Funding
A Record Dry Year
Trails Crests
New Committee Members
A Table at the Farmers Market
New Adopters in 1997
What you can do in 1998
Trails Committee

This annual newsletter goes to all members of the Grand Manan Tourism Association (66) as well as to the Friends of Grand Manan Trails (107). This year it also reaches the membership of the Grand Manan Chamber of Commerce (20). GMTA formed the Trails sub-committee in 1992. "Friends" were added in 1993. The Island Times for June, 1997 (Vol.II #2, p.11), published a short article on Grand Manan's Hiking Trails introducing the system and explaining how it is presently being financed and made to work with largely volunteer effort. It said that "The trails have always been a part of island like. They were there before anything else! We may safely assume that some in the existing network are still in their original locations."

The Trails Guidebook says in its introduction "At one time these trails functioned as lifesaving trails - the perilous maze of underwater shoals and currents surrounding Grand Manan resulted in scores of shipwrecks. This made it necessary to patrol the shorelines for survivors. (Could we also assume profitable for salvagers? DHB) today these trails reward hikers with spectacular views up and down the coast of Grand Manan." top

Funding - The help given us this year by the Fundy Community Foundation and the continuing support (as sponsors) of our Rotarians was also acknowledged. Readers were made aware that we had the trails ready to go by May long weekend.

Fundy Community Foundation Grant

Bill Daggett was on hand April 7th at the Village Council meeting in North Head to receive a cheque for $500.00 on behalf of G.M. Trails from Janice Harvey and Robbie Griffin, both Grand Mananers and director of the Fundy community Foundation. This body generously met our request for sufficient funds to allow us to meet our 1997 goals of maintaining and upgrading the trails. Maude & Gerald Hunter, Barbara & Sidney Guptill, Shirley & Sheldon Cook were amongst the trails 'boosters' also on hand. Bill spoke on the importance of our trails to islanders and tourists alike. Janice complimented us on the presentation of our request.

Funding this year was also achieved by profits from the sale of our distinctive crests ($5.00 each) and private donations from 'Friends' of G.M. Trails. We rely heavily on this source.

New Brunswick's first 'Hiking Day' was declared for June 7th. We hastened to put an ad. on our community T.V. Channel announcing that the trails were ready and waiting. It was a nice day and people did get out on the trails. There is a potential for a led bike (or hikes) if any 'Friend' would volunteer to organize, advertise and lead.

"Friends of Grand Manan Trails" now number 107 (up from 89 last year). It is always gratifying to add members to our list. All we ask is that they help us in some tangible way. In June we welcomed Bob and Sallie Patterson of Brasher Falls, N.Y. They earned their spurs by helping Gene Gillies and Cecilia Bowden brush out trails between Deep Cove and Bradford cove. He is a long-time volunteer from the Adirondack Mountain club who has led hiking groups all over the place. Sallie paints whilst she is here. They plan to be back - be to do more brushing, she to try to surpass her award winning canvas 'Lupines on Grand Manan'. top

A Record Dry Year

After a late, cold Spring when trees, shrubs and gardens waited for warmth, the weather finally improved in mid-June. what followed was the driest summer anyone here remembers!

For visitors, whale watchers, hikers and beachcombers it was ideal. Record few days were lost to fog or high winds and in the woods the bug season was soon over. On August 2nd the woods and trails were officially closed and stayed that way until light showers somewhat alleviated the fire hazard towards the months end. Shallow wells all over the island went dry and in some cases are only just now (early November) getting some water back. Hikers on the 'back of the island' between Dark Harbour and Southwest Head were unable to find water and had to rely on what they carried. The sweet spring on the beach at Dark Harbour was much appreciated. Many ponds dried right up. top

Trails Crests

After three years of sales the crests have proven to be a vital part of the funding on which we rely. Cecilia Bowden again organized their distribution and the collection of the proceeds. Members of G.M.T.A. are asked to offer them for sale without profit. Linda L'Aventure made up the eye-catching signs and also topped the list for numbers sold. The Baldwins, Cecilia and Laura Buckley made up the other front runners. Cecilia has agreed to carry on her role in 1998. top

New Committee Members

The Trails Committee welcomed John and Diane Cunningham to their number this Spring. Their knowledge of the woods (and John's ability to fix chainsaws) make them indispensable. They have been very active in Scouting for many years. top

A Table at the Farmers Market

On July 12th last Maureen Baldwin took a table at the Saturday morning 'Farmers Market' at north Head. She was one of seventeen vendors. Displayed, in addition to her sweaters and crafts, were our crests, trails guides and Grand Manan Bird List. in spite of a very low attendance that day, perhaps due to fewer-than-usual visitors on the island and the annual 'Home Hardware Yard Sale', she talked to a number of people and sold some crests, guide books and bird lists. It proved to be a worthwhile P.R. exercise. We feel that anything which raises the awareness of visitors or islanders to what we do and who we are, is a good thing.

There are perhaps eight weeks each summer when a small table manned by volunteer 'Friends' would be rewarding. A team of two attendants each Saturday would be ideal. If any of our readers would be prepared to represent us in this way next summer - please contact D.H.B. top

New Adopters in 1997 - Trail adopters do routine light maintenance on their adopted trails.

Mary Hawkins and son, Dan Van Nice, North Head, have taken over Net Point from the Normandeaus.

Frances Hodge and neighbour Lydia Parker, Castalia, the start of the trail from Whale Cove, west out across Seven Days Work.

Harry Stanley, Whale Cove, Ashburton Head east back towards Whale Cove.

Peter and Carmen Roberts, Seal Cove, with Bob and Judy Stone, Seal Cove, Ashburton Head trail out to the Lookout and west to the Whistle.

Signs and markers come out of D.H.B.'s shed sufficient to meet our needs. After ensuring enough directional signs are in place we give thought to explanatory signs naming scenic places, weirs, etc. We must plan on building or improving several foot-bridges over creeks next year. top

What you can do in 1998