Celebrating 50 Years of the Maitland Trail Association - A Heartfelt Thank You

Gena Lowe
Jul 28
4 min read

Updated: Sep 18

On June 14th, the Maitland Trail Association marked a milestone, our 50th Anniversary, with a very special Celebration Dinner and Auction Event. As the 50th Anniversary Committee, we were truly honoured to bring together so many members of our community, supporters, and friends to reflect on five decades of trail-building, stewardship, and connection to nature.

From the earliest planning stages, the generosity of local businesses and individuals began to shine. Silent auction items, thoughtful donations, and eco-friendly decorative pieces were offered without hesitation, and we are incredibly grateful for this outpouring of support.

A Warm Welcome and a Trail-Inspired Entrance

Guests were greeted at the door by the ever-gracious Doug and Lise Ellacott, then guided by custom “trail blaze” floor decals into the beautifully decorated banquet hall. There, they were welcomed with the sounds of live music from Capucine Onn and her guitarist, setting the perfect tone for an evening of celebration.

Trail Mix & Trail Tales

A popular item of the evening was the Maitland Trail Mix Bar, generously sponsored by the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association. Guests filled their snack bags with goodies before heading off to browse the incredible Silent Auction items and the interesting MTA History Table, lovingly curated by Marg Bushell, a dedicated past board member for over 20 years.

Gena Lowe - Maitland Trail Association — Gena Lowe at the Maitland Trail Mix Bar

Art, Craft & Community in the Silent Auction

The Silent Auction showcased the rich talent of our community, including original creations from:

Laurel Armstrong (painting)
Julie Beaver (infused glass)
Visnja Cuturic (pottery)
Cindy Fisher (painting)
Michele Melady Young (pollinator garden consultation)
Brad Smith (birdhouses)
Clair Soper (knitted scarves)

We also saw spirited bidding on two spectacular Live Auction experiences:

A private tour of the Goderich underground salt mine, generously donated by Compass Minerals (and landowner of the Sifto Loop Trail)
A breathtaking aerial tour of the Maitland River Valley, donated by Donna and Sam Appavoo and Papple Aviation

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our guests, both auctions exceeded expectations and helped raise approximately $8,000, ensuring a successful event both financially and emotionally.

A Toast to 50 Years

Guests were invited to toast the occasion with Maitland Trail’s 50 Ale, a special edition brew by Square Brew, complete with a custom label designed just for the evening. It was the perfect tribute in a glass (or can).

Voices That Carried the Night

We’re deeply grateful to our masterful emcee, Dr. Wayne J. Caldwell, who kept the evening moving with energy, warmth, and humour. Our guest speaker, renowned adventurer Adam Shoalts, captivated us all with stories of his incredible journeys. He graciously signed books for fans, both newly purchased and favourites brought from home.

Adam Shoaltz - Maitland Trail Association — Adam Shoalts sharing stories about his adventures

A Special Moment with MTA Founders

The evening was made even more meaningful by the presence of two founding members of the Maitland Trail Association, Heinz and Wendy Hoernig. Wendy remains an active hiker with the Tuesday Trompers and generously contributed to the historical summary featured in our commemorative programme, which was beautifully designed by Committee member Marian Doucette.

We were deeply touched to receive this heartfelt letter from one of Heinz and Wendy’s daughters, which perfectly captures the spirit of the evening:

“Thank you so much for all your amazing work to organize such a successful and meaningful evening to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the MTA. From the first moment at the registration desk, to the beautiful and thoughtful program, the creative welcome sign, the brilliantly innovative trail mix bar, the amazing door prizes and auction items, beautifully set tables, a thoughtful and well orchestrated agenda... the evening was fabulous! I’m so grateful for the way my parents were recognized. I know they were both very touched by the evening and enjoyed connecting with people they’ve known over the years. Congratulations on such a triumph!”

Our Gratitude

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to every guest who joined us and every business and individual who contributed to making this night so memorable. Special thanks to our venue and event partners:

Goderich Columbus Convention Centre and Banquet Hall
Artech Signs & Graphics, Seaforth
Donnybrook Flower Farm
NJS Design Event & Party Rentals, Clinton
Bon Vivant Catering
Goderich Print Shop Ltd.

And finally, to our incredible community: thank you for your continued support of the Maitland Trail Association. Your enthusiasm, generosity, and spirit made this 50th Anniversary Celebration a night to remember.

Here's to the next 50 years of trails, nature, and togetherness.