Georgian Triangle

The Bruce Trail is 30 years old this month

THERE ARE SEVERAL VOLUNTEER CLUBS THAT WORK ALL YEAR TO MAINTAIN THE BRUCE TRAIL.

BEAVER VALLEY -- Celebrations have been held in different spots along the Bruce Trail to mark its 30th anniversary this month. The Bruce Trail, which stretches over 700 km from start to finish, was first opened June 10th, 1967.

The trail winds its way from the tip of Bruce County in Tobermory, all the way down to Queenston, near Niagara Fails. It goes through 37 different towns and cities. It has become one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Ontario. Thousands of people every year visit the trail to hike, walk or take pictures.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the trail a special baton was made. The baton has been passed along to different trail clubs on the way to Queenston. It will end up in Queenston this week, June 15, where a huge picnic and ceremony will be held.

On May 3 the baton went to the Beaver Valley Club, near Thornbury. That club celebrated with a reception that honored the 75 volunteers who help maintain its part of the trail all year. The Beaver Valley trail includes 86 km of main trail and 18 km of side trails and includes some of the most scenic parts of the whole trail. The Beaver Valley Club passed the baton to the Blue Mountain Club in Collingwood on May 10. Once all the celebrations are over, the baton will be displayed at the Bruce Trail Association's headquarters at the Royal Botanical Gardens, outside Hamilton.

The trail started out as the dream of a man named Ray Lowes. He, along with about 1,000 volunteers, worked for four years to get the trail ready for Canada's centennial celebrations in 1967. Volunteers are still the main reason the trail stays open and in good shape. The trail is marked by white blazes of paint found on trees, fence posts, and rocks. Double blazes mean a change in direction and blue blazes mark side trails that lead to drinking water, camp sites or lookout points.

There are several books and maps available for those interested in hiking the trail, including The Bruce Trail Guide Book. These resources are available at most tourist offices or by calling the Bruce Trail Association in Hamilton at 1-800-665-HIKE.

Emu story continued from page 1...

Jerry and Susan Wilder, from Zurich, Ontario, have been raising Emus since 1989. They have about 350 birds right now. They sell the birds as, well as the meat, oil and many other Emu products. Linda Kennedy, who lives near Paisley, was one of the first Emu farmers in Bruce County. She has been in business over five years.

"I wanted to do something that would let me stay home with my children," says Linda. "I saw a show on television about Emu farming and, I decided to try it."

She has 200 birds now, some of which are Rheas. Rheas are a bit smaller than Emus and lay their eggs over the spring and summer. Linda started out as a breeder, but now she getting more into the meat market. One thing she says people are also surprised to learn is that Ratite meat is red, like beef. Most people expect it to be white poultry meat, like chicken and turkey.

Ratite red meat is "much leaner than beef. Linda says people who normally don't like to eat red meat because it is high in cholesterol or gives them stomach problems, are trying Emu meat and having great results.

"Everyone who tastes it, loves it. It's a decent taste. We just have to get more people eating it and getting the word out," she says.

Almost everyone who is in the Emu farming business will tell you that if you want to start, the best thing you can do is talk to other farmers.

The Grey-Bruce Ostrich Emu Rhea Producers Association has a brochure with lots of information about Ratite farming. It includes several suggestions to people who are looking at buying birds:

• Ask the seller if the birds hatched at their farm, or somewhere else.
• Find out about any support they give after they have sold birds. Ask for written information about feeding, hatching and incubation period.
• Find out if the breeder is a member of any provincial or federal producers association. Straight legs, neck and back. Normal looking toes.
• Clear eyes.
• The bird is responsive and alert.