b'Annual Meetingperforming maintenance, and keepingprojects and assisting with any trail the groomer ready at all times. He hasrepairs that needed hands. She has spent many late nights and long dayshanded out prizes at fundraisers and creating the smooth, safe trails riderseven joined her dad on Christmas Day enjoy. And when the snow melts, hewhile he adjusted the skags on the doesnt stop. He works alongside theclubs drag to prepare for a grooming trailmaster and crew to install signagerun that night. That is commitment. and plan improvements. He served asShe has completed the snowmobile trailmaster himself for many years, andsafety course and now has her own although he has passed on the title,sled that she is learning to ride he continues to offer his full support.confidently. Her passion continues to When hes not volunteering, hes oftengrow. She even created a poster board Trailblazer Award: Larry Dwyerout riding the very trails he helpsabout snowmobiling and proudly maintain. displays it at home. This year, she Our next honoree has volunteered inhopes to become a junior director with the snowmobile community for nearlyFounders Award: Linwood Mixer her club.35 years. His involvement spans two clubs across neighboring counties,Prior Trailblazer Award recipients reflecting his strong commitment toparticipate each year in selecting the the sport and the people who keep itFounders Award honoree. This year, going. Over the years, he has servedwe recognize a gentleman who has as club secretary, trails coordinator,dedicated more than 30 years to the director, VAST safety instructor sincesport of snowmobiling. His knowledge 2007, and VAST safety ambassador. Inruns deep, and his steady, thoughtful each role, he brings energy, reliability,presence has earned him the respect and follow-through. He has led bridgeof everyone around him. He is a voice repairs, cleared trails for reroutes,of reason and a dependable leader. installed signage and stakes, andHe is someone we can always count helped set up advertising billboards.on. He has never been one to sit on Whether its routine maintenance orthe sidelines. Over the years, he has urgent trail work, hes often the oneserved as club president, county organizing the crew and coordinatingpresident, groomer operator, board with landowners. He lives anddirector and more. In each role, breathes snowmobiling. His dedicationhe has led by example. One of his is unwavering. greatest strengths is the respectful,Snowmobiler of the Year:professional relationships he buildsYvonne Ricewith landowners. He sets the goldOur next award recipient is someone standard for how we should engagewhose passion for snowmobiling with those who make our trail systemruns deep. She has ridden in every possible. He is a true gentleman, acounty in Vermont. She is not just a strong advocate for the sport and arider. She is an ambassador for the tireless volunteer. sport. For more than 28 years, she has served as president of her club, Junior Snowmobiler of the Year:following earlier roles as secretary Alina Phillips and treasurer. Her leadership has been steady and unwavering. She maintains We often talk about the importanceclose relationships with landowners of involving our youth in the futureby sending thank you notes, giving of our sport. In many cases, thatupdates, organizing appreciation involvement begins when passionatedinners and handling both praise and Trailblazer Award: Andrevolunteers bring their families alongcomplaints with professionalism. Her Dessureau for the ride. Today, we recognize adedication extends beyond her own For 25 years, our next honoree has beenyoung lady who has been involvedclub. She is serving her second term as a dependable and steady volunteerin her local club since she was acounty secretary, after holding the role within his local snowmobile club. Histoddler. Thanks to her dads activefor about 10 years, taking a short break commitment to grooming and trailparticipation, she has grown upand returning to continue contributing. operations has been extraordinary.around trail crews, grooming machinesHer work is deeply valued by county Throughout the season, he is aand club meetings. She has spent manyleadership. This year, she also joined familiar face at the clubhouseoftenhours riding in the groomer, stakinga VAST committee. In 45 years of there dailychecking equipment,and signing trails, helping with bridgeinvolvement, she has missed only one 12 | Snowmobile Vermont'