The Newsletter of The Beaver Valley Club

FALL/WINTER 2012 www.brucetrail.org Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club, Box 3251, Meaford, N4L 1A5 / www.beavervalleybrucetrail.org

President’s ssage • the most recent report shows we have 508 active members. by Linda Murray During the year we attracted 84 new members and recorded a loss of 106. , • 190 members are now receiving our newsletter electronically

Greetings, everyone! • a healthy bank balance permitted us to make donations to the BTC totaling $11,334 in addition to the $3,546 raised by the I trust that you have been enjoying the Beaver Valley Silent Auction during the BTC's AGM superb summer we've been having. Perhaps even some of you are rejoicing As you no doubt already know, another AGM (that of the Bruce – the grass didn't need to be cut as often this year!!!!! Trail Conservancy) will be hosted this year by the Blue Mountains Bruce Trail Club Sept. 14-16. Check out the At our next Board meeting we will be welcoming Joan Nuffield interesting week-end they've planned. Details are in the latest as our new co-newsletter editor. Joan replaces Shirley Young edition of the Bruce Trail Magazine. Hope to see you there! who has held this position for several years. Make sure you Enjoy what's left of summer! read the tribute to both Shirley and her husband Fred ______(volunteers extraordinaire!) elsewhere in this newsletter. We are pleased to also be welcoming Jill Smith-Brodie as a Secrets of 35 Beaver Valley director-at-large. Missing from our Board table will be Ruth and Bruce Calvert who have retired from their position of many “Day Hike” trails unlocked: years as Publicity Directors. Mere words seem so inadequate to express our thanks to Ruth and Bruce for their almost 40 Hikers who have yet to visit this unique variety of Bruce Trail years of volunteerism at the Board level. Watch for a special pathways are in for a treat. The Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club tribute to them in our next issue. has just published the 3rd edition of its Day Hike Map brochure which will help lead you through waterfalls, valleys, cedar Our club's AGM in June was preceded by a walk on the Sligo forests, escarpment views, and peaceful meandering Side Trail, the brainchild of Jim and Ann Lis Couse and the countryside. It has 35 detailed day hike descriptions provided dedication of the boardwalk which was newly built last fall. This with 5 maps and a Hiker's Guide to help you fill each wonderful event marked the unveiling of the plaque and the re-naming of day on new and exciting trails. Both this marvelous feat “The Jim and Ann Lis Couse Boardwalk”. DAY HIKE Maps “loop” and “linear” hikes are revealed. 3rd Edition, 2012 A few interesting facts and figures presented at our Club's You are directed to parking and AGM: Waterfalls access points, with levels of difficulty Wildflowers & • the very generous donation of the Jim Horwood property on noted for each trail, and a beautiful the Fairmount Side Road has opened the way for over 10 km folder listing in colour the Wilderness of trail to be removed from municipal and roads. wildflowers you may see along the 3 5 S e l e c te d D a y H i k e s o n B e a u t if u l The planning of re-routes has already begun. way. Beaver Valley Club Trails

• our club needs 46 trail captains and we are presently at full It is packaged in a sturdy, clear vinyl strength wallet for protected map reading on the trail and convenient storage. • our club has a very active Land Stewardship program. Over 40 volunteers monitor some 40 properties, including 4 Buy your kit from one of 17 retail & easements. We are the first club to initiate an Invasive tourist outlets around the Beaver Species Monitoring Team consisting of 4 volunteers who have Valley from Tobermory and Owen already completed their training sessions. (Check out Joan Sound to Collingwood. If you visit Nuffield's article about Buckthorn, one such invasive species the Club's website it will give you a in our area) list of where to buy it.) The kit is sold . for $12 exclusively by these vendors

• our club brochure “Hike in the Beaver Valley Section of the and is part of a program for the Hike planning tips & descriptions; 5 Maps; Levels of difficulty; Bruce Trail” is distributed to over 30 locations from Owen Club's trail maintenance and Access points & Parking; Guide to Wildflowers of Beaver Valley www.beavervalleybrucetrail.org $12 Sound to Collingwood development. Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club A New Guide to 2012/2013 Officers & Directors Sydenham Trails In celebration of its 50th anniversary in President: Linda Murray 519-538-1445 [email protected] 2012, the Sydenham Bruce Trail Club Past President & BTC Board Director: Joëlle Martin 519-538-5766 [email protected] has just published its second edition of Vice President: Vacant L o o p i n g t h r o u g h S y d e n h a m . Treasurer: Ros Rossetti 519-538-1866 [email protected] Approximately 170 km of the Bruce Trail winds its way through the Sydenham Secretary & Membership/E-Mail Club's section from Blantyre through Director: Christine Blake 705-446-9592 [email protected] Owen Sound to Wiarton. Now updated Trail Development/Trail Maintenance and expanded to include 25 enjoyable Director: Will Overton 519-538-1301 [email protected] walks with maps, notes and narratives, Landowner Relations Director: David Port 519-538-0238 [email protected] the guide is a handy pocket-sized reference to this amazing part of the Land Stewardship: Stew Hilts 519-836-7657 [email protected] Trail. Activities Director: Judy Galloway 519-599-2288 [email protected] Publicity Directors: Vacant Each hike description includes key Newsletter Co-Editors & Directors: details such as the trail length, the Elaine McMurray 519-599-6123 [email protected] estimated time of completion, the Joan Nuffield 519-599-6470 [email protected] degree of difficulty, access routes, and parking. And beyond that, the guide Volunteer Coordinator: Donna Hemeon 519-538-3707 [email protected] explores the human and natural history Fund Raising Director: Steve Griffiths 519-538-2622 [email protected] of the area, such as nineteenth century Director-at-large: Jill Smith 519-270-0076 [email protected] mills, and the flora, fauna, ferns and Support Volunteers: fossils along the way. Day Hike Brochure: Ron Spotton 519-599-2496 [email protected] Assistant Land Steward: John Kearns 519-599-6283 [email protected] All proceeds from sales go to the BTC's Escarpment Preservation Fund in its Land Steward Information: Mike Osborn 519-538-1866 [email protected] mission to secure in perpetuity a Webmaster: Joel Kidd 519-900-1867 conservation corridor and public [email protected] footpath along the . Looping through Sydenham is available Board Volunteers : Like many volunteer organizations, the Beaver Valley at local bookstores in the area and from Bruce Trail Club is looking for interested people to serve on the Board. If you would Sydenham Board members. like to help out, call Donna Hemeon 519-538-3707. As well, copies can be ordered from Newsletter Submissions : Any articles or stories of interest? Next Bruce Price, preferably by email, at deadline for submission, November 28. Send to Editors of BV Beaver Tales [email protected] or via snail mail, from the Sydenham Bruce Trail Club, c/o E-Notes : Bruce Price, Treasurer, P.O. Box 841, Many of our members are not currently receiving Enotes. Owen Sound On N4K 5W9. You may This is our way of notifying you of changes to our scheduled activities or special use VISA, MSTDC, cheque or money upcoming events. If you would like to receive these notices please Email us at: order. The cost to order is $20 + [email protected] postage and handling (Canada $3; U.S. $5; international $8). Advertising in Beaver Tales THE BEAVER VALLEY Contact Steve Griffiths for advertising information. Email [email protected] BRUCE TRAIL CLUB Sign up for On-line Beaver Tales WANTS YOU! Anyone interested in receiving “Beaver Tales” by email should follow the 5 Easy Steps on page 2 of the Fall Issue of the Bruce Trail Magazine or visit We are seeking new directors-at- brucetrail.org and click on to ”subscribe to newsletter”. Those who have already large for our Board. Here's your notified us need not respond again. chance to have your skills and/or The Bruce Trail Conservancy expertise put to good use in helping your Club manage its affairs. MISSION STATEMENT: The Bruce Trail Conservancy is a charitable organization Having new input and new ideas is committed to establishing a conservation corridor containing a public footpath along what keeps an organization vibrant. the Niagara Escarpment, in order to protect its natural ecosystems and to promote We meet 6 times a year and are very environmentally responsible public access to this UNESCO World Biosphere good at keeping the meetings no Reserve. A Board of Directors governs the BTC and volunteers from 9 Bruce Trail longer than 2 hours. Come join us, Clubs are responsible for maintaining, stewarding and promoting the Trail. meet new people and have fun! If Bruce Trail Conservancy, P O Box 857, Hamilton, ON L8N 3N9 interested and for more info please Telephone 800-665-4453 Telephone 905-529-6821 Fax 905-529-6832 contact Joëlle Martin 519-538-5766 www.brucetrail.org [email protected] or [email protected]. - 2 - creating a wider awareness of its importance. They have always taken on more than their fair share of fundraising, event support and other activities. Since 2005 and up until the last issue of “Beaver Tales”, Shirley was Co-Editor of the newsletter. Fred is a past President of the Club and, until Stew Hilts took over recently, was Director of Land Stewardship.

Under Fred's Presidency, publicity for the Niagara Escarpment biosphere and for the Bruce Trail took on a new importance, in keeping with the couple's belief that the more people are aware of and appreciate nature, the better the chances become for preservation and respect for the land. Fred talked up the Trail at every opportunity, distributed newsletters to a wider audience, and made sure notices of events were broadly posted and the trail flagged more prominently. He and John McCullam also started the Keith Solomon “Bronze Boot” Award, to honour both this dedicated hiker and those who perform outstanding service for the Club.

Fred also recognized that the Director of Land Stewardship was a much bigger job than could be handled by one person. A proper inventory of properties was required, as was a way for Tribute to Fred and Shirley Young members to easily transmit information on work that needed to be done on the trails, and access information about who was responsible and available to get it done on the properties. It is Shirley and Fred Young may have fallen in love at first sight at a out of this five-year period that the additional Club positions dance one enchanted evening in 1955, but they quickly realized related to information and surveying arose. that their relationship was to be forever intertwined with their relationship with nature. In fact, soon after they began courting, Shirley and Fred are lifelong campers – one summer they Fred presented Shirley with a list of outdoor activities she would camped in New Brunswick with two kids in tow and Shirley have to “adjust to” – but fortunately, Shirley was already so rather uncomfortably pregnant with their third – and it was inclined. through another of their hiking trips that they discovered the connection between Grey County and John Muir, revered Shirley and Fred have brought to a close their longstanding American conservationist and founder of the Sierra Club. service to the Bruce Trail Conservancy in the Beaver Valley, and While hiking in Yosemite, they stumbled across a book about a grateful Club recognizes what a varied and dedicated history of Muir which revealed that he had lived and worked at the service it has been. Bighead River Mill in Meaford during the American Civil War. Fred hunted down some letters written by Muir at the Meaford Shirley and Fred are both from Essex County (Shirley from Library, and these served as his entree to a whole collection of Leamington and Fred from Kingsville), to which they return Muir memorabilia which the Sierra Club donated for an exhibit happily every year. Shirley's academic interests were mostly at the Meaford Museum during the early 1990s. literary, and Fred cannily read her poetry on their second date, sealing the deal with Alexander Pope. “Oh happy state! when The Youngs, along with Jack Morgan, Scott Cameron and Will souls each other draw,/When love is liberty, and nature, law.” Overton, also organized the annual John Muir Weekend during those years, attracting experts and interested others from all The couple first caught “Beaver fever” in the 1960s while over to explore and continue this connection. enjoying skiing at Talisman and the Beaver Valley Ski Club. Fred, a manager for Kodak, and Shirley, a teacher, quickly So strong is Fred's sense of this connection that Shirley winks, realized that it made much more sense for them to buy property “Fred thinks he's the John Muir of the North.” Indeed, Fred grew in the Valley rather than rent during ski trips. In typical fashion, his first tree from seed at age seven, and it was Fred's idea, they went for it in a big way, buying a 100-acre farm near Epping while the family lived in Maple (then a small town in Southern Lookout rather than fooling around with a little scrap of land. For Ontario), to plant 100 maple trees for the town's centenary. a time, they ran the farm as a bed and breakfast – without While a trustee, he made sure it happened. electricity or running water. They planted trees – now a “forest” – on the largely open property, and after resisting the beavers' Seven years ago, the couple sold the farm at Epping and moved efforts for a couple of years, finally gave in and “let them build a to Clarksburg; before that, in 2002, they had donated a pond”. The couple were rewarded with annual visits from beautiful 56-acre parcel with a beaver pond to the Bruce Trail. herons, white egrets, geese and a host of other birds. Their three children are scattered all over, but, like their parents, they all have a strong sense of the importance of being In the 1990s, they finally capitulated to the lure of the country and grounded in the natural environment. And as John Muir might moved to the farm full-time, joining the Beaver Valley Bruce Trail put it, the entire family still likes nothing better than to “go Club in the process. botanizing”.

Since then, Fred and Shirley have worked tirelessly for the Club Many thanks for all your hard work over the years, Shirley and and for their vision of preserving the natural environment and Fred.

- 3 - Battling Buckthorn in the Comfortable Hiking Holidays Beaver Valley Toll free (866) 449-1908 by Joan Nuffield

[email protected] www.letshike.com As the newly-minted Land Stewards for the Beaver Valley Club's recent and wonderful acquisition, Webwood Falls, we were eager to learn as much as we could about our responsibilities and how to THE REAL CUBA discharge them. Noting that our shiny, new Land Stewardship Binder November 18 to 30, 2012 said we should be “willing to initiate restoration projects if needed (such Forget the resorts and come see the real Cuba! as ... invasive species removal)”, we cleverly deduced that it would be Hike through jungle-like forests, picturesque colonial helpful to be able to actually identify an invasive species! towns & sugar cane fields. Explore the Viñales Valley, swim in the San Juan River pools & have lunch on a So this spring and summer we eagerly trotted off to two BTC coffee plantation. Get a true feel for what Cuba is really workshops (the second in conjunction with Credit Valley

all about – culturally, sce nically and historically, and Conservation), one of which had a heavy emphasis, and the other an have yourself an experience you will talk about forever. exclusive emphasis, on identifying invasive species.

When we got home, it was SWISS SKI HOLIDAY almost a case of “I wish I didn't January 26 to February 2, 2013 know now what I didn't know The Matterhorn awaits! then”! For when we looked Come on a Comfortable Skiing Holiday to one of the more closely at Webwood most famous resorts in the world – Zermatt, Falls, and most everywhere Switzerland. The region is home to four different else we walked, we found one interconnected ski areas with over 350km of ski runs, of the most difficult and including the longest at an astonishing 14km! We’ll also threatening of invasive ride the highest altitude mountain railcar in Europe species – BUCKTHORN. (which offers breathtaking views of the Italian, French & Even more surprising and Swiss Alps), and even ski right over the border to disturbing to us, many if not Cervinia, Italy. most of the “old BTC hands” we talked to admitted they could not You haven’t truly skied until you ski Zermatt! identify this species with any certainty. We figured we could kill two birds with one stone (and hopefully kill lots ISRAEL more than two Buckthorn) if we helped organize a hands-on training March 9 to 23, 2013 and eradication workshop and work party. Fortunately, BTC Staff were Fascinating and complex, Israel offers immense more than happy to pitch in, and on September 14, everyone is invited diversity. Hike the lush vineyards of the Golan Heights & to join Adam Brylowski, Brian Popelier and us at Webwood Falls to the deep canyons of the Judean Desert, plus the famed better learn how to spot and remove Buckthorn. Jesus Trail from Nazareth to the Sea of Galillee. We shall visit Jerusalem, the De ad Sea, Masada, Bethlehem and Tel Aviv, and although this holiday is not religious by Come to a Buckthorn Identification and Eradication design, we cannot help but be immersed in the dominant Workshop/Work Party! role it has played for centuries. CORFU, GREECE JUST FOR THE BEAVER VALLEY BTC! May 12 to 25, 2013 Raspberry House experts will train you in your own backyard This Greek island is the perfe ct combination of European (practically)! flare and tranquil sea-side living. Hike to the heavens to visit holy monasteries and trek in shade of ancient olive When: Friday, September 14, 2012, 11 am – 3 pm; groves. We promise - you will never tire of the deep, deep blue of the sea that surrounds you. Opa!. refreshments 3-5 pm Where: Webwood Falls, 806424 Sideroad 25 IRELAND (4 km. west of Heathcote), June 11 to 21, 2013 between Grey Road 13 and Grey Road 7 Bring: Workgloves, water, hiking gear – this workshop will With more shades of green than you can imagine, the

Emerald Isle lives up to it s deserving reputation. From be hands-on historical Dublin to picturesque Killarney & parts in RSVP: Joan ([email protected])

between, we will take yo u hiking through some of the Please also let us know if you will stay for most sought-after scenery the country has to offer - and we'll even make a few pub stops along the way! refreshments afterwards (3-5 pm) at Bob and ______Joan's place nearby (806492 Sideroad 25) Contact:Bob and Joan (705-888-4184) on the day of

- 4 - Why is Buckthorn such a menace? Bark is greyish-brown (orange Buckthorn is one of “the big four” – the most inside) and in young trees its striped unwanted of invasive species. Common pattern resembles apple or pin cherry Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) and bark, becoming coarser with age. In Glossy Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) are summer, green turning to black berries both highly destructive to native plants. appear in clusters near the end of the They will both spread very quickly, creating branch. a dense cover that will prevent the growth Report Buckthorn to the Invading or regeneration of native shrubs and Species Hotline (1-800-563-7711), or on plants. Their leaves increase the nitrogen a BTC trail to the BTC (in the Beaver content of the soil – a problem for many Valley, to Stew Hilts, Director of Land native plants – and their roots appear to Stewardship, [email protected]), produce chemicals that harm other plants. when you think you have spotted it. Buckthorn also harbour or help other Land stewards of course should include harmful species like oat crown rust, sightings in their informal reports and soybean aphids and garlic mustard. their formal autumn report. Buckthorn is as adaptable as an unwanted houseguest! It Controlling Buckthorn. Simple cutting of buckthorn will grows in varied habitats, including open woods, forest edges, not kill it, as seedlings will resprout vigourously after cutting. roadsides, rocky sites, and abandoned fields. It is drought Buckthorn is most easily controlled by identifying young plants tolerant but often found in wetlands. It is shade tolerant. early and pulling them up manually with the root crown before Buckthorn spreads like news of free beer on a hot day! Its they can produce seed. For larger saplings, the Beaver Valley leaves are among the first to emerge in the spring and the last to BTC has now obtained THE EXTRACTIGATOR, a device that drop in the fall. It produces seeds that come early, germinate helps with manual uprooting. If you get the root crown out of the quickly, remain viable for years, and are spread readily by birds ground, the plant will not and animals (the seeds have a laxative effect!). resprout from any root which What can be done about Buckthorn? It is part of the remains in the ground. Be BTC's Mission “to protect [the] natural ecosystems” of the sure to destroy any seeds as Niagara Escarpment. Any invasive species (which by definition well. Ultimately, calling in a is non-native, adaptable, fast-spreading and certified herbicide operator with few native predators) threatens the may well be unavoidable for original ecosystem. Not just land larger trees and infestations stewards and trail captains, but all (cutting or girdling will only BTC members and sharp-eyed work if immediately followed Canadians alike, are asked to do what by herbicide application). they can to combat invasive species. Follow Up Document Learn to Identify Buckthorn. your finds and extractions, Buckthorn is difficult to identify, and return to the scene of the often being confused with both crime often, to inspect for dogwood and wild apple. Please resprouting and other felonies. See you on September 14! consider coming to the Sept. 14 workshop at beautiful Webwood Falls for some hands-on experience in identifying and extracting this nasty critter. Your attendance will help us write another chapter in the saga of the Bruce Trail vs. Buckthorn. Buckthorn grows to about 22 feet (7 m.) tall and 10 inches (25 cm.) in diameter, and while often scraggly when young, later forms a dense canopy. Leaves are 1-2.5 inches (3-6 cm.) in length, egg-shaped, opposite or “nearly opposite” (unlike apple), either dark green and glossy or slightly lighter green and fuzzy, with finely toothed edges (unlike dogwood) and veins that start from a central line, curve around to the outside of the leaf and converge at the pointed tip of the leaf. A thorn is observed sticking straight out from the end of most young branches.

- 5 - Heritage Trees By Stew Hilts Teresa Matamoros, B. Sc. ODH HORTICULTURALIST • ARBOURIST The first time I saw them I just stood and gazed in awe for a few minutes. Sixty feet tall to the first branch, these sugar maple P.O. Box 244 trees are giants in the forest, just a few feet from the Bruce Trail. Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0 The leaves rustle in a gentle breeze, sunlight filters through the Tel: 519-599-1003 green canopy, and a billion tiny maple seedlings cover the Fax: 519-599-1053 forest floor.

[email protected] This is the Bruce Trail’s Harshman property, where I’m the www.gardenholistics.com volunteer land steward. It sits on the north side of Graham’s Educated Health Garden Choices Hill Sideroad, on the west side of the valley along the beautiful Falling Water trail section at approx km 72.6 BT ref. It’s one of the larger Bruce Trail properties in the valley at 61 acres, with one small corner that’s very mature, undisturbed deciduous forest. This is a classic example of the mature maple/beech forest of southern Ontario, but you rarely see a patch with trees this large and old. In an area of not much more than an acre, stand a dozen huge sugar maple and beech trees. The canopy is far above you, with just dappled sunlight reaching the forest floor.

There are many sugar maples along the trail that are much fatter at the base, but those are open-grown maples, with wide- reaching branches that feed the growth of the short fat trunk – perhaps only six feet tall, even if they are 4 feet thick, and not necessarily as old as you’d think. The tall maples in the north- east corner of the Harshman property are only a little over 2 feet in diameter, but the trunks are 60 feet tall to the first branches and probably 100 or 110 to the top of the canopy. I had never actually seen sugar maples this large and this old – in my opinion you can legitimately call these ‘old growth’. COSTA RICA VILLA RENTAL So when the Bruce Trail Conservancy developed a project to One bedroom, living room, kitchen and spacious nominate heritage trees for each club, it was natural to nominate these trees (along with several others) on behalf of terraces, backing on primary forest, overlooking the Beaver Valley Club. This group of trees was the approved rolling hills and Pacific Ocean. On tranquil 280 nomination from our club, so today there is a small interpretive acre eco resort property with trails, birding, nearby plaque near the trees. beaches and riding. Large swimming pool, maid service included. Bar and luxury dining available. For rent $800 per week Apr. 1 to Jan. 1. Suitable for two.

Call 519-599-5210 or email [email protected] PARADISE FOR NATURE LOVERS

Close to the Bruce Trail, - 6 - Golf & Ski Resorts Tel: 519.538.5992 Toll Free: 866.538.5992

726004 Rocklyn, Meaford www.rocklyninn.com Rocklyn Inn B & B A Sugar Maple Forest Giant - 6 - Most clubs nominated individual large trees, but in our case it is the maple beech community at the site that is highlighted. The sign reads:

“Bruce Trail Heritage Forest Site - Mature Forest. Mature forests like this are rare on the Niagara Escarpment. Having never been clear-cut or developed, this forest has reached the pinnacle of forest succession. Look for the tall, straight trunks of the dominant trees – Sugar Maple and American Beech. These trees create a closed canopy in the summer, so that only shade- tolerant saplings of maples and chokecherry persist below. Down on the ground, life is at its most productive in the early spring before the trees leaf out. This diverse ecosystem provides important habitat for the many bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species that depend on the interior forest for survival.”

You can see these trees easily along the trail; in fact you can’t miss them. They look just as majestic in the fall or winter as in the spring or summer. So next time you’re passing north of Graham’s Hill on the Harshman property, stop for a moment and admire these treasures of nature that the Bruce Trail Conservancy is stewarding. This one really looks like a giant!

Skyline Hikers Of The Canadian Rockies Picture yourself hiking deep into the mountains with a group of friends, carrying only a daypack. You don't have to cook or set up a tent. Skyline provides shared tent accommodation, all meals, hot water, camp staff, guided day hikes, return bus transport from Banff. Approx. $990 p/p, per camp. 5 weekly camps, mid-July to mid-August in Banff National Park. For info. & brochure contact: e-mail: [email protected] website: www.skylinehikers.ca Telephone: 1-866-445-3774 Ontario contact: Harry Moerschner: 705-445-0267

108 Sykes Street North Meaford, ON N4L 1W9 Paul & Karen Lavender 538-0202 Munshaw’s 519-924-2814 1 Toronto St., Box 164 Flesherton N0C 1E0 B I S T R O www.munshawsbistro.com THORNBURY

® Eva Duncan 25 Bruce St. S. Thornbury 45 Arthur Street, Hwy 26 519-599-2201 Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0 toll free 866-626-6656 Bus 519-599-2719 fax 519-599-2301

Fax 519-599-3901 George J. Matamoros Arctic Fox Diamonds 48 Sykes St. N., Meaford • [email protected] • 519-538-2670 • 1-800-367-3031 - 7 - Wildflower or Weed? more species were listed than were seen last year! Stew also shared his by Ros Rossetti, knowledge of sedges and ferns, photos by Mike Osborn identifying 2 of the former and 9 of the latter. The debate arose during a walk in the woods led by Stew Hilts this Spring and And now to settle the question of continued over a delicious lunch at wildflower or weed? According to my Munshaws Bistro, Flesherton. With a copy of the Oxford English Dictionary, breeze strong enough to keep the a wildflower is “a flower growing freely mosquitoes and black flies at bay, without human intervention” and a seventeen Beaver Valley Club members weed is “a wild plant growing where it set off on a beautiful sunny morning is not wanted”. In my opinion, these along the Mac Kirk Side Trail at Old definitions eliminate garlic mustard Baldy. Stew happened to mention that from the list since it is non-native and last Spring, 20-plus wildflowers were not wanted in our woods. According identified – the gauntlet was thrown to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, down! Violets (white, yellow, blue), wild Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) leek, wild strawberry, trout lily, blue garlic mustard is a herb that was cohosh, jack-in-the-pulpit, red trillium introduced to Ontario by pioneers and carpets of white trillium, the Queen who used it to clear infections and of Ontario woodlands, were identified encourage healing. OMAFRA very quickly. considers it to be an invasive, problem weed. To be classified as But…so, too, were dandelion and garlic invasive, a plant must spread fast and Jack-in-the-pulpit mustard! As we wended our way beat out the local competition by through the woods, the more hogging the light, water, nutrients, knowledgeable members of the group and space. Unfortunately, garlic pointed out the dainty mitrewort, mustard's chief competitors include Live Well. Enjoy Life. Two Locations To Serve You delicate foamflower, two-leaved spring beauty, wild ginger, bloodroot, Dutchman's breeches, hepatica, and Muxlow Pharmasave toothwort, true & false Solomon's seal 54 Sykes St. N., Meaford trillium. 519-538-1960 and white baneberry, known as Doll's Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9am to 8pm Eyes for its distinctive, very poisonous, Wed & Sat 9am to 6pm The case is not quite as clear for Thornbury Pharmasave berries. As our list of species grew… 45 Arthur St. W., Thornbury with spring beauty, hepatica, Virginia dandelions. OMAFRA describes 519-599-2719 dandelions as weeds but also Mon to Sat 9am to 6pm waterleaf, wild ginger…the number of Sun 12am to 3pm different wildflowers seen was describes violets as a problem weed www.pharmasave.com committed to paper and that is when the particularly for strawberry growers! eligibility of dandelion and garlic The Ontario Wildflowers website mustard was fiercely contested! By the includes the Common Dandelion as a time squirrel corn, Dutchman's wildflower and lists its numerous breeches, Herb-Robert, columbine, benefits for humans, animals and perfoliate bellwort, Northern bedstraw birds. I favour the latter classification and Canada mayflower were added to in part because I could find no the list the count was either 27 or 29, reference to dandelions crowding out depending on whether the now native wild flowers and in part infamous dandelion and garlic mustard because I love to see the fields were included. Either way, several covered in a carpet of gold against a blue Spring sky.

Baneberry

- 8 - Dedication of the Ann Lis and Jim Couse Boardwalk Photos by Doug Galloway.

Winery Hike photos by Doug Galloway Lois Charters led a Winery Hike ending up at Georgian Hills Vineyards for wine and cheese tasting with Robert Ketchin explaining vines and wines.

Workers on the Trail photo by Nelly Carnelos

Grey Bruce Realty Inc. Brokerage Locally Owned and Operated MICHAEL BIGGINS Broker MVA Cell: 519-378-6336 [email protected] & MIKE POETKER Sales Representative Cell: 519-373-2098 [email protected] Office: 519-538-1544 * Fax: 519-538-1450 Toll free 877-882-8804 • www.meafordrealtor.com 78 Sykes St. N. Meaford ON N4L 1R2

Eileen and Dave Robinson working on their section at Swiss Meadows receive a big thank you from frequent hikers of the trail. CARQUEST Thornbury serving a world in motion Bus 519-599-2010 / Fax 519-599-7354 R 6 Elgin Street South, Thornbury AUTO PARTS www.carquestthornbury.com BRIAN THORNTON - 9 - Upper Mill Creek Dedication photos by Marie and John Hollingsworth Members of the 32 Combat Enginneer Regiment (32 CER) and their families join with BV members to officially open the Upper Mill Creek Bridge on Sun. May 27th. The BVBTC decided to award this fine group of young men The Keith Solomon Award this year. Joelle Martin had a special plaque made up for them to take home and put on display at their headquarters.

206532 Highway 26 East of Meaford 519-538-2000 The Christine Kitchen Collins Catering n Vintners Platters Delicious Baked Treats and Prepared n Wine & Tea Bar Foods Made From Scratch Daily! n Custom Cheese Trays

86 Sykes St.N. OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Meaford www.thecheesegallery.com 518-538-1208

- 10 - loftgallery

C L A R K S B U R G Debra Lynn Carroll and Phil McCormack

183 Marsh Street Clarksburg, ON

tel 519-599-5912 cell 519-377-5910 www.loftgalleryart.com [email protected]

Hours: Fri to Sun 11-6 Daily July/August 11-6 MOVING ALONG THE TRAIL. DEBRA LYNN CARROLL, OIL ON CANVAS, 54” X 78” Always a great selection of Escarpment and Bruce Trail paintings in the gallery. Come and see some of your favourite spots.

- 11 - Beaver Valley Bruce Trail Club P O Box 3251

Meaford, Ontario N4L 1A5 Canada