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By MICHAEL CHERNICK
During the second weekend in June, the Green Mountain Club's
annual meeting convened at the Bolton Valley Resort. Under
the coordination of the club's Montpelier Section, and the
capable leadership of the weekend's chair, Priscilla Page,
the festivities were inaugurated on Friday afternoon June
8th with the opening of a hospitality suite at the resort's
hotel.
The highlights of the Friday program were a hike around the
Bolton property to a former Long Trail shelter and a well
attended evening slide show that Reidun and Andrew Nuquist
presented on their recent trip around the Norwegian Arctic.
Saturday's events opened with a continental breakfast, which
segued into the annual meeting's most important event, the
business session. Club President Marty Lauethers welcomed
the large gathering, and she thanked everyone for giving up
a wonderful late spring day to attend the program. Chief Executive
Officer, Ben Rose, reported on the state of the club and announced
ambitious new capitol fundraising goals to assure the stability
of the club's various operational activities.
A representative from the different sections reported on
local happenings during the past year. The NEKGMC's recently
elected President, Pat Aubin, enthusiastically informed the
gathering that our section is percolating with expanding membership,
an increased program schedule, special efforts on Champion
Lands, and most importantly, great potluck suppers.
During the awards presentations, Section Secretary Michael
Chernick was specially recognized for his efforts in helping
to develop the NEKGMC. Our very special Section Director,
Beth Dugger, was the recipient of the coveted GMC President's
Award. This was presented in tribute to her round the clock,
and truly extraordinary, leadership on behalf of the main
club's Champion Land's hiking corridor management proposal.
The recipients of a GMC President's Award are usually honored
for years, if not decades, of service to the club. The mere
18 months that have elapsed since Beth began her GMC Champion
Lands' adventure signifies the special role that she has played
for the club on this vital Kingdom issue. Beth spoke during
the open forum and stressed that the club's underlying principle
in Champion related matters is partnership!
The business session adjourned for lunch following Heinz
Tebit’s enthusiastic presentation of the newly completed
Section Leaders' Handbook.
The afternoon featured several hiking adventures, and the
evening's events consisted of a dinner at which noted Vermont
Life Editor and Vermont Public Radio Commentator, Tom Slayton,
eloquently reflected on the role of New England's mountains
in his life. The weekend concluded with a Sunday work hike
and the dedication, in memory of GMC's special volunteers,
the Pirkanens, of the club's tool and trail maintenance facility
in the magnificently restored north barn at club headquarters.
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