2002
Volunteer
Awards
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Sept 14, 2002
Many of these volunteers have been featured in "Heart and Sole." If their name appears as a clickable link, you can read more about the individual. Ed.

Volunteers make the North Country Trail. Congress authorized the Trail and appropriates funds, the National Park Service manages, the Association Staff plans and coordinates, and local management authorities oversee sections, but without volunteers very little of the NCT would be a hikable reality.

Each year deserving volunteers are honored with various awards. When a volunteer has turned in a total of 100 hours of service to the trail a certificate is presented. This year's 100-hour awards are presented to the following people:

  • Chequamegon Chapter- Tana Turonie
  • Chief Noonday Chapter- Dave Cornell, Sheryl Drenth, Tom Funke, Larry Hawkins, Larry Pio, Gail Speer
  • Central New York Chapter- Bill Kick
  • Great Trail Sandy Beaver Chapter- Brad Bosley, John Rethman, Lisa Zintek
  • Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter- John Elliott
  • Heritage Chapter- Gloria Burow, Sarah Gokey
  • Itasca Moraine Chapter- Al Mitton
  • North Country Trail Hikers Chapter- Bill Schwenke
  • Spirit of the Woods Chapter- Steve Webster
  • Star of the North Chapter- John Dreher, Pat Leinin, Harlan Liljequist, Pat Miller
  • Tittabawasee Chapter- Peggy Jones, Bob Schrems, Don White
  • Western Michigan Chapter- Eric Doyle, David McDonald, Aaron Phipps, Sharon Phipps
  • Others- Susan Whitted, Paul Daniel

But 100 hours is just the beginning! Some folks have accumulated over 400 hours of volunteer time, and another certificate is presented at that level. The 400-hour volunteers recognized are:

Other significant awards may be presented if a suitable candidate is nominated. In 2002 The following people were recognized:

  • Vanguard Award to legislator or other public official whose leadership, actions and advocacy have substantially benefited the North Country Trail- Vern Ehlers, Michigan.
  • Lifetime Achievement Award to an individual, in recognition of more than a decade of true dedication, exceptional service and outstanding contributions toward the dream of the North Country National Scenic Trail- Rod MacRae, Minnesota
  • Distinguised Service Award to an individual, in recognition of exceptional volunteer service in furthering the goals of the NCTA, and outstanding contributions toward the dream of the North Country National Scenic Trail- Werner Veit, Michigan
  • Trail Builder of the Year to a volunteer, whose work in NCT construction, planning, or negotiations have resulted in the development of outstanding new trail or facilities over the past year- Ron Rice, Pennsylvania
  • Trail Maintainer Of The Year to a volunteer, who has demonstrated exceptional dedication or achievements over the past year in maintaining or restoring pre-existing North Country Trail segment(s)- Al Mitton, Minnesota
  • Outreach Award to a volunteer, whose efforts to build coalitions, partnerships or other forms of local support have contributed significantly to the ongoing success of the North Country Trail- Richard Lutz, Pennsylvania
  • Communicator Of The Year Award to a volunteer, for exemplary work in promoting the North Country Trail or the NCTA through a communications medium (newsletter, website, brochure, etc.) or personal contacts- Angie Addington, Michigan
  • Sweep Award to volunteer, for tireless work and achievements behind the scenes on behalf of the North Country Trail or the NCTA- Len and Joanne Baron, Michigan

    Volunteer hours accomplish more than building pathway and making friends for the Trail. These hours, when reported to the NCTA, can be used as political leverage to gain support and funding from Congress. You are urged to report your volunteer hours. Many people feel shy or say they don't want to be rewarded for something they love doing. But the Trail will benefit if you would only turn in your time! It's easy to do on line. There are four categories of service- everyone thinks of trail building and maintenance. However time spent promoting the trail is another category of volunteer effort. Administration also counts! If you are a Chapter officer or spend time leading local events, add up those hours! A fourth category, Resource Protection, is used less often, but includes such things as ecosystem restoration, installing bird houses, planting trees, etc.

    If you cared enough about the trail to read this article, you've probably spent some time working for it yourself. Have you turned in your hours?

For more information:
go to the Report Your Hours On-line page
More on the Awards Ceremony in North Dakota
Contact Bob Papp, Executive Director, NCTA