Canoe for Change paddlers share their experiences at KFPL
Have you heard of Glenn Green and Carol Vandenegel? These experienced paddlers have braved bears and high waves to follow old voyageurs’ routes, experienced breathtaking scenery, back-breaking portages, and, perhaps, a little more togetherness than many couples would find comfortable. They have spent the last three summers canoeing 8,515 km across Canada, raising awareness of Kingston’s Loving Spoonful and its vision of a food-secure community.
Although they were alone in their canoe, Carol and Glenn benefited greatly along the way from the kindness of strangers who offered them showers, beds and home-cooked meals. Now, they are sharing their photos and experiences with two talks at the Kingston Frontenac Public Library. Both talks will be the same, and are open to adults and teens.
“Can you imagine what Canada looks like from a canoe, to live outdoors for months at a time, to embark on your destination knowing you have 8,515 kilometers ahead of you to paddle? We are looking forward to two fun-filled presentations full of photos and stories to share with you at the Kingston Frontenac Public Library,” shared Carol Vandenegel, one half of the paddling team.
“We will tell you that it is a gift and a privilege to see Canada from thousand-year-old water trails. Paddling through oceans, rivers, lakes and creeks, maneuvering tidal currents, high winds and waves, pulling our canoe 400 kilometers over the Rocky Mountains, and paddling through the prairie badlands only gave us more appreciation for this beautiful diverse country we call Canada,” she continued.
“From coast to coast, we raised awareness and funds for Kingston’s Loving Spoonful — An agency we passionately support, which envisions a healthy, sustainable, food-secure community that makes good food a priority for everyone. Loving Spoonful is a remarkable role model for all of Canada and an example of how an agency has made a difference in their community. ”
By the time Glen and Carole glided into the Cataraqui Canoe Club this September, they had raised $23,000 for Kingston’s Loving Spoonful. They’ve used their journey to raise awareness of this local charity, and it’s vision of a food secure community, across Canada.
“I found it so impressive just how many goals Carol and Glenn accomplished with this trip, when any single one would be quite an achievement: the bucket-list aspect of a cross-country canoe trip together, mostly alone in their canoe; their advocacy and fundraising for Loving Spoonful and local food security; and the project of dehydrating fresh food at home to ship ahead to provision their trip,” shared Anne Hall, a Librarian in Programming and Outreach with KFPL.
“To come hear them share those aspects of their three-summer journey would be exciting enough for any audience, but to also hear their stories of the hazards they faced, and the amazing scenery they paddled through, along with how much they were befriended and aided by the people they met along the way, will make it especially satisfying.”
Glenn and Carol will speak twice at local library branches: the Isabel Turner branch on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m., and the Calvin Park branch on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. Both presentations will be the same, and both are open to adults and teens.
There is no admission charge, but seating is limited. To avoid disappointment, please register in advance at calendar.kfpl.ca or by phone at (613) 549-8888, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019.
For more information on Canoe for Change, click here. For more information on Loving Spoonful, click here.
Jessica is a busy working mom who enjoys writing, editing, and blogging. She loves raising her family here in Kingston and tries hard to get out to all the amazing events around town. You can find more of her writing on her blog A Modern Mom’s Life, and see what she gets up to with her family on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!