The Story of the Club: 1972–2007

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Tay Valley Loppet — A Smashing Success

Murphys Point in Winter

Ontario Parks

Better known for its summer camping and canoeing, Murphys Point Provincial Park on Big Rideau Lake is a preferred winter destination for some.

Without the bustle of the summer crowd, the wildlife in the park can seem more noticeable. It is not unusual to see the groomed ski trails criss-crossed by the tracks of mink, fisher, coyote, deer, otter, porcupine and many other common critters. The rollercoaster terrain of the Canadian Shield is also much more noticeable without the dense summer curtain of green foliage.

Ski trails are groomed and trackset through the volunteer efforts of the Tay Valley Cross Country Ski Club. Most of the trails are groomed for classic skiing, with a 2-km loop groomed for skate skiing.

The Story of the Tay Valley Cross Country Ski Club

A 35 year history of dedicated community commitment

Passion for cross country skiing may have been inspired by Canada's 22 year old Chandra Crawford's thrilling gold medal performance in the 1.1 km sprint at the Torino Olympics in 2006, or it may have been stimulated by the legendary exploits of "Jackrabbit" Johannsen who was still skiing at the age of 100. Enjoyment of the sport may have developed from a youthful exuberance to achieve athletic excellence or from the serene experience of back country exploration in perfect harmony with nature. But whatever the motivation, all skiers will agree that this activity is a healthy, flexible and life long outdoor sport which can be practiced over a wide variety of interesting and challenging settings.

Tens of thousands of Canadians have recognized the benefits of cross country skiing. Many have contributed to the formation of local ski clubs which have now become integrated into a national network through membership in their provincial organizations affiliated with Cross Country Canada.

This is the story of the development of our own Perth & District Community XC ski club and the keen collaboration of the local citizens which made it happen.

The Early Years

The Club originated as an outgrowth of the downhill ski club associated with Norvic Lodge at Christie Lake where Victor Lemieux operated a small rope tow facility. Dr. Ross McLean and Dr. David Craig spearheaded the movement. The founding meeting was held on December 8^th 1972 at the Perth Town Hall. According to Ross McLean, 75 to 90 members were signed up. The Club was named The Tay Valley Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Club. The elected officers included Ross McLean as President and Mavis Marshall as Secretary, assisted by a committee consisting of John Winfield, Hans Van Pelt, Don McAlpine and Ron Trivers.

The first venue selected was at Bass Lake, but it was soon relocated to the Van Pelt Farm, on the ninth line, just outside the village of Balderson¹. There was lots of snow, but it was used for only one season.

In 1974 the activities were switched to Dr. Grover Lightford's property near Otty Lake, formerly the 500 acre McLaren estate, currently known as Burgess Wood. Grover allowed the use of the old McLaren farm house as a base for the activities². Trails were groomed by the McLean brothers, Ross and Scott. In this area skiers enjoyed skiing on many trails such as the popular Spring & Molar Runs. (See trails 2 & 3 on map)

During the years at the Lightford property, more than 100 skiers regularly practiced their outdoor pursuits, mainly on weekends. The location acted as a social magnet where a cohesive spirit prevailed. This was reflected by the numerous potluck events which were held there as well as at the Bass Lake Lodge. In that same year, a youth program was put in place, with David St Onge and Stan Earl giving instruction in fundamental techniques. This was initiated at the Perth Fair Grounds and later moved to the property at Burgess Wood. Later, organized sleepovers became popular and were also an inducement to participation³.

In 1987, the Club decided to recognize Grover Lightford's contribution to local skiing by making him "Honorary Life Member"⁴.

For six years, David St Onge was responsible for cross country ski instruction at the Perth and District Collegiate Institute. He was also instrumental in training ski instructors to the 4 and 5 level standards of the Canadian Association of Nordic Skiers (CANSI)⁵ and became Club president in 1978.

David St Onge and Ross Mclean, who had skied in nine different countries on the World Loppet Circuit by 1983, were recognized as Master World Loppet racers⁶. Later they both became charter members of that organization by achieving the full World Passport standard of 10 events.

Both Ross and David had become models for participation in our sport and, through their applied leadership, were to inspire many other club members to venture into the world of competitive and long distance skiing.

Some members became regulars at the Canadian Ski Marathon, which, at 160 K, remains the worlds longest ski marathon. Some experienced their first thrills and excitement of racing in the Gatineau 55, now renamed the Keskinada, which is still Canada's premier world racing event. These included Ross's brother, Scott McLean, Ken Barry, Bob Butterworth, Stan Earl, Bill Monaghan, Tom Bowes, and Gloria Opzoomer.

Gloria served as Club president, from 1985 to 1990. An avid runner and cyclist, she was later to complete the prestigious Boston Marathon. She credited the influence of David St Onge when she said that "David had an appreciation for the sport which was infectious."

The First Loppet

"Tay Valley Loppett a Smashing Success" was the headline in the Perth Courier on January 20^th 1977.

The life of the early Club took on an enhanced vitality when the Club inaugurated annual ski loppets in 1977. In that very first year, 350 participants were involved in either touring or racing categories over 10K or 30K trails stretching from Murphys Point Provincial Park (MPPP) to the Links of Tay Golf Course in Perth. Trail development was under the guidance of David St Onge, who was an Ontario Journeyman-Linesman, the Race Secretary was Ann Cheffins and the Chief Official was Dr. Bob Chaplin. This course required the cooperation of many landowners and traversed several bodies of frozen water.

The importance of good trail grooming was now becoming increasingly recognized. In 1978, a Bachelor tracksetter and a Raidtra tractor to pull it were purchased from Norway at a cost of $2500. This was the same brand and model as the equipment used to set tracks for the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics⁷. The course for the Second Annual Loppet was modified to avoid lake crossings. (See map) That year's registration was capped at 500 skiers in order to provide adequate shower and refreshment facilities at the Golf Course. But we are told that the actual participation was nearer to 550. Sixteen categories, including team divisions, were created for this loppet⁸.

This 30 K route was used for six loppets between 1977 and 1983. During these years, skiers from all over Eastern Ontario and even as far as from were registering for this popular community event. Victor Lemieux described it as the premier Loppet for Eastern Ontario.

In those days, the Loppet spirit reflected the contributions of many community organizations including the Citizen's Recreation Committee, the Tay Valley Snowmobile Club, and others. A Perth Chamber of Commerce Trophy was awarded to the fastest male to cover the 30 K distance, and a Lanark County Sports Trophy was awarded to the fastest female.

But the 1980 scheduled event was cancelled due to lack of snow. This was not a good omen for the years ahead. A full page appeal⁹ was published in the Courier for volunteers to come to a meeting on Nov 4^th, 1982, at the Great War Memorial Medical Centre in order to ensure the continuation of the Club. Sufficient energy was enlisted, and the movement continued.

The Move to Murphys Point Park

Increased snowmobiling forced an end to the activities at Burgess Wood and drove the Club to its current venue at MPPP in 1982.

That year, a heritage log cabin was donated to the Club by Dr. Drew Armour. It was dismantled, the logs numbered, and reassembled and located at the inside corner of the winter parking lot in 1983, a site previously occupied by a trailer. The reassembly and expansion involved both skiers and non skiers. Again, a social atmosphere prevailed at this new site. Max Mcllquham, a local dairy farmer, made a contribution to its reconstruction. The final touches were completed by Earl Kirkham, a contractor from the community.

This cabin became the new quarters for the relocated ski club. Unfortunately it suffered the theft of its wood stove on two occasions and eventually Rob Ferrier was given the task of installing a concrete anchor to prevent the new air tight stove from being stolen again¹⁰.

The Club cabin was even staffed on weekends with two shifts per day from 8 in the morning till 4 in the afternoon and regular Ski Patrols were maintained¹¹. Moonlight skis in early March became annual events at the cabin. Of course there were always plenty of refreshments.

During this period Annual General Meetings (AGM's) were regularly held sometime between November and February at a variety of locations which included Algonquin College and The Great War Memorial Medical Centre. These were not only business meetings but were opportunities for members to exchange equipment and learn waxing and other techniques related to the sport. For example, in Dec 1981, the Ontario Ski Council came to provide a full 2.5 hours clinic and in Nov 1983, Lana March animated a session on preconditioning training.

During these years John Winfield, who was then the owner of the Tay Valley Sports Store in Perth, produced a regular Ski Report in the Courier which provided a strong stimulus for local skiing. The reliable work of Dave Wigand ensured the continuation of the youth instruction program¹².

In 1984 the route for the annual Loppet was converted from a linear course to a loop with both start and finish taking place at MPPP.

Legal Structure

On March 8, 1984 the Club entered a formal contractual relationship with the Minister of Natural Resources (MNR) to operate the ski trails at MPPP¹³. The Club now felt the need to formalize its legal status and on May 22, 1986, it was incorporated as "The Tay Valley Ski and Fitness Club" The Directors listed on the Letters patent application included David Stevens and Peter Woodwark, both local lawyers, Rick Forsythe, Robert Ferrier and Brad Mills. The first Directors of the incorporated Club were David Stevens, Peter Woodwark and David Flanagan¹⁴. The MNR contract was renewed with some minor modifications on Sept 23, 1993¹⁵. It was not until the AGM of December 5, 2001 that the membership ratified its first comprehensive set of by-laws governing the administration of the Club.¹⁶

New Leadership

Uncertain snow conditions continued. In 1986, two separate attempts to hold the Loppet were aborted. By 1991, the viability of the Club was again threatened. At that year's AGM another urgent request was made for new volunteers to come to the aid of those few who were struggling to keep

the Club functioning¹⁷. Tom Bowes was one such devoted person who, for more than 30 years now, continues to contribute freely of his professional forestry skills and strong track grooming abilities. He has also provided waxing clinics and frequently filled in as a Jackrabbit leader. Throughout the 90's, Tom served as Loppet Coordinator. He has always been available when called upon, and frequently when not. Karen McLean a perennial loppet organizer continued to handle the precisions of timing and checking. Valerie Bowes and her sister Elaine Paterson were always ready to provide a variety of support at various Club functions. Ken Willis, Greg Bullock, Frank Roy and Rob Ferrier were among those who stepped forward to keep the spirit alive. Ken Willis was elected Club President and Frank Roy was elected Secretary-Treasurer. Ken guided the Club for ten seasons and has been its longest serving First Officer. After a brief sojourn, Frank Roy was again the growing team spirit now animating the Club. They were soon

joined by Marg Graham, Don MacKay, Bob Birse and Bob Taylor. Phil Thompson soon became an active "Trail Boss" designing, cutting, and signing new trails at the Park. This included an interesting 2.5K scenic loop which crosses a small foot bridge over Black Creek and opens onto the old McParlan property, which the Crown had acquired in 1967¹⁸. (See photo of lone skier approaching the restored heritage McParlan House, circa 1850). Phil devoted a multitude of hours to grooming these trails. He became Club President in 2001 and served until 2003. Lily Roy was also a new asset to the Club at this time. Besides helping out in whatever way she could, she prompted the Club to enter a team in the local Trivia Challenge contest in 1998¹⁹. Every year since then, the Club has put together a very credible team for this non physical and fun, but nevertheless competitive, event. During these years the Team took home the coveted championship trophy on three occasions and was runner-up on several others; always finishing well.

The authors of this article joined the Club executive in the mid 90's and we made our own efforts to contribute to its vision and enthusiasm. The Club took the decision to affiliate with Cross Country (XC) Ontario on Nov 9^th 1995 and through it to XC Canada. One of the several benefits of affiliation was the entitlement to third party liability insurance which provided coverage to Club members and to the owners of lands accessed by Club trails. The first edition of The Club's regular newsletter first appeared on Nov 2 1995. It was named The Tay Valley Langlaufer in Feb, 1997²⁰ and is poised to publish its 11^th volume in preparation for the coming season.

The Jack Rabbit Program

This new relationship led to the founding of a formal Jack Rabbit (JR) Program under the standards set by the national organization. This came about after Frank Roscoe; the Director of Youth Programs for the National Capital Division (NCD) of XC Ontario accepted the invitation to speak at the Club's AGM in November 1996 on the merits of the JR Program. The first recruitment and instruction took place on the grounds of the Glen Tay School with the collaboration of its Administration and Staff in January, 1997. Approximately fifty-five children showed up for this inaugural session. The authors, who are both retired High School teachers, conducted this first session and recall that it was opened with a practical demonstration of trail breaking in deep snow around the school's playground. These first instructional sessions were soon switched to the Links of Tay where the Club set tracks. During the remainder of that year a successful program was carried out there²¹. Pat Bowles and Geoff Hodgins, both possessing CANSI qualifications, assisted in providing instruction, organization and leadership. The program resumed on this site the following season in the weeks leading up to the great ice storm. An on-site session for the training of future JR leaders was provided by Jim Hanrahan, from the NCD of XC Ontario, in the principles and pedagogy of JR instruction.

At the Tay Valley Loppet held in February, 1998 on the Links of Tay site, 44 out of 60 participants were under the age of 19 yrs. But most came

from established JR Clubs outside the locality.

In November of the following season, a more formal JR registration and off snow instruction was held at McMartin House. The National Capital Division provided a JR leaders training session at Gatineau Park in December. This was the first of five one day training courses over the next few years destined to prepare a core of five competent leaders.

The local impetus continued to grow under the leadership of Orion Clark and Geoff Hodgson, assisted by Rick Forsythe. Structured instruction for Bunny Rabbits and Jack Rabbits proceeded for seven years at MPPP, from 1998 to 2004. The annual participation was usually around 20 to 30 youngsters, ranging in age from five to thirteen. The Club provided financial, material and promotional support for this program. The charge for the annual individual JR membership was only $10²² and was capped at $15 per family. The regular family membership allowed youngsters JR access at no additional charge.

In 2001 each participant received the revised JR booklet where individual progress was recorded by the instructor. Ski equipment could always be obtained through ski swaps arranged by the Club, or from its donated inventory maintained by Frank Roy in his garage. A number of dedicated volunteers, including Dr. Siobhan Muldowney and Steve Mercer, came forward from the parent group to assist in a variety of ways. A social convener looked after "cold" Bunny Rabbits and coordinated the provision of refreshments for all participants. This more formal structure has now gradually evolved into regular Sunday family ski afternoons.

Technique

Courtesy of Cross Country Canada Jack Rabbit Program

The Great Ice Storm

The Club struggled after the scheduled Loppets in 1996 and 1997 were cancelled. But it rebounded, even after the Park had to be closed because of damage caused by the Great Ice Storm of 1998 which had been dubbed a "Magnificent Disaster" by a contemporary humorist. An alternative location was resourcefully established when volunteers constructed a connecting trail linking Conlon Farm to the Links of Tay.

A shortened version of the annual Loppet was held in the wake of the storm. Club volunteers managed to overcome most, but not all, of the challenging difficulties. With the approval of owner Jim Baxter, a short course was quickly designed at the Links of Tay. Both registration formalities and award Ceremony took place at Conlon Farm. A 12 K event was held by racing three times around an incredibly icy 4K loop which even made use of the new back nine, then under construction.²³

Unable to follow the roughly prepared tracks and due to the shortage of monitors available several of the younger skiers briefly lost their way and did not successfully complete the course. Some frustration was expressed, but in the end no harm was done.

We leave it to the imagination or the personal recall of the reader to contemplate the enormity of the work required and carried out by Club members and Park Staff in the "Great Cleanup" which followed, and which was required to ready the trails at MPPP for the following ski season. Only one short loop, the Sylvain, remains closed to this day.

A New Partnership

The Park administration relocated the Ski cabin in the fall of 1997 and placed it on the shore of Loon Lake close to the administration building and accessible through its parking lot. It was to become the Park Store during the camping season as a fund raising asset for the Park to be included in its newly required business plan. The Park equipped the cabin with gas heaters and lighting²⁴ and it served as the winter meeting place for Jack Rabbit and other Club members or non members wishing a break from their activities. This led to a new working partnership with the Park. The formal contract which had been in place since 1984 was terminated in 1998 and replaced by a more informal arrangement whereby the Park would recognize all Club members as Park volunteers and grant them free access to its winter facilities.²⁵

The club has made every effort over the years to keep its own fees to a minimum. So while these were $5 in 1974 and $35 in 1985, family memberships are now, at only $40 in 2007, the best value in town for any sporting activity. Under this new arrangement the Park also took over full responsibility for the cabin's maintenance and significant insurance costs which had become a considerable financial burden to the Club. The Park also later provided improved quality machines to pull the tracksetting equipment, still Club-owned. The Club then sold its own Alpine machine putting an end to ongoing insurance and maintenance costs. For several years, as Club Treasurers, Don Earl, a local financial advisor and Richard Brownrigg, a local chartered accountant volunteered their competent money management skills. All this had the effect of setting the basis for the improved financial health of the Club. In the 70's and 80's paid membership was usually maintained between 175 and 200²⁶. But since then, with the increasing unreliability of snow conditions it has fallen off somewhat. It has, however, remained generally stable, usually varying only between 75 and 100²⁷.

Over a period of more than 20 years the Club has received strong cooperation from the Park staff. They have regularly assisted in the timely production of improved signage and updated maps. They have always effectively overseen the prompt snow removal from the winter parking lot. Currently, they offer regular safety clinics for groomers and maintain updated ski condition information on the Ministry's website and phone messaging service.

Round Lake

In the fall of 1996 the then existing 14 K trail network was expanded by reopening the 10K "Round Lake Loop" Part of this had served in previous Loppets in the late 70's and through the 80's. It had long since been allowed to grow over and fall into disuse because of the lack of snow.

This additional trail extends from Black Ance Pt. Rd., familiarly known as "The Cottage Road", and continues through the old Lally Homestead where the Park has equipped a small surviving heritage outbuilding with a wood stove to serve as a warm-up hut. It then skirts the old abandoned Silver Queen Mica Mine. By a connecting trail it joins the Park's road which leads to the Group Campground. From there, it moves onto private backcountry wilderness land where the skiing can be rough at times.

This section of trail offers the greatest challenge to machine tracksetting which cannot be done in limited snow conditions. It returns via a usually unploughed private road to the winter parking lot which serves as the trailhead for the ski network. The Club appreciates the collaboration of Peter Jones, Clifford Lally, and Sabah Towaij, all of whom are private landowners whose properties adjoin the Park.

Climate Change

There was a regular abundance of snow in the 70's. Old timers say that the snow was so high that some fences did not have to be taken down. This had so changed by the mid 80's that it was hard to run the Loppet in early January. Snow conditions were so poor in 1988 that participants raced three times over a 10K course to make up the 30K distance. The start location and distances became a function of the weather. The 1992 event was held, as scheduled, in January, but in the 23 years from 1980 to 2002 forced adjustments or cancellations had to be made on eight occasions due to poor snow conditions. The President's report given at the AGM on Dec 4, 2000 records that snow conditions for the previous season were "the worst in living memory",²⁸ The most recent Loppet held at the Park was in 2003. Fortunately a large dump of snow arrived just in time to make it an enjoyable success.

Thanks to the volunteer efforts of Doug Hollingsworth and a small group of local citizens, including Tom Shoebridge and Phil Laflamme, from the Lanark Highlands region, a second venue was prepared at the Timber Run Golf Course just outside of Lanark Village. During the past six years, Bill Neilson, the owner, has given his full support. In addition to allowing trails on his land, he opened his magnificent log Club House for skiing events. For a golf course, this area has the surprising advantages of being unusually hilly in the open areas and offers a wooded protection from the wind on the varied and picturesque terrain which completes the undeveloped portion of the property.

Even more importantly this region forms part of a of a minor snow belt. When there was insufficient snow for the opening of the JR season in early January the initial lessons were conducted there from 2003 through 2006. Successful 10K "Lanark Loppets" have been held there, in conjunction with The Lanark Winter Carnival, in each of the last four years and, in that period, have effectively substituted for the "Tay Valley Loppet". For the 2007-8 season, the Club will not offer skiing at Timber Run as all efforts are directed at Murphys Point.

Doug Hollingsworth is himself a strong lifelong skier and paddler who can always be counted on to medal in his category, in either event. He is a former President of the National Capital Division of XC Ontario. He is the serving President of the Club and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this position. Together with his support team on the executive, he is on a mission to revitalize and promote local Cross Country Skiing.

In spite of the prevailing spring-like mid January conditions which forced a late start to the 2007 season, Phill Brackenbury, a teacher at St. John Elementary, spearheaded several well attended clinics/races at Timber Run and at MPPP, some in conjunction with the Ski Fast program of the NCD. After a hiatus of more than a decade, a ski party was held under the full moon of March 2007 at the Ski Club cabin at MPPP. Will the tradition continue? Only the Goblins know.

As climate change does indeed appear to be having an effect on our local snow conditions, trail grooming takes on an ever increasing importance. Consideration had been given as early as the spring of 1994 to obtain a light weight grooming machine called a Tidd Tech Trail Tenderizer and Tracksetter, but it was not until the spring of 2003 that the decision was made to purchase this machine, at a cost of $5000²⁹ to add to the available grooming equipment. The current executive hopes to meet this challenge with the increased use of this state of the art equipment so that skiers may derive the maximum benefit and enjoyment from minimum snow.

"So whether you see yourself as a team player or a solitary skier, or whether you are five or ninety-five, we echo the exhortation of Jackrabbit Johannsen:

Just get out there and ski!

The weather soothsayers predict we will get snow this winter."

Notes

1. Perth Courier, Nov 18, 1987, Article by Bob Rupert
2. Idem
3. Club Executive Minutes, Feb 2, 1987
4. Club Executive Minutes, Feb 25, 1987
5. Perth Courier, Dec 11, 1985, David St Onge teaching XCountry Skiing
6. Perth Courier, Nov 9, 1983, Story of David St Onge
7. Perth Courier, Jan 20, 1977, First Loppet
8. Perth Courier, Dec 8, 1977, Expectations for Second Loppet
9. Perth Courier, Oct 27, 1982, Urgent request for volunteers
10. Club Executive Minutes, Jan 9, 1992
11. Perth Courier, Nov 19, 1987, Article by Bob Rupert
12. Club Executive Minutes, Oct 9, 1988
13. Club Archives, Copy of first Contract with MNR
14. Club Archives, Copy of Act of Incorporation
15. Club Archives, Copy of Contract renewal with MNR
16. Club AGM Minutes, Dec 5, 2001
17. Club Executive Minutes, Nov 27, 1991
18. Archeological Report to MPPP, summer, 2007
19. Club Executive Minutes, Oct 27, 1997
20. Club Archives, Newsletter Collection
21. Club Executive Minutes, May 4, 1998
22. Club Executive Minutes, Oct 23, 1998
23. Club Executive Minutes, Dec 1, 1998
24. Idem
25. Club Executive Minutes, May 4, 1998
26. Club Archives, Membership Records
27. Idem
28. Club AGM Minutes, Dec 4, 2000
29. Club Executive Minutes, Feb 26, 2003

Club Presidents Since Inception

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the collaboration received from the following persons and organizations for their contribution of information and photos published herein:

Tom Bowes, Valerie Bowes, Cross Country Canada, Sheila Clark, Doug Hollingsworth, Dawn Kierans, Tobi Kiesewalter from the MNR, The EMC, The Perth Courier, The Record News, Dr. Grover Lightford, Simon Lunn, Karen McLean, Dr. Ross McLean, Frank Roy, Gloria Opzoomer, and Ken Willis. Special thanks to Dr Bob Chaplin for digitizing many of the photos.

This project has been researched, written and assembled by Don Boyle and Orion Clark, both long standing active members of the Tay Valley Cross Country Ski Club.

This first edition published by the TVCCSC in Nov. 2007 and printed by Clement Printing, Perth, ON