Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Fall 2016 | 27 Patience In 2012, the entire club that these two gentleman belong to received the Effort Award as a club. This year, these two gentleman are going to receive the Patience Award. The clubs’ trail system was heavily damaged and severed almost in half by flooding in 2008. After a couple years of planning, numerous meetings and agitated nerves, the trails were starting to be repaired and relocated to get them back open. Then hurricane Irene rolled through in 2011, causing even more damage on these same trails. Since that time, the club has continued to work towards reclaiming their entire trail system. The light has been turned back on at the end of the tunnel as one section of trail will finally be open for use again this winter. The club might be up there decking some of the bridges on the trail today! Work is expected to begin on the other closed section of trail in the summer of 2017, once again allowing the clubs entire trail system to open after a decade. These two gentleman have lead the charge and somehow have maintained their dedication to VAST and snowmobiling all of these years. To say the least, they have been patient! Please put your hands together for Tim Bowen and Tom Patterson of the Route 100 Snow Travelers of Washington county. Trailmaster of the Year The award this year is actually going to three individuals who are all relatives involved in the same club. Two of them are brothers and the other is the son and nephew. I am told the brothers are somewhat polar opposites and each have their own way of going about a task, but the bottom line is that together the three of them get the tasks completed, no matter what it is. The brothers were some of the original founding members of their club and have continued to be active, and again like so many, step forward to help the club transition or keep it moving in a positive direction, even dragging the son/nephew into it at a young age. They actively participate in all of the club’s fundraisers and functions, regularly attend meetings, cut brush, install signage and pretty much do it all. This family’s name has been synonymous with the local club and they are proud to be volunteers. Together they exemplify what a trailmaster is. This year’s Trailmaster of the Year Award goes to brothers Dave and Tim Aldrighetti and their son/nephew Derek Aldrighetti from the White River Valley Ramblers. County Trail Coordinator of the Year Everyone knows this gentleman because he has been around for a long time. I, like many of those I am giving awards to, have worked with him since I started at VAST. He has held many roles including vice president of VAST. He is currently the county’s director and trail coordinator and is heavily involved in his local club. He is always up front about how he sees a particular issue. Some people are upset by this, yet it does not faze him. He can disagree relentlessly with you in a meeting, but as soon as you walk out the door he’ll ask you if you want to grab dinner with him and nothing else is said about the debate held earlier. Nothing is taken personally. He has done a magnificent job as director and county trail coordinator for his county and as a jack of all trades for his club for many years. This year, he was placed onto the Trail Policy Subcommittee that had the task of changing the VAST trail polices drastically among other things. This was a difficult task, but this gentleman stepped up to the plate, offered good ideas, good criticism and overall really helped to provide a positive image for a set of policies that were a huge change from what they were. I really appreciate what he has done over the years and continues to do and wanted to recognize him as the County Trail Coordinator of the Year. Please put your hands together for Dave Page of Essex County. Most Improved Trails (Presented by Dick Jewett) One of the very enjoyable moments of being a director is having the opportunity to present awards at the annual VAST meeting. This year’s “Most Improved Trails” club does not have a groomer of their own. Yet, during the last few years they have stepped up to the plate by keeping their trails cleared of trees and brush. They constantly continue to Annual Meeting