b'Annual Meetinggroomers who are fully committed tofundraising events and before sheNeed a guy to break trail? He is the one getting the job done.knew it, her name was in for clubthe club counts on. He also helps with This past year, they had new-to- president during the next election.any kind of trail maintenance utilizing them grooming equipment whichIt takes a village, and this person pro- own excavator equipment.needed some maintenance. Severalactively reached out to other clubs forBorn and raised in Vermont, he was of the members stepped up to get theideas, education, assistance and advicedestined to be involved in the sport. groomer up and running to minimizeto ensure things happened smoothly. After all, his dad was one of the any impact to the riders in the area. The nomination stated that she wasfounding members of the club.This club hosts a 45-mile poker run,focused on lifting the club up and which is well attended each year. Theymaking it sustainable for the future. TRAILBLAZER are fortunate to have many volunteersThe 2019 Horizon Award goes to who help prepare for and execute thisKristen Flower from the Burke DriftRalph Stone has been involved with event. Skippers. snowmobiling for over 25 years. He Quoting one of the nominations for thishas held the club officer position of club, They exemplify the true spiritsecretary for many years.of volunteerism, are a team, and areTRAILBLAZERHe does an overwhelming amount of ambassadors for the sport.Roberttrail work utilizing his equipment, an This years Snowmobile Club ofBlanchard ofexcavator and dump truck.the Year award goes to Barnardthe WashingtonHe can be counted on for any type Mountainviewers Snowmobile Club. Snow Flyers hasof trail work, whether it be bridge been involvedbuilding, debrushing, or general for over 26maintenance. He can also be seen out HORIZONyears in manyon the trails grooming during the AWARD capacities. Theseason.This personclub he supportsAccording to his clubs president, he is helped as muchhas traditionally had problemsthe go to guy and right-hand man.as she could,recruiting volunteers and he has filled but the clubwhatever role was needed over theIn addition to trail work, he also helps meetings wereyears to keep the club going. with planning events and fundraisers held during theHe was club president for 26 years.and works the club food booth at the week, makingHe recently stepped down from thistown events. The clubs annual ride-in it difficult toposition, but the new president hasis held on his property every year. attend and getshared how gracious he is in offering fully engagedhis support during this transition. FOUNDERS since she didnt live full time inHe supports the community as wellAWARDVermont. on the selectboard. He helps withThe following The club was struggling at the time, sofundraisers and especially the Bigperson is a face she proposed that the club meetingsSlide where they groom a trail for theand voice many be held on Saturdays so others couldkids to slide on. Money raised at thisof you have participate. Before you knew it, thisevent is donated to the local schoolseen and heard person started caring for clubs socialsystem. for years. He is media which led to getting moreYou may know him or his voice. He isnot shy to ask people volunteering and attending thethe guy calling numbers for the rafflequestions and Saturday meetings. at the Vintage Snowmobile Rally. share advice. Her role expanded to coordinatingHe is open minded to change and 10 | Snowmobile VERMONT'