b'Annual MeetingVAST Annual Meeting. She and hershe had very little time on a sled, butoperator faced a medical emergency, husband even traveled to Alaska tothat did not stop her from jumping in.he stepped up without hesitation snowmobile there. That is how muchShe has served as her clubs secretaryand personally handled 90% of the she loves the sport. Talk to her for fivefor several years and is currentlygrooming that season. Whether its minutes and you will quickly realizehelping with treasurer duties untilhauling equipment to construction snowmobiling is not just a hobby forthe role is filled. She contributes tosites or being a constant presence at her. It is her life. club events with her decorating skillsthe groomer shelter, he shows up day and is always ready to help. She isafter day. His commitment to the club a hands-on volunteer. She showsand to VAST is clear in everything up for workdays, rides co-pilot inhe does. He leads by doing, and his the groomer and handles countlesspassion for the sport and community is behind-the-scenes tasks that keep theunmatched.club running. Now a snowmobile owner, she rides with her soon-to-be husband and contributes both her time and her heart to the clubs mission. Whether she is attending meetings, helping build bridges, recording minutes or stepping in wherever she is needed, she is always ready to help. Snowmobile Family of the Year:As her nomination stated, the club is The Cadieux Family incredibly grateful for her dedication When we talk about snowmobilingand proud to have her.being a family affair, this next award could not be a better example. This husband-and-wife team has been the backbone of their club for many years.Presidents Award: Wayne CooleyBetween them, they have served in nearly every leadership role, includingOur second Presidents Award president, vice president, treasurer,recipient has generously volunteered secretary and county representative.his time and expertise on trail projects When a position needed to be filled,for many years. Just over a year ago, they stepped up. Their dedication runshe stepped into the leadership role of deep. He grooms and maintains theTrailmaster, and from the moment he equipment and puts in countless hourstook it on, he hit the ground running. keeping the system operating. TogetherHe immediately developed a plan to they have organized fundraisers,address trail damage caused by past coordinated landowner appreciationflooding while making thoughtful events and supported the club in everyimprovements to protect against way imaginable. They were friendsfuture issues. He did his homework, and neighbors of the clubs foundingPresidents Award: Dana Nason researched solutions, negotiated members, and although we do notWe have two recipients of thepricing, and used his network to secure know for certain, it is likely that isPresidents Award this year. Thedonations of equipment and operator how they first became involved. Wefirst is someone whose dedicationtime.are fortunate they did. They embodyand drive are hard to match. Its noIn addition to leading trail work, everything that makes this sport andexaggeration to say hes the engine thathe has taken responsibility for our community so special. As theirkeeps things moving. Hes a familiarequipment maintenance and repairs. nomination noted, without theirface at every club meeting and event,When landowner concerns surfaced commitment, it is hard to say whetheralways involved and always ready toearly in the season, he handled the the club would still exist today. help. As club Treasurer, he carefullysituation with professionalism and manages the finances and maintainscare, earning trust and respect. He Horizon Award: Hannah Phelps strong communication with other clubalso built a strong partnership with a Our next award recipient proves thatleaders, and thats just one of the manyneighboring club and has stepped in passion can evolve. When it does,hats he wears. to assist with their trail and grooming it can take you places you neverHe also serves as trailmaster for theneeds whenever help was needed. expected. She was once a dedicatedclubs 75 miles of trails, coordinatingHe takes full ownership of his roleskier. Now she has embracedpre-season prep, organizing upcomingsupporting trail work, fundraising, snowmobiling as her new winterprojects, and scheduling all groomingand community eventsand does passion. When she became involved,runs. When a fellow groomerit all with a smile, a quiet confidence, and a willingness to step in wherever Early Winter 2025 | 13'