Notice: I've taken a part-time job, and it's definitely affecting my blogging time. I'll continue to add content here as often as possible. Pertinent guest posts are always welcome.

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Sunday, August 8, 2010

2010 Ashland Conference, Saturday

hiker
Florence Hedeen hiking on the NCT (photo by JHY)

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by JHY

The final day of the 2010 annual North Country Trail Association conference was filled with all the kinds of events that build and cement friendships across the seven trail states. Hikes ran all day long. Various tours were offered for those who wanted more sight-seeing type adventures.
Ed Sidote
Ed Sidote (photo from the FLTC)


A highlight of the evening was the annual awards ceremony where volunteers and various agencies are honored for service to the trail. The final award given every year is the Lifetime Achievement Award, given to someone who has served and promoted the North Country Trail for more than ten years. Ed Sidote, from the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, received this honor. Ed, at 92, has been a promoter of the NCT since it first became concurrent with a portion of the FLT. He has worked tirelessly to advance the joint cause of the trails, and has become such a legend in FLT circles that an annual hike is now named for him.

Full details of all award recipients will be presented in the next North Star, the quarterly magazine of the North Country Trail Association.
square dancers
folk dancing (photo by JHY)


The evening ended with folk and square dancing, called and accompanied by the Red Barn Resonators.
hiker
Jill DeCator and Lynne Nason (photo by JHY)


There is so much that goes on behind the scenes to make a successful conference. This year's, at Ashland, Wisconsin, was the largest ever with about 240 people registering for some or all of the weekend. People like Jill DeCator, NCTA staff, and Lynne Nason, NCTA volunteer, worked constantly to ensure that everyone has a good time, required equipment appears on time, and all of those necessary details.

Think about joining us next summer, August 4-7 at Wright State University, Dayton, OH!

See the Superior News Telegram for more news
North Country Trail Association for more information about the trail, or to join

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