Fall 2018 | 15 So rather than sit back and moan about it, these folks looked to resolve this gap and began the process of creating a snowmobile club at the university. Larry Dwyer from the Lyndon Sno-Cruisers was instrumental in helping them accomplish this. Creating a new club at the university was not an easy task. As you can imagine, there were a lot of requirements and red tape to work through. There were approximately 15 students who were very good at stepping up and volunteering. They helped to maintain the trails, keep them clean, help with trail signage as well as keeping the university property where the trail ran through groomed and maintained too. In recent years, they have also helped the local VAST club, Lyndon Sno-Cruisers, with its poker run by staffing a location and recently arranged and ran a Ride It to Win It event. Special thanks go to the university’s club advisor Michael Dente and the university 2018 snowmobile club president Douglas Gifford. This year’s Outstanding Local Organization Award goes to the Northern Vermont University/Lyndon. PRESIDENT’S AWARD HIGHEST ESTEEM Tim was hard-pressed to find a fairer person who always comes to any table representing what is best for snowmobiling overall in Vermont. This man has spent many years as a leader for his club and the county as president. He also was a director on the VAST board from 2009 to 2012. From the Lamoille area, he has been a member of the snowmobile community since childhood. This person approaches life with a smile, a laugh, with humility and always with the best intentions. This year’s VAST President’s Award for Highest Esteem goes to Brian Currier. PRESIDENTS AWARD This President’s Award is given to a person that has unique qualities that makes him very good at what he does, whether at work or in other capacities such as for VAST. He has an admirable ability to maintain his control, even during stressful situations. He doesn’t just blurt out a response when asked or involved in a group setting. He takes the time to look at all of the facts and think everything through before forming an opinion. His commitment to VAST is undeniable along with his willingness to be a part of whatever activity is going on. Whether it is a day at the state house, serving on a committee or even working the cookshack at Coles Pond, if he is available, he will be there. This President’s Award goes to Washington County Director Mark Reeves. PRESIDENT’S AWARD This award winner has only been a part of the VAST family for a few years, but during that time has done a tremendous amount of volunteering. When she started to snowmobile she decided to get active in her local club and soon moved to other clubs to help out. She is her club’s Facebook administrator and is diligent in keeping it updated with club information. One of the best and biggest impact is the increase in volunteers for club projects and trail work dates. She and her husband can always be counted on to help with any task needed such as cooking at the club Poker Run to clearing brush on trail work days. She also actively markets snowmobiling in Vermont by attending VAST club events to cover for Snowmobile Vermont magazine and volunteers for VAST events in addition to her local clubs and county. She is also an officer with her county club. Recently, she has also become the chair of the Awards and Nominating Committee. Please help us with a warm welcome for Patty Companik to come up and receive a VAST President’s Award for 2018. Annual Meeting