The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Mahaffy family of Edmonton just may be hooked on canoe tripping now. Experience mountain skiers and hikers, the family of five paddled into Denare Beach last Wednesday, June 30 finishing their first-ever canoe trip. They travelled the 50 kilometre stretch of the Sturgeon Weir River from Maligne Lake to Amisk Lake and then the 25 kilometres across Amisk to Denare Beach village. The trip was a prize that Peter Mahaffy, 50, and wife, Cheryl, 48, had won last summer competing in a fundraising event ? Paddling for Compassion. The event builds funds through pledges for the Cornerstone Counselling Centre in Edmonton, which provides counselling to anyone requiring the services regardless of ability to pay. Two canoes, lodging and transportation were donated by Angell's Hunting and Fishing Outfitters. "We know that the Cornerstone Counselling Centre does good work. We wanted to support it. Having the canoe trip makes perfect sense," Cheryl said. "It's exactly what the event itself involves." Completing the trip with their parents were Miriam, 12, Naomi, 16, and Reuben, 19, a science student at The King's University College, Edmonton. "Packing is a little different (from hiking)," Reuben said. "We could have packed lighter but it was nice to bring a cook stove and other things." Reuben thought the distance was a good length to start. He added that despite the hard work, it was enjoyable. His sisters may need a little more coaxing. "I didn't like camping. Too buggy," Miriam said. But Cheryl, a freelance writer and owner of Words that Sing, a home-based business, chose encouraging words to say that Miriam was delighted about paddling into the waves on the lake. Naomi agreed about the bugs but said she would go on a longer trip. "But on the lake, not on the river," she added. Peter, a chemistry professor at The King's University College, marvelled at the many sounds and sights of nature: beaver slapping all night, pelicans fishing near fishermen, loons nesting and, of course, the constant drone of mosquitoes. Hard work and fighting mosquitoes won't deter this family. Cheryl said, "I would highly recommend this trip." Reuben said that he would consider entering the annual Paddle for Compassion event on his own. His motivation, he said, "It's not so much to win but (the canoe trip) is definitely a nice perk." Information about Paddling for Compassion may be found at www.cornerstonecounselling.com
