18 | Snowmobile VERMONT ENTHUSIASM This recipient is no stranger to the podium when it comes to awards. She is one of those volunteers who continues to raise the bar and gives everyone else something to strive for. We’re going to give it away with this story to those who know her, but here it goes anyway. This winter, Matt called down to her home after one of the heavy March storms. He left a message. She called back a few hours later and he foolishly asked, “Were you out riding?” The answer was “Yes.” She was breaking out the Darning Needle trail with a snowmobile and snow shoes. He again foolishly asked, “Were you by yourself?” Again, the answer was, “Yes.” If the name Darning Needle doesn’t explain it all, go and ride the trail sometime and determine if you want to break out a trail with that name, in the middle of the Green Mountain National Forest with three feet of snow on it during the middle of the week, alone, with no cell service. Earlier this summer, Matt was looking at some projects with her on an 80-degree day. Once they were done reviewing the projects, she was headed back out with the saw, alone on an 80-degree day to clear windblown trees. Her theory was that it was cooler in the woods under the canopy and she couldn’t mow, so why not cut trees? The enthusiasm this woman has for snowmobiling and getting things done is incredible. We need thousands more like her, although we might run out of work to do if that were the case. Dot Williamson of the Tweed Valley Travelers earns a well- deserved Enthusiasm award! EFFORT This club’s trail system covers over 80 miles through valley and high mountain trails. The club works closely with numerous landowners and are always well organized on trail projects in many parts thanks to this year’s recipient of this award. Annual Meeting He always puts forth a tremendous effort amongst the many other hats he wears, notably as a business owner. He has worked diligently on a couple of key projects, one involving a bridge and another on a trail relocation involving Act 250 and a wetland. At times, the correspondence from the powers to be on these projects was frustrating to say the least, but this gentleman stayed the course and put the effort forth to get both projects completed. As we all know, it takes a great deal of effort to work with Act 250 and a very large landowner as well as with the local zoning and selectboard. Tom Clark of the Mad River Ridge Runners is this year’s recipient of the Effort Award. MOTIVATOR The following person’s nomination described him as approachable, a smile on his face all the time, witty and even goofy. These are some of the attributes which make him a great motivator to all those around him. His personality goes a long way with the landowners which we could not do without. As the trailmaster, he has encouraged, motivated and welcomed a younger population to become groomers. He works closely with each them encouraging and training them as needed. Each of these groomer operators has said they consider him a mentor. Stop by his shop where the club stores their groomer and drag and he will make you feel welcome and part of the family. The poker run, club events and monthly club meetings are all conducted at his shop. He leads by example which motivates others by grooming and making the grooming schedules, working with landowner obtaining permission or resolving concerns, trail maintenance and reroutes, signage and lead seller of the club’s TMAs. He just always gives of himself unselfishly. Described as the quarterback of the Wethersfield Pathfinders, Kevin Heiden receives this year’s Motivator Award.