This is the seventh “Land Lovers” profile, compiled by local Guelph artist, writer and Ignatius land lover, Dawn Matheson. Reach out to us If you are a lover of our fields and forests, flora and fauna and want to share in the wonder. We’d like to profile you.
Meet Kobe, the eldest in a family of five who find ways to love the land in all seasons: gardening in summer and cross-country skiing in winter. Kobe has been skiing the groomed trails at Ignatius since he was 8, and occasionally instructs now, too. If you are keen to ski (let it snow!) connect with the Guelph Nordic Ski Club on Facebook or by email at guelph-nordic@hotmail.com, or donate onsite at the trailhead (see map) via the QR code.
Who are you? What do you want us to know about you?
My parents are from Belgium, I was born in the USA, but I’ve lived most of my life in Guelph. I just turned 20 and am in my first year of college, so I spend most of my time buried in books – except when I’m climbing, running or cross-country skiing.
How do you spend your time out on the land?
For my whole life our family has come up to Ignatius – in the summer, too, to pick up our community vegetable share – that was before we started our own garden plot a few years ago. As soon as the snow falls, our family skies the trails and have been members of the Guelph Nordic for years.
Why do you come? What does this land offer you?
The land of Ignatius offers me a lot of open space to explore the outdoors while doing something I really like. I love looking over the white vastness of the fields while waiting for my brothers to catch up (ha!). Though there are a lot of trails, you can’t get lost. The land gives me a lot of freedom to roam on my own, even when I was younger.
How do you give back to the land?
By being part of community gardening we support the local species of animals and bugs as they keep stealing our vegetables that we don’t pick in time!
By skiing with the xc club, I hope I inspire more kids to go out and enjoy the beautiful lands that Ignatius has to offer.