KTA congratulates the following individuals who were recognized for their 2016 hiking accomplishments at KTA’s October 15, 2016, Annual Meeting at Whitehall Camp and Conference Center, Emlenton, Venango County:
Appalachian Trail Award (for hiking the entire Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania):
· Michael Cunningham
· Wendy Fogerty
· Robert Martin
Merit II Award (for hiking all of the Appalachian Trail between the Hudson and Potomac Rivers and 200 miles on Pennsylvania’s other trails):
· Denise Bogert
· Scot Bogert
Young Hiker Award (for youth aged 12 and under who have hiked 25 or more miles on any trail in Pennsylvania):
· Morgan Aldridge, age 9, for hiking over 153 miles on the Appalachian Trail
· Gust Diamontoni, age 10, for hiking over 153 miles on the Appalachian Trail
· Will Diamontoni, age 10, for hiking 32 miles on the Appalachian Trail
In addition KTA recognized completers of the 2016 100-Mile Trail Challenge. The challenge is to hike 100 or more miles of eligible Pennsylvania hiking trails in a designated period of time. Participants are challenged to not only complete the trails but also secure sponsorships for each mile of their journey. Each dollar raised supports hiking trails throughout Pennsylvania.
We had another successful year for our 100-Mile Trail Challenge! Between September 1, 2015, and August 31, 2016, 7 participants hiked a combined total of 1,540 miles of Pennsylvania’s trails and raised $1,651 in sponsorships to support KTA’s mission of protecting our hiking trails.
Congratulations to the following individuals who completed the 2016 100-Mile Trail Challenge:
· Careen Shafer: hiked over 500 miles, raised $448
· Susan Henderson-Utis: hiked 100 miles, raised $100
· Dawn Weiss: hiked 107 miles, raised $214
· Tom Weiss: hiked 107 miles, raised $214
· Scot and Denise Bogert: hiked 420 miles, raised $575
· Wanda Shirk: hiked 306 miles, raised $100
The 2017 100-Mile Trail Challenge started on September 1, 2016, and will complete on August 31, 2017. For more information on participating, visit the Challenge Page.
After the Hiking Awards, two very special awards were handed out: The Citation Award for Lifetime Achievement, and The Volunteer of the Year Award.
Thomas Scully of Mechanicsburg, PA, received the prestigious Citation Award for Lifetime Achievement. Kathryn Barker, Board of Directors, honored Tom with this statement: “Tom earned this highest award as someone who has already contributed what seems like several lifetimes’ worth of service to PA’s trails. When it comes to trails, Tom can provide what is needed from start to finish. Tom can propose a new trail, like those in the Ibberson Conservation Area. He can propose a relocation, taking an existing trail through a more scenic area, past a better view, off a road as he has with parts of the Appalachian Trail (AT), the Darlington Trail, and the Standing Stone Trail. Then he helps build and maintain the trail with over 21 years of experience in trail maintenance. Once the trail exists he draws up the map, like Keystone Trails Association’s AT maps; helps to write the guidebook; monitors the boundary; design, build or landscape as he has with 2 AT parking lots.”
Thomas Bastian of Jersey Shore, PA, received the prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award in 2016. Ernest Werstler, Vice President, KTA Board of Directors, spoke of Tom's incredible, 100% attendance during 2016's Trail Crew and Care Schedule. A perfect 16 in 2016, Tom Bastian retired in order to attend every single trail care event. Tom not only achieved perfect attendance, he cares for all of the equipment in the Trail Care Trailer - sharpening and cleaning every item after every use.
