Each year, the NCTA honors volunteers for their hard work on and for the North Country Trail.
The awards ceremony is held each year during the annual NCTA Celebration. Those who receive these awards have given exceptional service, often many years’ worth, to the North Country Trail and the North Country Trail Association. There are diverse award categories to represent the myriad of efforts put forth for the Trail.
Thomas L. Gilbert Lifetime Achievement
Tom Gilbert (1997), Derek Blount (1998), Emily Gregor (1999), Wes Boyd (2000), Howard Beye (2001), Rod MacRae (2002), Jim Sprague (2003), Gene Elzinga (2004), Gaylord Yost (2005), Dave Cornell (2006), John Leinen (2007), Bill Menke (2008), Al Larmann (2009), Ed Sidote (2010), Arlen Matson (2011), Irene Szabo (2012), Mary Coffin, Joan Young (2013), Harlan Liljequist (2014), Doug Welker (2015), Ray Vlasak (2016), Bobby Koepplin, Larry Hawkins, Jerry Trout (2017), Paul Haan, Tom Reimers, Marty Swank (2018), David Brewer, Peter Nordgren, Stan and Kay Kujawa (2019), Lorana Jinkerson, Tom Moberg, Ed Solstad (2020), Mike Stafford, Richard Naperala, Mick Hawkins (2021), John Elliott, Carter and Florence Hedeen, Herb and Susie Hulls (2022), Dennis Garrett, Linda and Bruce Johnson, John Derick (2023), Gary Carlson, Deb Koepplin, Tim Mowbray (2024)
Distinguished Service
Wallace Doan (1988), Barbara A. Smith, John G. Hipps (1989), Ken Gackler, Ginny Wunsch (1990), Derek Blount, Tom Reimers (1991) Art Holland, Vince Smith (1992), Linda Mieke (1993), Rod MacRae, Gene Elzinga (1994), Baird Stewart (1995), Merrill C. Gilfillan, Wes Boyd (1996), Arden Johnson, Jim Sprague, Gaylord Yost (1997), Howard Beye, Pat Allen (1998), Bob Tait, Dave Cornell (1999), Martha Jones, Doug Welker (2000), John Leinen, Joan Young (2001), Werner Veit (2002), Al Larmann, Mary Kunzler Larmann (2003), Irene Szabo, Bill Menke, Arlen Matson (2004), Bill Coffin, Jim Burow, Pat Leinen (2005), Garry Dill, Dick Lightcap, Ron Rice (2006), Alicia Hoffarth, Bob Norlin (2007), Bobby Koepplin, Rick Adamson, Herb and Suzie Hulls (2008), Tim Calloway, Tana Turonie, Mary Coffin (2009), Kathy Eisele, Stan Kujawa, Lynne Nason (2010), Pat and Mary Hayes, Ed Solstad, Marty Swank (2011), Mick Hawkins, Lorana Jinkerson, Ron Sootsman (2012), Mike Stafford, Joe Smith, Dick Naperala (2013), Joyce Appel, Peter Nordgren, Larry Hawkins (2014), Ed Chappel, Deb Koepplin, Lynda Rummel (2015), Jerry Allen, Tom Moberg, Chuck Zosel (2016), Becky Heise, Chuck Vannette, Dave Brewer (2017), Kay Kujawa, Tim Mobray, Larry Pio (2018), Eileen Fairbrother, Dennis Garrett, Ed Bowen (2019), Mark VanHornweder, Joe Hardisky, Phil Anderson (2020), Bruce Johnson, Richard Lutz, Connie Julien (2021), Terry Bernhardt, Betsy Duede, Jaron Nyhof, Mike Schaeffer, Stephen Walker (2022), Dave Adams, Bruce Dziadzio, Jane Norton, Richard Ostheimer, John Pearson (2023), Mel Baughman, Bill Dryborough, John Kohlstedt, Duane Lawton, Carol Wright (2024)
Blue Blazes Benefactor
Werner and Marianne Veit (2004), Byron and Margaret Hutchins (2005), Walter Srogi (2007), Harmon Strong (2008), Peggy McRae (2009), Jim Weiske (2010), Garry Dill (2011), Jack Cohen (2012), Dave and Jan Cornell (2013), William Lynch and Barbara Manger of Lynch & Lux Foundation (2014), Susan Yee (2015), Bethany Thomas (2016), Ron Horn, Lorana Jinkerson (2017), Tom and Mary Moberg, Helen Brooks (2018), Roger and Whitney Bagnall (2019), Cecil Dobbins, Cheryl and Mark Kreindler (2020), Jerry and Nancy Fennell, Larry Bell, Jan Ulferts Stewart and Jim Stewart (2021), Loren Bach and Dave Martus, Jim and Eleanor Mitton (2022), Larry Pio and Suzanne Darling (2023), Pat Allen, Drs. William and Susan Smith (2024)
Outstanding Private Landowner
Randy Lehman (2011), Dennis Garrett (2012), Scott Holman (2013), Tom Lakenen, Doug and Pam Boor (2014), Scott Bowen (2015), Stone Quarry Hill Art Park (2016), Joe Dabes (2017), Ron and Grace Hutchinson (2018), Tara East of Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center, and Mines & Meadows ATV/RV Resort (2019), Sasha Ospina, Circle Pines Center (2020), David and Geraldine Wregge, Marlys Groff (2021), Edwards Family, Heath-Kudelka Family (2022), Tony Keiser (2023), Paul and Shirley Berg, William Lynch and Barbara Manger, Russell and Elizabeth Porterfield (2024)
Vanguard
Sen. Herb Kohl, Rep. David Obey (2000), Sen. Carl Levin, Rep. Ralph Regula (2001), Rep. Vern Ehlers (2002), Steve Peterson (2003), Rep. Phil English (2004), Gaylord Nelson (2005), Robert Hoffman, Ray Vlasak (2006), MN DNR, Rep. Oberstar (2007), Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Hank Ludtke (2009), Steve Bade, Tom Schackman, Mitch Bouchonville (2010), Rep. Tom Petri, Gretchen Cicora (2012), Rep. Richard M. Nolan, Carolyn Upton, Ray Burpo (2014), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Dan Watson (2015), Matthew Gardner (2016), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (2017), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (2018), Dakota Hewlett, Will Mitchell (2019), Dan Vogler (2020), Wisconsin DNR Bureau of Parks and Recreation Management, M. Benois Walton (2021), Mary Mertz, Ohio DNR (2022), Andrea Gue, Scott Healy, Linda White (2023), Kathy Decoster, Sydney Scott (2024)
Friend of the Trail
Ramona Venegas, Scott Tichy (2004), Dorian Grilley, Mark Carlstrom (2005), Wally Chappel, Ron Kantola (2006), Kent Goeckermann, Harvey Tjader (2007), Peter Frank, Jim Sessions: U.S. Forest Service Allegheny National Forest (2008), Kevin Stankiewicz, John Kwapinski (2009), Barbara Boyle, Karen Larsen (2010), Bob Christensen, Scott Peterson (2011), Melanie Fullman, Andru Jevicks (2012), Butler County (PA) Tourism and Visitor’s Bureau, Dan Bickel (2013), Grand Marais, MI Chamber of Commerce, Cindy Schwehr (2014), Dave Jaunese, Neil Woodworth (2015), Matt Rowbotham, Gary Werner (2016), Craig Krepps, Mary Lee Nielson, Greg Owens (2017), Andy Zepp, Kris West and Zachary Odell of Finger Lakes Land Trust, Jamie Lowe of U.S. Forest Service, MN, Tyler Modin of Fort Ransom State Park, ND (2018), Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Colleen Lynema, Jane Anklam (2019), Denny Caneff, Jack Norland, Richard Lutz (2020), Eric Peterson, Greg Bernu, Audubon National Wildlife Refuge Staff (2021), Tammy Cefalu – USFS Minnesota, Aaron Gaither – USFS North Dakota, Jennifer Flynn – SEEDS EcoCorps (2022), Constance Cox, Josh Clague, Kenneth Kettler, Lenny Krueger, Renee Penny (2023), Jon Harris, Kathy Kline, Katie LeMoine, Mitch Lundeen, Peter Wilson (2024)
Trail Protector
Tom Podlesny (2022)
Trail Blazer
REI (2000), Haworth, Inc. (2001), Lowell Area Community Foundation (2005), Cemex, Inc. (2006), Superior Publishing Corporation (2007), Scheel Sports (2008), Chuck McCready (2009), Itasca County Trails Task Force, Blandin Foundation (2010), Midwest Mountaineering (2011), W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest (2012), Colcom Foundation (2013), Plum Creek Timber Co. (2014), Consumers Energy (2015), Doosan Bobcat (2016), John Woollam Foundation (2017), Butler County (PA) Tourism and Visitor’s Bureau (2018), Mandy Huskey, Gunflint Lodge; Joe DeMuzio; REI Foundation (2020), Andrew Schlegal (2021), Chad Petersen – KLJ Engineering (2022), Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority, SPAX Engineered Fasteners, Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. (2023)
Communicator
Werner Veit (2001), Angela Addington (2002), Aaron and Sharon Phipps (2004), Ginny Ruppe (2005), Joan Young (2006), Mick Hawkins (2007), Jo Taylor (2008), Lorana Jinkerson (2009), Irene Szabo (2010), Eileen Fairbrother (2011), Mary Rebert (2012), Becky Heise (2013), Susan C. Hauser, Linda Johnson (2014), Roger Hopkins (2015), Beth Keloneva (2016), Marty Swank, Kevin Smith, Marilyn Hoogstraten (2017), Charles Chandler, Bob Cooley (2018), Matthew Edmonds, Robert Haack, Tracy Hager (2019), Tina Harkins, Mary Brinks (2020), Janice Kessler (2021), Marty Anderson, James Falk (2022), Andrew Kovatch, Derek Lamparty (2023), Robyn Gallimore-Jones, Eric Longman (2024)
Outreach
Paula Wilbur (2001), Richard Lutz (2002), Dave Cornell (2003), Al Larmann (2004), Andrea Skurka (2005), Bob McCafferty (2006), Kay Kujawa (2007), Pat Monahan (2008), Tom Garnett (2009), Brian Pavek (2010), John Stehle (2011), Larry Pio (2012), Todd McMahon (2013), Phil Nimps (2014), Mary Rebert (2015), Bruce Johnson (2016), Jane Norton, Jerry Warner, John and Dove Day (2017), Mike Wilkey, Gail Rogne, Eileen Fairbrother (2018), Debra Nero, Tom Dahle, Sam Bonifas (2019), Marianne Duvendack, Carol Wright, Mark Heise (2020), Julie Fromm, Eric Longman, JoEllen Sokoloski (2021), Arlene Steimle, Sr. Lyn Szymkiewicz, Patty Warner (2022), Ruth Dorrough (2023), Lisa Bertolasio, Rennae Gruchalla, Felicia Hokenstad (2024)
Boots on the Trail
Jennifer Catney, Marge Forslin, Chuck Hayden (2017), Bobbi Jo Gamache, Rennae Gruchalla, John Rarick (2018), Donna Noteware, Jim Gilkey, Zach Johns (2019), Jeff Landon, Mark Roberts (2020), Sara Balbin and Jackie Kruse, Teresa Nelson, Robert Courtois (2021), Nikki Sobell, Yvette Jester, Jay Shutt (2022), Steve Coz, Matt Patterson (2023), Pat Wilson (2024)
Sweep
Brooks Kindel (2001), Len and JoAnne Baron (2002), Harlan Liljequist (2003), Atley Oswald (2004), Char Chandler (2005), Peter Edmunds (2006), Deb Kreiger (2007), Ed Ronkowski, Becky Heise, Peter Wybron (200*), Stacy Scheel, Harvey Johnson, Florence Hedeen (2009), Barb Pavek, Mike Trieschmann (2010), Marge Forslin, Karen Klos, Don Penly (2011), Laura DeGolier, Mahlon Hurst, Charles Krammin (2012), Larry Blumberg, Diane Winston, Paul Henry (2013), Ken Rugaber, Paul Johnson, Jarret Lobb (2014), Robert Leedle, John Pearson, Jacqui Wensich (2015), Steve Catherman, Mary Moberg, Gary Johnson (2016), JoAnn Pearson, Karen Stenberg, Steve Webster (2017), Rita Oswald, Michael Schlicht, David Wright (2018), JoEllen Sokoloski, Robert Stein, Vickie Swank (2019), Mary Berube and John Schrock, Rick and Sher Eiler (2020), Bob Cooley, Darlene Warren, John Fomusa (2021), Ed Gruchalla, Erik Morris, Mike Ward (2022), Nicole Halgrimson, Michael Loscheider, Ellie Williams (2023), Tim Bauer, Nancy Kreft, Will Nordmark (2024)
Trail Builder
Al Larmann, Mary Kunzler-Larmann (2001), Ron Rice (2002), Paul Haan (2003), RIchard Naperala (2004), Carter Hedeen (2005), Rick Adamson (2006), Lynda Rummel (2007), Scott Bowman (2008), Charlie Krammin (2009), Daryl Heise (2010), Chris Hoffarth, Bruce Johnson, Keith Klos (2011), Dave Brewer, Dick Kroener, Ed Morse (2012), Tom Moberg, Joe Hardisky (2013), Bobby Koepplin, Dennis Garrett, Ron Navik (2014), Marty Howden, Larry Meyer, Ron Sootsman (2015), Matt Branneman, Jeff Fleming, Gary Narum (2016), Tony Orsini, Bob McNamara, Jim Charvat (2017), Tom Hicks, Pat McNamara, Ed Scurry (2018), Matt Williams, Michael Schlicht, Jim Bradley (2019), Richard Ostheimer, Byron Guy (2020), Duane Lawton, Jamie Guy, Derrick Passe, Jack Miller, Bob and Jane Leedle (2021), James Howell (2022), Steve Kinne, Dave Miller, William Smith, Thursday Morning Cook Forest Crew (2023), Pete Bock, Steve Hatting, Eric Maturi, Brad Stewart, John Texter (2024)
Trail Maintainer
Rolf Swanson (2001), Al Mitton (2002), Tom Learmont (2003), Eric Doyle (2004), Richard Krieger (2005), Keith Klos (2006), Mikie Muhman (2007), Jerry Werner (2008), Ed Chappel (2009), Cliff Stammer (2010), Clyde Anderson, Steve Kinne, John Pearson (2011), Katie Jo Blau, Ed Bowen, Lynda Rummel (2012), Dave Galbreath, Tony Rodriguez, Ronald Lyndquist, Ed Scurry (2013), Rich and Judy Ferguson, Phil Anderson, Warren Irle (2014), Jim Belote, Connie Julien, Dave Potzler (2015), Dave Adams, Dick Kroener, Jerry McCarty (2016), Chris Hoffarth, Reginald and Lucia Krueger, Phil Nimps (2017), Mel Baughman, Daryl Heise, Barb Isom (2018), Jim and Norma Matteson, Scott Sellers, Steve Hicks (2019), Bill Courtois, Cal Kangas, Doug Lawrence and Kathy Rea, Frank Lynn (2020), Chuck Church, Brian and Deb Charleson, Jerry Marek, Lawrence Eisinger, Joe Kravetz (2021), Jim Antonson, Preston Bartlett, Chuck Hoard, Dave Jansen, Dan Proctor (2022), Dan Dueweke, Dan Geiger, John Pitale, Jim Shinners, Glen Waisanen (2023), Peter Bennett, Tammy and Tim Bohan, Jim Charvat, Jim Lindberg, Jim and Marcia Mellen (2024)
Leadership
Peter Nordgren (2001), Gail Blakeley (2003), Jerry Trout (2004), Peggy Jones (2005), Greg Wisniewski (2006), John Heiam (2007), Marty Swank (2008), Ray Vlasak (2009), Annette Brzezicki (2010), Lee Fairbanks (2011), Joyce Appel (2012), Tim Hass (2013), Charlene DeWitt (2014), Florence Hedeen (2015), Duane Lawton (2016), Dennis Garrett, Mike Stafford, Sara Cockrell (2017), Loren Bach, Eric Longman, Dave Newman (2018), Andy Mytys, Cal and Jean Lamoreaux, Mary Campbell (2019), Beth Keloneva, Shari Sanderson, Brian Hager (2020), Brad Slagle, Michael Sekely, Carol Wright (2021), Gerry Berg, Eric Campbell, Kevin Schram (2022), Lynn Meister Thomas, Deb Nero, Glee Mayer and Mark Zimmerman (2023), JoAnn Mort, Tom Walker, Becky Zrimsek (2024)
Rising Star
Lynnae Branham, Marisa Hoffarth, and Austin Horning (2020), Jake Deal, Chase Gregory, Connor and Trevan Pfennig (2021), BSA Troop 123, North Dakota (2023), Cheyenne Williams (2024)
2023 Honor Awards
Jon Torok, Randy Thomas, Jim Olmsted, Don Quick, Ronni Scrivens, Julie Smith, Brian Foltz, Rennae Gruchalla, Bob Courtois, Fred and Judi Mouser, Marjory Johnston, Emily Fenster, Monica Hatch, Tina Harkins, Larry Muller, Lori Chiarilli, Maria Cooper, Peter Dady, Harold Kyle, David Malinowski, William Meehan, David Priester, Peter Wybron, Dan Campbell, John Davidson, Russ Flesher, Nikki Gerber, Jamie Guy, Tim Murphy, David Thorndike, Joel Timmons, Diane Wright, Joshua Gary, Karisa Mueller, Bruce Ueland
National Park Service Awards
The following volunteers are recognized for cumulative hour milestones reached in 2024.
10,000 Hours
Connie Julien (MI)
4,000 Hours
Mike Toole and Dave Galbreath (both of PA)
2,500 Hours
Eric Campbell (MN), Joe Kravetz (WI), Jeff Fleming (MI), Derrick Passe (MN), and Karen Stenberg (MN)
1,000 Hours
Eric Maturi (MN), Mark Roberts (MI), Brad Stewart (MI), Denise DeKett (MI), Tina Harkins (PA), Deb Charleson (PA), and Jaron Nyhof (MI)
400 Hours
Michael Daly (NY), James DeKett (MI), Cindy Faust-Miller (MI), Deborah Fergus (MI), Alisha Glasgow (PA), Yvette Jester (PA), William Lallman (PA), Jerome Lemke (MN), Jeff Manelick (PA), Jon Maturi (MN), Deb Murphy (MI), Teresa Nelson (WI), Matthew Patterson (OH), Katie Prindle (NY), Shari Searles (MI), Jeanne Sekely (MI), Richard Vehe (MN), Margaret Whaley (NY), and Sam Zembardo (PA)
200 Hours
Steven Ashmead (MI), Joseph Baker (MN), Gerry Berg (ND), Denny Caneff (MN), Joe Carter (OH), Kelley Clark (MI), Katarzyna Dec (PA), Nancy DeJong (MI), Dan Dueweke (MI), Charles Gallet (MN), Ken Garness (MN), Jan Genaway (PA), Nathan Guntrum (PA), Bob Harris (MN), Dorien Howe (MI), Michelle Lazar (MI), Michael Mattson (MI), Brett Mort (MI), Linda Mraovic (PA), Todd Olson (MI), Joel Oravitz (PA), Jim Penley (PA), Amy Seymour (MI), Steve Sharkey (MN), Dominic Sosnowski (WI), Blair Sullivan (KS), Chuck Thomas (MI), Robert Traczyk (WI), Bruce Ueland (MN), Nancy VanWinkle (MI), Kevin Whitley (MI), and Nelson Whitling (PA)
100 Hours
Louis Allgeyer (MN), Donna Bailey (PA), Erik Baron (MI), Rick Barta (MN), Nannette Bell (MI), Jay Benda (MI), Dave Beyer (MI), Rashelle Brown (MN), Ian Campbell (NY), Cynthia Clemens (MI), Cliff Denay (MI), Jane Denay (MI), Dan Driesenga (MI), Tim Duffy (MI), Sally Dykhuis (MI), Mark Evans (MN), Russ Heathman (MI), Ron Hendrickson (MN), Linda Hobbs (WI), Lawrence Hogan (MI), Christopher Jester (OH), Nancy Manges (OH), Thomas Matthiae (WI), Beth McIntyre (MI), Holly McKnight (MN), Tom Piikkila (WI), Dale Prey (WI), Thomas Ruprecht (MI), Byron Sailor (MI), Barbara Scott (MI), William Scott (MI), Trudy Snodgrass (PA), Connie Soch (MN), Janice Springer (MN), Josh Stangle (MN), Jeffrey Steele (NY), Sarah Steele (NY), Helena Surprenant (MI), Mark Swiontek (WI), Jerry Tillman (MN), Jeff VanWinkle (MI), William Weber (MI), and Zack Wilk (MI)