Woolwich Trails Group
Wednesday February 18, 2009
Meeting Minutes
Those attending: Loretta Dunn, Alf Lemp, Inga Rinne, Ann Roberts, Clint Rohr, Pete Scheuring, Nancy Stayzer, Gloria Yeung (and Emily).
1- Installation of cedar signs:
Mark offered to pound in the posts with his son at the end of March/beginning of April. Ann will email the group once the posts are in to organize a time to install signs. Alf, Gloria, Nancy and Clint offered to help.
2.- Guidebook, website and promo
Guidebook and website: There are currently 39 guidebooks on-hand. Group discussed timing to print more. Should we make updates to the guidebook first? John Robinson emailed to note that the email address on the back cover and on pages 3,4 and 5 is outdated. Inga noted that a new email address will be confirmed on Feb 20 at the coordinating committee meeting.
Loretta wonders if it is time to change the format of the guidebook and the website. We need to use our website much more effectively to attract people to hikes and as members. We could highlight a few trails in the guidebook and then “drive” people to the website for more info. Gloria wondered if we should continue with the guidebook or simply direct people to the information on the website. Group agreed that people still like to have a paper copy of the guidebook with them and that if is often an item that tourists like to purchase. Inga views the guidebook as a good PR tool about the group and local trails. Loretta feels that we need to have printable trail maps on the website. If we decide to go this route, we may need to hire someone to do this work. Perhaps we can update the guidebook now and make major changes to the web site later.
Decision made to simply update the website address in the guidebook and print enough (200-300) to get us through Healthy Communities month. Gloria offered to call Jim to see if he is able to do a print run.
Alf noted that the link to the WHC website on the GVT website is not working. Ann will advise Jamie Hember, GVTA.
Promo: Loretta offered to contact the media regarding the April hikes.
Inga noted the importance of collecting email contact info from participants at HC month activities this year. This would form a contact list to email information about 2010 HC month activities. Ann to revise the hike waiver forms to include a column for email addresses.
3- Membership
Brenda mailed the membership renewal packages last week.
Brenda would like to step down as membership secretary. She has offered to monitor the mail until a replacement is found.
Ann will ask John to post the membership secretary posting on the website.
Please contact Ann if you are interested in this volunteer opportunity.
4- GVT update
Joyce sent an update by email:
The GVT is hosting some end to end hikes as part of the GRCA’s 75th anniversary celebrations. Please visit www.gvta.on.ca
5- School Hike Day
St. Jacobs school hike day is planned for Friday April 24, 11:30 to 1 pm. WTG members are invited to walk with the students. Students will walk with their reading buddies and will do a scavenger hunt with Bingo cards. Agreed to hand out book marks this year. Pete offered that if the Optimist logo was included on the book mark then the Optimist club could sponsor the book marks. Gloria offered to look into getting 350 book marks printed. Nancy is also drafting an outline with directions on how to host a school hike day. This outline could be used by other schools which may be interested in planning a school hike day.
6- Healthy Communities Month Activities
Three hikes are planned:
Sunday April 5, 2 pm.
2 hour hike on the newest trails in Breslau.
Join Loretta and Lisa to discover the two newest trails in Breslau: The Hopewell Trail and the Riverland Trail. Please dress for possible wet, rainy weather. Please meet Loretta and Lisa at Breslau Public School, located at 58 Joseph Street (at the corner of Joseph St. and Dolman St.).
Sunday April 19, 2 pm:
2 hour birding hike on the Health Valley Trail, St. Jacobs
Join Mark Bauman for birding and hiking. Meet at the kiosk at the trail entrance behind the fire station in St. Jacobs. Take King St. N. to Albert St. Turn right or east on Albert St. and continue to the kiosk at the back of the parking lot.
Trail rating: first half is stone dust; second half is natural path.
School hike day: Friday April 24, 11:30 to 1pm. See above notes.
Other Healthy Communities Month Events:
Please visit the website for more details.
Monday April 6: A Taste of Woolwich, 5-8 pm, St. Jacobs Community Centre.
Saturday April 18: Green Technology Fair (11-5 pm) and Alternative Energy Tour (1-4 pm)
Saturday April 25: Community Clean-up Day, 8:30 to noon. Please contact Ann at 669-6027 or trails@woolwich.ca if you would like to help clean up your community. Sponsored by TWEEC and Tim Hortons.
Saturday April 25: Yellow Fish Road Project
Saturday April 25: Green movie night at Calvary United Church, Elmira, 7 pm. “Flow”
Saturday April 26: Canoeing the Grand with Clint Rohr. Contact Clint at 664- 2661 or clintrohr@auracom.com for details.
Tues April 28, Wed April 29: Clean Waterways Tree Planting
Saturday May 2, 8:30 to noon: Roadside Tree Planting. Please contact Ann at 669-6027 or trails@woolwich.ca if you would like to help with this tree planting project.
7- Personality Dimensions Workshop: Monday March 23, 1-4:30 pm
The Health Centre is hosting a workshop facilitated by Barb Dyzsuk: Find out your “colour” and how people can communicate more effectively with each other. There is no cost. Please advise Ann at 669-6027 or trails@woolwich.ca if you would like to attend.
8- Woolwich Community Health Centre 20th Anniversary Celebration
Clint is working with a committee to plan a 20th anniversary celebration for the health centre. A (free) luncheon is planned on April 22nd at Calvary United Church. All are invited. Please contact Clintat 664-2661 or clintrohr@auracom.com for more details.
9- Optimist Club Updates
Optimist Tools stored at old Conestogo Post Office: Pete asked if the tools used by the Optimist club in the 1990s for trail work are still around. The remaining tools are currently still stored at the old Conestogo post office. They have been pooled with some new tools and are used by volunteer groups: Clean Waterways, TWEEC and WTG. Pete doesn’t think the club wants them back but just wondered if someone was using them.
Map for Kissing Bridge Trailway Kiosk at Middlebrook Rd: Pete would like to install the map and finish the kiosk. Ann will check the status and report to Pete.
Dates to Remember:
Next Meeting: Wednesday June 17, 7 pm at the fire station in St. Jacobs.
Healthy Communities Events: See list above or visit the website.
Questions?
Please contact Ann Roberts at 519 669-6027 or trails@woolwich.ca