By Terry Aitken
It was my privilege to interview this fit, enthusiastic couple of retired educators at their home. They are long time members of the Avon Trail who reside in Kitchener. Jamie, often with the assistance of his charming wife Jan, has done the ‘GPSing’ of the trail for the past roughly 10 years. Jamie has also acted as webmaster for the Avon Trail during the same period of time, a role he has recently requested to be released from. We are greatly indebted to Jamie for his excellence in these roles. He will, however continue to be our GPS and trail guide resource person assisting with re-routes and new trail guide editions. In addition, both he and his wife are trail monitors of the section between Applegrove Road and the village of Conestogo.
The Hembers first heard about trails in the late 90s when they were attending Continuing Education on hiking and other fitness activities. They initially got involved in guide book preparation for the Grand Valley Trail. Our Pastpresident Karen Hill contacted them for help with creating a new trail guide for the Avon Trail around 2007. Their son, a PhD student, helped them with mapping the trail after ‘GPSing’ it.
Thanks to the Hembers, the Avon Trail has a high quality, user–friendly trail guide, with the latest edition, 7.5 just off the presses.