Our Stories
2020 NCTA Award Winners
NCTA Honors Volunteers in Annual Awards Ceremony
The North Country Trail Association honored noteworthy volunteers for their dedication to the support and development of the North Country National Scenic Trail. The Annual Awards ceremony took place as part of the organization’s Virtual Celebration with volunteers in attendance from across the 8-state region.
Volunteers are the core of the NCTA and crucial to the success of the NCNST as they develop, maintain, protect, and promote the Trail. During 2019, volunteers constructed 71.4 miles of new trail; installed 18 new bridges; maintained 3,307 miles of off-road trail; installed and updated 291 kiosks; put in place 14 new easements and agreements with private landowners; led 155 hikes; and hosted 170 events to promote the Trail.
Congratulations to all volunteers for their tireless efforts across the NCNST’s 4,600 miles. Special recognition goes to this year’s Annual Award winners:
Boots on the Trail: A volunteer, who regularly leads hikes that are well advertised and promoted to the public (non-NCTA members) as a way of building NCTA membership and support for the Trail, over a three- or more year period.
- Jeff Landon (MI)
- Mark Roberts (MI)
Outreach Award: 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.
- Carol Wright (PA)
- Marianne Duvendack (OH)
- Mark Heise (OH)
Sweep Award: A volunteer, for tireless work and achievements behind the scenes of behalf of the Trail or the NCTA over a three- or more year period.
- Mary Berube and John Schrock (WI)
- Rick and Sher Eiler (PA)
Communicator of the Year: A volunteer, for exemplary work in promoting the Trail or the NCTA through a communications medium (newsletter, website, brochure, etc.) or personal contacts over a three- or more year period.
- Mary Brinks (MI)
- Tina Harkins (PA)
Rising Star Award: An NCTA member between the ages of eight and 25 who has made significant contributions to the Trail and seems likely to continue, and whose dedication to the Trail and the NCTA sets an example to other youths and shows exceptional promise.
- Austin Horning (ND)
- Lynnae Branham (MI)
- Marisa Hoffarth (ND)
Trail Builder of the Year: A volunteer, whose work in Trail planning, landowner negotiations, layout and design, and/or construction, have resulted in the development of outstanding new trail or facilities over a three- or more year period.
- Richard Ostheimer (OH-PA)
- Michael Schlicht (NY)
- Byron Guy, Buckeye Trail Association (OH)
Trail Maintainer of the Year: A volunteer, who has demonstrated exceptional dedication or achievements over a three- or more year period in maintaining or restoring pre-existing Trail segment(s).
- Bill Courtois (MI)
- Cal Kangas (MI)
- Doug Lawrence and Kathy Rea (PA)
- Frank Lynn (MI)
Friend of the Trail: An employee of a unit of government or an organization whose leadership, accommodation and active collaboration have substantially benefited the North Country Trail.
- Denny Caneff (MN)
- Jack Norland (ND)
- Richard Lutz, Buckeye Trail Association (OH)
Trail Protector: A volunteer working to protect the Trail by gaining permission to build Trail, and additionally, gaining easements to protect our Trail, over a three-year period or more.
- Dave Newman (NY)
- Jim Bronson (MI)
Vanguard Award: A legislator or other public official whose leadership, actions and advocacy have substantially benefitted the North Country Trail over a chapter/affiliate/partner’s area or larger, not just a short segment.
- Dan Vogler (PA)
Blue Blaze Benefactor: An individual or household demonstrating vision and generosity through significant monetary or in-kind contributions to the Trail or the NCTA.
- Cecil and JoAnn Dobbins (OH)
- Mark and Cheryl Kreindler (KY)
Trailblazer Award: A business or foundation for far-sighted vision and support, demonstrated by significant contribution(s) to the NCT or the NCTA.
- Gunflint Lodge, Mandy Huskey (MN)
- Joe Demuzio (PA)
- REI Foundation, Kristin Ragain, REI Foundation Vice President (WA)
Outstanding Private Landowner: A private landowner whose leadership, accommodation and active collaboration have substantially benefited the North Country Trail.
- Circle Pines Center, Sasha Ospina (MI)
Leadership Award: A volunteer, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership over a three- or more year period leading to significant local achievements or highly successful events.
- Shari Sanderson (MI)
- Beth Keloneva (MI)
- Brian Hager (PA)
Distinguished Service: 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 Trail. Individual should have made a significant commitment and accomplishments over eight or more years.
- Joe Hardisky (PA)
- Mark Vanhornweder (WI)
- Phil Anderson (WI)
Tom Gilbert Lifetime Achievement Award: An individual, in recognition of 15 years or more of true dedication, exceptional service, and outstanding contributions towards the dream of the North Country Trail or the success and growth of the NCTA, not just local service. Service may be performed in a voluntary or paid capacity.
- Lorana Jinkerson (MI)
- Tom Moberg (ND)
- Ed Solstad (MN)
Congratulations to all on a job well done, and thank you for your dedication to the NCTA and the NCT.
📸 BRTA, Mabel Casey, Mary Moberg