Bruce Trail Day
Sunday Sept 30th, 2007

The CHBTC celebrated Bruce Trail day this year by officially opening 2 new side trails in Mono: the 1.7 km Harmony Side Trail loop and a 1.4 km extension of the Hockleycrest Side Trail.

Many new hikers came out to join us for this event, which was great to see.  Several Caledon Club board members where on hand to share their knowledge of the area and enjoy the day.  Once again, the Tai Chi Centre allowed us to meet and park our cars in their back lane area. 

Our first stop on the Harmony ST was at the Volunteer Forest where Club President, Janice McClelland explained our club’s plan to recognize hard working volunteers by planting a tree in their honour.  The trees are small now but each year they will get bigger and more trees will be added as more volunteers are recognized.  One day we’ll have a glorious forest there and every tree will be very special.

As me moved along, the first of 2 ribbon cutting ceremonies was next on the agenda.  While the ribbon cutting team of Peter Moule, Jake Spallarossa and Dennis Gavriline were setting up, club volunteer, Dave Moule gave a short history of the BTA-owned Laing property on which the Harmony ST is located.

At the south end of the Harmony ST, one hiker commented on the nicely mowed trail through the high grass.  Club Publicity volunteer/grass mower, Gary Hall, explained how he organizes a team of mowers each summer to keep the grass under control.  It makes a big difference.

We then headed back around and made our way north to our next new side trail and lunch stop.  During lunch, the group met 3 other volunteers that make our club work well.  Trevor Stock, our Caledon Comment Editor, Irmgard Richter, our Treasurer, and Mike Leduc, Landowner Relations.   No special occasion is complete without a trail trivia quiz and the winner took home a set of 4 bear theme photo greeting cards created by Gary, who is not only a good grass mower but an excellent photographer as well.

Our new Hockleycrest Extension ST ribbon cutting involved the help of Liz Charters, Larry Petrykaryn and Lynn Marsden.  This marked the first official hike into the Mother of God Monastery property.  It is a nice mix of meadow and forest. This is the trail that was built with the help of the Tuesday Hikers led by Gerald Fox.

As we returned back to the Tai Chi Centre, Club Vice President, Jean Kerins, thanked everyone for coming and reminded them to pick up a free lunch bag supplied by Dominion Insurance to commemorate this year’s 40th anniversary of the Bruce Trail. 

For some of us, this was not the end of our Bruce Trail Day.  One of the hikers who joined us, Charlie Bonifacio, is a member of the Tai Chi Centre and invited those who wished, to a tour of the facilities.  8 of us took him up on his offer.  We had an interesting guided tour and explanation of Taoist philosophy ending with an invitation to afternoon tea. Many thanks to Charlie’s wife, Judy, for being the sweep on our informal tour of the Centre.  It was a beautiful day and this last unexpected treat was like the icing on the cake.