringing the CVF's Annual General Meeting and Convention to Cape Breton in 2008, however a brief on the subject was passed out to the attending members, if you would like a copy please let me know and I can either email an attachment or have copies available at the next walk event.


Grand River Falls and Fish Ladders

July 31 at 2pm, registration begins at 1:30pm

Walk Leader: Rollie Coombes, 849-0747

Guided Walk 11k,Rated 2C

See our Calendar of Events for directions and watch for clubs <-Volkssport signs





CHANGE TO START POINT, 13 August, Canso Causeway Walk Event

Due to the many activities and limited parking at the original Start Point, The Tourist Info Centre Port Hastings we are forced to move our registration Point.

1. Parking will be available near the green space to the east of the Skye
Lodge in the village of Port Hastings. Go down the steep gravel hill (by the
sewage pumping station) and park on the left side of the road (that runs
parallel to the railroad track) to exit back onto the highway by the second
driveway.

2. We will try to reserve that area specifically for Volkssport people
but advise coming early (by 9:00 am to 9:30 am).

Volkssport signs will be placed at the entrance 09:00.

3. There is no charge for parking although The Port Hastings Historical
Society is a NFP organization trying to raise money for a new museum. Visit
our Gut of Canso Museum on Church Street just across the road from the green
area. There is a picture of Ole Olsen and Helene Veil with some Cape Breton Island
Hoppers at the Causeway in the Crossing for a Cause display.

4. The Port Hastings Historical Society is having a cold plate dinner at
the Fire Hall from 11:00 am until they run out. The cost is $10 for potato
salad, ham, tomato, cucumber, roll and dessert.

5. Some members of the Society are concerned about safety if you park on
the green area, There are some large rocks and old foundations that could
present some problems. Also they don't want any parking there if the grass
is wet. Finally, there will not be someone there all day, just for awhile in
the morning.

6. The Re-enactment will start at 2:00 pm from the mainland to Cape
Breton. Before 2:00 pm a parade of about 100 1950's era cars will drive
across the causeway. About 300 pipers and drummers will march across after
the ribbon is cut at 2 pm followed by dignitaries and invited guests. At 3
pm on the canal site, the official ceremony with speakers will be held.

7. On Saturday, there will be tours of the Cape Porcupine Quarry site in
Aulds Cove, Quilt Display at St. David's church in Port Hastings, and Canso
Canal tours.

If you have any questions call Rilla at 625-2411.

Thanks.

Rilla

CAPE SMOKEY BBQ + MEETING ON 24 JULY

The Ways & Means Committee chaired by Barb Thistle have announced that they will hold a BBQ on top of Cape Smokey immediately after our Walk Event on Sunday, 17 of July, at minimal cost.

Special needs diets please bring your own and "Cal the Cook" I am sure will let you use his grill.

Members are asked to bring a very small sweet tray and the Ways and Means will look after the rest.

Hope to see you all at the Top Of Smokey at 1:30pm for registration.


MEETING ON THE 24th OF JULY, 2PM

RADAR BASE, Schooner Curling Club

This is an open meeting for all club members to discuss the 2006 walk schedule

In the past we have allowed the president and walk committee chair to set the schedule, of course they will still do that but your input as a member would be most appreciated and welcomed. There will be coffee/tea and sandwiches available.

LIGHTHOUSE WALK EVENTS ACROSS CANADA

The Canadian Volkssport Federation (CVF) has instituted Lighthouse Walks across Canada for 2006.

Lighthouse Walks will be Year Round Events (YREs) or Seasonals (any type);

Walks must pass lighthouses that were or are the responsibility of the Canadian Coast Guard;

Lighthouse walks will be identified in Footpaths/Sentiers 2006;

A fee of $3 will be charged at time of application;

Application will be made to the CVF office;

A lighthouse pin and documents will be sent to the walker at time of application;

There will be Three Award Levels:

Any 6 lighthouse walks - Certificate as Assistant Lighthouse Keeper

8 lighthouse walks, with at least 2 from each coast - Certificate as Lighthouse Keeper

12 Lighthouse walks, with at least 4 from each coast - Certificate as Superintendent of lights.

My intentions for this program is to submit our Louisbourg and Baddeck YREs.
New brochures and applications for both YREs will be submitted to the CVF when we reapply for our Year Round Events, plus a new logo to represent these lighthouses will appear on the related documents.

-Leg Rash in the Heat -

The Following article was submitted by Ann and Phil Irons,the original article was taken from the walklist group program and is passed on for information only.

Leg Rash in the Heat - Golfer's Vasculitis

The common heat leg rash now has a name
Go to any multi-day walking event in the summer and you will see it - a red leg rash on the calves of many walkers. Often it starts above the sock line and makes red patches and splotches up their calves. It usually doesn't itch. We believe it is a heat-related leg rash as these same walkers don't get it in cooler weather.

What is it?

Golfer's Vasculitis

Ask most physicians about this common rash and they draw a blank. That is probably due to few people seeking medical help for it. By the time they got a doctor's appointment, it would have cleared up, as it commonly goes away in a couple of days. At last, a paper in the "Australasian Journal of Dermatology" has described it and proposed naming it "Golfer's vasculitis."

Causes of the Heat Leg Rash:

The research article said many people underwent extensive allergy testing, believing they must be having a reaction to some chemical or plant.
But it is simply an irritation of the blood vessels following prolonged exercise in the heat, such as walking for extended periods or playing 18 holes of golf. It is more common in people over 50. In my experience, walkers can't pinpoint anything new they used that may be causing a reaction. And so many walkers have it that they couldn't all have contacted the same irritant. The source is simply heat and age, your leg blood vessels getting irritated from the heat.

Prevention

The research offered no treatment or prevention. It seems to occur in healthy, active people and they suggest it should not be a health concern. They recommend not getting allergy testing, etc.

Treatment

FROM THE AUTHOR OF THIS ARTICLE:

In my non-medical experience at Breast Cancer 3-Day Walks and walking conventions, this rash appears on a vast range of walkers and commonly goes away by itself after a few days. Pampering yourself after a good day's long walk with a cool bath, sitting with your feet up, or using cool wet towels on the rash areas may be relieving.

Other Heat Rashes

Heat Rash - Prickly Heat

Unlike Golfer's vasculitis, prickly heat is itchy.It is caused by blocked sweat glands, and causes raised itchy red dots or bumps.It is best treated by getting out of the heat for a few days, and not scratching.

Itchy Legs Syndrome

If your legs are itchy during or after exercise, with no relation to heat, you may have exercise urticaria.

So now we have a name(s) for all that itching and scratching on the trail.

PATHWAYS ASSOCIATION OF CAPE BRETON

Please check out this fairly new association which I believe that we can work with to promote our club, volkssporting plus tourism and the trails of Cape Breton.

PATHWAYS CAPE BRETON

I have linked our pages to their site and in turn we are linked to PATHWAYS as well.

We will be registered as members in the very near future, you can read about the advantages of membership on their site.

Our next Walk Event is 17 July at Cape Smokey, start time is 2pm, registration 1:30pm

Louisbourg Lighthouse

Our theme for this year is Cape Breton Lighthouses, here is a photo of the light at Louisbourg.
In 2006 The Atlantic Area will feature Lighthouse Walks in conjunction with the Year Round Events and we will be submitting Louisbourg as our contribution to these Events; more details will be featured on a later post to this website.

01 July 2005, Canada Day

Thank you Barb and Cal Thistle for the work you did on the walk event at Petersfield Provincial Park.
If anyone has an updated photo, please send it to me and I will publish it ASAP.
My apologies to Barb and Cal for not being able to attend this walk.

Hope to see you all on the 17th of July at 1330 hrs at Cape Smokey for an 11k walk/hike; be prepared carry lots of water, good hiking boots, sun block, INSECT REPELLANT.

Canada Day Walk and Previous Walks For June

Check Your Schedule For 01 July 2005 at 0900am, CANADA DAY WALK EVENT.
Petersfield Provincial Park in Westmount.
The walk leaders for this event will be Barb and Cal Thistle; wear something red or a canadian symbol, check out last years Trail Photos on the proper dress code for this special event; Barb and Cal know how to dress for this special day!!

Come out and have fun, there is a community picnic, games and displays, local veterans will be honoured on this day, sponsored by the Westmount Canada Day Committee.

There were 16 walkers at our last walk, Sunday,June 26th, in Point Aconi, this turned out to be a very pleasant walk, the weather was great, the start point was at the former DEVCO Prince Mine entrance gate, this was the last working underground coal mine on the island.
Bill Boutilier lead the walk and we got to see a close up view of the Point Aconi Power Plant, then proceeded down a country road, more of a trail then a road, a walk into a well hidden but great beach. During the walk we also got a view of the area that may or may not be used as a strip mine for coal, though there is the remanants of a former strip mine that is slowly beginning to heal as scare would upon flesh.
The highlight of the walk was the view from the Point Aconi lighthouse, the Bird Islands stand out off the coast and Cape Smokey could be seen in the far distance and we could see the Newfoundland ferry approaching North Sydney and a flottila of local fishing boats.!!
Normally I would like too put the same walk on again the following year, however we have the problem of not knowing if the area that we travelled on today will be there next year as there is a mining consortium wanting to re-establish a strip mine in this area. During this walk we encountered a small group who are trying to Stop Strip Mine in Point Aconi. They pointed out the area to be mined, the country side here would be devastated, the trail/walk would be ruined!!

I wish this group, my personal (Stop Strip Mine)the best of luck, though each of you are entitled to your own opinion as well.
We have made it a policy not to get political or walk for causes, each of us can do what we feel is correct for our community.

Our walk at Long Point Provincial Park, Sunday, 12th of June was led by Jim McLean, though we had to move the start point to Walkers Cove Road, as the trail at Long Point which leads into the Ceilidh Trail(Trans Canada Trail system)was in very rough shape; work is being carried out on the trail so there are many deadfalls and a water course.
At Walkers Cove Road we departed with 12 walkers and had a great view of the ocean and the Nova Scotia mainland, lots of great homes along the trail, at the 5k turn around point the clouds opened up and we experienced heavy rains on the way back, however all those who attended this walk were happy to have done this part of the trail and we had done it on full stomachs as all had attended the turkey dinner at the Creignish hall before the walk.
Volksmarchers and food seem to go well together!
Thank You Jim for a great walk, not to much you can do about the weather....

There is nothing like walking to get the feel of a country.
A fine landscape is like a piece of music; it must be taken
at the right tempo. Even a bicycle goes too fast.
- Paul Scott Mowrer

The above quote was taken from Lynda Kannes, e-mail signature block; do you have anything similiar you would like to share with us on this site?


The last word about Elizabeth Nifort, she is good and MAY be transfered to a ward in the next few days if all goes well. Flowers and a card were sent on behalf of the club.
Our friend Lionel Conrad will in his words, "go under the knife", continious knee problems.

FROM THE PRESIDENT and on behalf of the CHAIR OF THE WALK COMMITTEE: The schedule for 2006 is being prepared, the club members are asked to submit any new walks/trails you feel should be considered for next years events.

Come on folks get involved its your club too!!

HALF WAY POINT FOR 2005

and its almost Time to Clip the "+" Sign:

Its hard to believe that we are soon going into the second half of our 2005 schedule; on or about the 30th of June, we will be taking the plus sign "+" off the Year Round Events (YRE's) stamps. If you have not done a YRE this year you only have a short time to get out and do the five YRE walks with the "+" sign.

The IVV rules, for the YRE's, allow only one stamp for each walk event in your "Event Book" however for the year round events you may stamp your book twice a year, once with the "+" plus sign before the 30th of June each year and then you may stamp again on or after 1st of July without the "+" sign.

PLEASE NOTE: The group walk in Glace Bay on the 22nd of May was not a Year Round Event, therefore if you have not walked our Glace Bay YRE, you still have time to stamp your EVENT BOOK with the "+" sign and then walk again on or after 01 July.

Don't forget that those of you who have been frequent walkers, using our YRE's should have paid $2.00 at the start of the year and then only $1.00 thereafter when and if you are stamping your Distance Book.

THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE STAMPING OF DISTANCE BOOKS, as long as you do the walk and register, put your $1.00 in the envelope, keep on stamping as you see fit.

At the beginning of the second term on or after the 1st of July you are asked to again put $2.00 in the envelopes provided and $1.00 thereafter for the distance (no limit on distance) stamp each time you walk the respective Event.

The Year Round Events are sanctioned by the Canadian Volkssport Federation and the IVV at a cost of $100.00 each to the club plus $10.00 for insurance, we have 5 YRE's on the Island at a grand total of $550.00.

Your donations of $1 & $2 and those of our volkssporting visitors to the island help to defer this cost and allows your club to continue to operate as a non profit organization.

There will be a $2.00 increase in the insurance rate , beginning 01 January, 2006 which is reflected in the price above for our Year Round Events. This will also effect our Guided Walks (GW's), we will now be paying a total of $40.00 for all of these sanctioned walks as well.

COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR CLUB!

SENIORS EXPO, HALIFAX, NS

PARTICIPATION BY THE ATLANTIC VOLKSSPORT CLUBS

Our Atlantic Director Lynda Kanne set up an information table at the seniors expo in Halifax and has sent the following messages outlining the results:


Hi everyone:

Just to let you all know that the Seniors Expo went well. We left there with very positive feelings. There were over 200 inquiries over the two day period. The main interest was in the Halifax/Dartmouth area although we did have several from the Valley area, Truro area, half a dozen from the Fundy area and eight people from various parts of Cape Breton mainly in the Port Hawkesbury area. Several schedules were handed out as well as information on who we are and what we do.

It would be very interesting to know how many new walkers show up at our walks that had heard about us through the Seniors Expo. Maybe over the next couple of months you could all ask them how they heard about Volkssporting and report back to me how many from the Expo.

I would like to give special thanks to Beth Moore and Sandy Bishop who came out to help on Friday afternoon and also to Roger Arsenault who did an excellent job of setting up on Thursday. Without their help I would have been doing it all by myself.

I am looking forward to doing it again next year and would like to have more help. So keep it in mind for the 2nd week in June 2006. Only a couple of hours of your time on the display and you are free to see the rest of the Expo and entertainment at no cost to you.

See you on the trails,

Lynda L Kanne
Atlantic Region Director
Canadian Volkssport Federation



There is nothing like walking to get the feel of a country.
A fine landscape is like a piece of music; it must be taken
at the right tempo. Even a bicycle goes too fast.
- Paul Scott Mowrer

New Brunswick's River Valley Trailblazers

The following message was sent by the President of the former Oromocto Volkssport Club, now known as The River Valley Trailblazers.

This is very discouraging, disheartening news when a club must cancel all of its 20th Anniversary Events!

From Ray Mulholland:

IT IS WITH GREAT SORROW THAT I MUST INFORM YOU THAT DUE TO LACK OF INTEREST,
I MUST CANCEL ALL OF THE RIVER VALLEY TRAILBLAZERS' 20TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS.
IT IS ONLY TWO WEEKS AWAY AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED EVEN ONE REGISTRATION FOR
THE DINNER IN A COVERED BRIDGE FROM OUTSIDE OUR CLUB.

PLEASE GIVE THIS EMAIL THE WIDEST DISTRIBUTION POSSIBLE.

River Valley Trailblazers
Ray MULHOLLAND, President
79 Waasis Farm Road
Waasis, NB-CANADA E3B 9A9
506-446-6979

Note to myself:
The Cape Breton Island Hoppers have a 10th Anniversary in 2007 and I have been working on a "Proposal to bring the Canadian Volkssport Federations Annual General Meeting and Convention to Cape Breton" in 2008???

Elizabeth Nifort, Dartmouth Volksmarch Club

A bit of sad and shocking news has been received from Lionel Conrod and passed onto our Area Director Lynda Kanne.

Elizabeth is well known to the Island Hoppers as she is the walk leader for most of the DVC walk events when they visit Cape Breton.

From Lionel: I thought I would wait until I had more details to tell you and also some good news to report.

Tuesday Report:

An unfortunate illness has fallen upon one of our most active and supportive Club members. Elizabeth Nifort suffered a brain aneurysm rupture on Monday. Elizabeth was about to visit her mother at Oakwood Terrace Nursing Home Monday morning and apparently was taken by the illness as she got out of her car; somebody spotted her and she was taken quickly to the Dartmouth General Hospital next door. Later, transferred to the Emergency at the VG - Infirmary site. Elizabeth was in the Operating Room for 8 hours, she is now responding to treatment but not out of danger. Absolutely no visitors, only immediate family members allowed. Elizabeth must get her rest and not be upset or excited in any manner during the next 8 or 9 days while in intensive care.

Close friends of Elizabeth, Tom and Hildegard Mahar, have passed the above information over to me. I was speaking with Hildegard again this evening after she had visited the hospital today. Elizabeth did open her eyes today and seemed to recognize Hildegard, she held out her hand and fell back to sleep. The surgeon is cautiously optimistic.

Wednesday Morning Report

The news from the hospital this morning has improved. Hildegard was speaking with the hospital staff this morning said that Elizabeth was eating a bit of Jell-O today and they indicated that Elizabeth was doing quite well.

Another member, who has contacts/relatives at the hospital, indicated that a "doctor friend" visited Elizabeth this morning. He told Elizabeth that her friends were concerned and Elizabeth said to say "hello". This doctor also looked at Elizabeth's charts and he thought the prognosis was good and when Elizabeth is out of ICU she could be receiving visitors.

NOTE: It is possible for a complete recovery after a brain aneurysm rupture.


Wednesday Afternoon Report

Hildegard Maher phoned Lionel after returning from a visit with Elizabeth at the hospital, with the following update:

Elizabeth is doing better than expected and may be out of ICU in a day or two. After that she will be allowed to have visitors. She is able to move all of her limbs, which is a good sign of a recovery. The nurse stated that Elizabeth responded to treatment very well and would probably sit her up in a chair today. Elizabeth was able to converse with Hildegard quite well and recalls seeing Hildegard last week. The staff have to wake Elizabeth every hour to ensure blood clots are not causing a problem.

Elizabeth is happy to know that Hildegard and Tom are looking after her little doggy. Hildegard was quite happy with her visit today.

Hopefully, we'll be able to pass on good news to you in a few days.

Please keep Elizabeth in your prayers.

Thanks to Lionel for keeping us up-to-date.

Lynda Kanne

On behalf of the Members and Executive of the Cape Breton Island Hoppers I would like to extend our best wishes to Elizabeth and a speedy recovery. We shall soon meet again, see you on the trail Elizabeth. Rollie

LONG POINT PROVINCIAL PARK

The Ceilidh Coastal Trail walk event takes place at Long Point Provincial Park; not the Community Hall in Creignish as in previous walk events in this area. The provincial park is approx 8-10 Km further north on Hwy 19.

Our walk begins at 2PM and registration starts at 1:30 PM, on Sunday 12th of June, the walk leader is Jim McLean.
This is a Guided 10K Walk Event, Rated at 1B, a nice easy stroll for all ages and abilities, though Rilla tells me a little to rough for a wheelchair.

There is a Turkey dinner available at the Creignish Community Centre on Sunday as well, between 11:00 AM and 2:00pm for $10.00 p/p, this is not organized by our club nor do we take responsibility for the great food and hospitality of the Creignish group.

A further foot note to this event: This walk event is registered in the "Parks are for People" pamphlet that I have been passing out at our last two walks, if you would like a copy contact me on the walk, as I have registered several other walks that take place in NS Provincial Parks here on our island.

Lets have a good turn out and a great walk event!

CEILIDH COASTAL TRAIL

LONG POINT, PROVINCIAL PARK on Sunday, June 12th at 2:00pm is the next walk event for the Cape Breton Island Hoppers with Jim McLean as our walk leader for this event.

Check our schedule of events for directions and if you want to participate in the annual dinner at Creignish we suggest you call the Community Centre for details, (902.625.1476).

The Walk Committee nor the club president cannot be held responsible for the dinner or any changes that have occured since the publication of our walk schedule!

Please note that our annual schedule of walk events and our Celtic Colours Walks are now on line.

My sincere thank you to Phil Irons for the work he has done in putting the schedule into our website.

SEE YOU ALL ON THE TRAIL!

INTERNATIONAL TRAILS DAY, NORTH SYDNEY

The Island Hoppers started out on the Trans Canada Trail at 10:00am, Saturday, 4th of June 05 with 16 participants.

We had great walking weather, not to hot, a cloudy day with a cool breeze that kept the men from sweating and the lady walkers from perspiring!

This was a separate IVV sanctioned event from our North Sydney, Year Round Event and the walkers had a choice to complete a 5, 10 or 15K walk.

The far end of this trail is a portion of the route that we (Island Hoppers) have neglected over the years but one that we will remedy in the schedule for 2006.

Isabel and Robin Grant, our walk leaders for todays event, are already planning a new walk for next year starting at Georges River so that we can enjoy a stroll along the Scotch Lake portion of the trail.