Ice Age Trail Alliance - Volunteer Spotlight

The Ice Age Trail Alliance would not exist without the hundreds of volunteers who support our mission. In appreciation and recognition of their dedication, longevity and motivating support, the Ice Age Trail Alliance gives out the following awards:

In the Mud Award

This award is given to IATA member volunteers who display dedication to the mission and goals of the IATA and a willingness to roll up their sleeves on behalf of the Ice Age Trail. An In the Mud award recipient:

Consistently shows up at workdays and dives into the dirty work
Makes significant efforts to establish the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Epitomizes the bedrock volunteer spirit responsible for building trail

Nomination: Chapter leaders request nominations from chapter members toward the end of each year. At-large ("Statewide") members and chapter members being nominated for work outside of their chapter may be nominated by any volunteer, staff member or board member.

Selection: Chapter winners will be selected by chapter vote at December or January chapter meetings, with a maximum of two recipients per chapter per year. Chapter leaders then forward to staff, by February 15, the nomination form (see below) with a list of specific tasks the volunteer completed during the past year and how In the Mud criteria were met. Staff selects statewide-affiliated nominees by majority vote. Click here to download a nomination form.

Presentation: Presented at the IATA annual membership conference. If the award winner cannot attend the conference, the award is delivered via mail.

Past Recipients

Chapter/Group	Year	Volunteer
Baraboo Hills	2002	Wester, Jane
Baraboo Hills	2004	Springer, Rick
Baraboo Hills	2004	Tollaksen, Shirley
Baraboo Hills	2005	Olsen, Keri
Baraboo Hills	2006	Lange, Bob
Baraboo Hills	2007	Wenzler, Jo
Blue Hills	2002	Cahow, Adam
Chillin' on the Ice Age Trail	2009	Bradley, Leah
Chillin' on the Ice Age Trail	2009	McNulty, Dolly
Chippewa Moraine	2002	Magyar, Rick
Chippewa Moraine	2005	Parks, JoAnn
Chippewa Moraine	2006	Kraemer, Cal
Chippewa Moraine	2007	Caliebe, Dave
Chippewa Moraine	2008	Schuster, Tony
Chippewa Moraine	2009	Johnson, Carol
Chippewa Moraine	2009	Pachaud, Donna Jean
Chippewa Moraine	2009	Schultz, Jane
Dane County	2002	Bieberstein, Tammy
Dane County	2004	Bishop, Jon
Dane County	2005	Shaheen, Peter
Dane County	2006	Wise, Tom
Dane County	2007	Werner, Theresa
Dane County	2009	Bent, Andrew
Door/Kewaunee County	2002	Abrahamson, Jim
Door/Kewaunee County	2005	Abrahamson, Jim
Heritage Trail	2002	Petras, Frank
Heritage Trail	2002	Verburgt, Charles
Heritage Trail	2004	Granberg, Shelley
Heritage Trail	2005	Fredrick, Gary
High Point	2002	Kraft, Ken
High Point	2002	Olson, Todd
High Point	2004	McCabe, Steven
High Point	2004	Meyer, Buzz
High Point	2006	Berglund, Mark
High Point	2006	Merwin, Lowell
High Point	2007	Thiede, Gene
Indianhead	2002	Brown, Wanda
Indianhead	2002	Lundberg, Corky
Indianhead	2004	Bilek, Larry
Indianhead	2004	Jeffries, Dorothy
Indianhead	2005	Dexter, Bruce
Indianhead	2005	Gustafson, Dick
Indianhead	2006	Dalleska, Edith
Indianhead	2006	Kant, Jeannie
Indianhead	2007	Kuhlmann, Paul
Indianhead	2008	Pedersen, Edwin
Indianhead	2009	Lundberg, Herb
Lakeshore	2007	Schoenike, Kenneth
Lakeshore	2008	Powers, Jim
Langlade County	2002	Koss, Stanley
Langlade County	2004	Auner, Lee
Langlade County	2005	Auner, Lee
Langlade County	2005	Koss, Betty
Langlade County	2005	Koss, Stanley
Langlade County	2006	McKenna Family
Langlade County	2006	Tlusty Family
Langlade County	2007	Jopek, Joe
Langlade County	2007	Jopek, Peg
Langlade County	2008	Fox, Rita
Langlade County	2009	Branson, Baker
Lodi Valley	2002	Cable, Nick
Lodi Valley	2004	Malzhan, Carlyn
Lodi Valley	2005	Smith, Paulette
Lodi Valley	2005	Smith, Ron
Lodi Valley	2006	Welch, Bill
Lodi Valley	2007	Beers, Jody
Lodi Valley	2008	Wolfe, Ron
Lodi Valley	2009	Fanney, Hannah
Manitowoc County	2002	Knier, Phil
Manitowoc County	2004	Nystrom, Carol
Manitowoc County	2005	Gorsuch, Cheryl
Manitowoc County	2006	Knier, Phil
Marathon County	2002	Bain, Dorothy
Marathon County	2002	Skarie, Bill
Marathon County	2002	Sparr, Bill
Marathon County	2002	Sparr, Carol
Marathon County	2004	Davidowski, Edwin
Marathon County	2004	Davidowski, Karla
Marathon County	2005	Beck, Jim
Marathon County	2008	Wood, Al
Marathon County	2009	Pernsteiner, Dick
North Kettle Moraine	2002	Vogl, Ann
North Kettle Moraine	2004	Schulz, Richard
North Kettle Moraine	2005	Beutenmueller, Bob
Northwoods	2002	Koniecki, Wayne
Portage County	2002	Jack, Robert
Portage County	2002	Vollrath, John
Portage County	2004	Anderson, Barbara
Portage County	2004	Andrews, Colleen
Portage County	2004	Simmons, Rick
Portage County	2005	Rogers, George
Portage County	2005	Stelzer, Diane
Portage County	2005	Trainer, Betty
Portage County	2006	Harris, Ronald
Portage County	2006	Janssen, Guy
Portage County	2007	Seefelt, Edward
Portage County	2008	Milfred, Clarence
Portage County	2009	Hagen, Lora
Rock County	2002	Paynter, Dean
Rock County	2004	Locascio, Esther
Rock County	2004	Locascio, Greg
Rock County	2005	Atwood, George
Rock County	2006	McRoberts, George
Rock County	2007	Marr, Clara
Rock County	2008	Austin, Beth
Rock County	2008	Austin, Howard
Rock County	2009	Weber, Stu
Statewide	2007	Shank, John
Superior Lobe	2002	Erickson, Don
Superior Lobe	2002	Held, Bob
Superior Lobe	2004	Lindemann, Harold
Superior Lobe	2004	Veldhuizen, Keith
Superior Lobe	2005	Crisler, Dale
Superior Lobe	2005	Sandstrom, Laura
Superior Lobe	2005	Thorson, Dave
Superior Lobe	2006	Held, Audrey
Superior Lobe	2007	McRaith, Tim
Superior Lobe	2009	Crisler, Carole
Walworth/Jefferson County	2002	Helwig, Russell
Walworth/Jefferson County	2002	Knickrehm, William
Walworth/Jefferson County	2004	Ward, Sally
Walworth/Jefferson County	2004	Wheeler, June
Walworth/Jefferson County	2005	Dziengel, Sharon
Walworth/Jefferson County	2005	Lazzaroni, Vince
Walworth/Jefferson County	2006	Jefchak, Dale
Walworth/Jefferson County	2006	Lazzaroni, Nancy
Walworth/Jefferson County	2007	Lidholm, Lyle
Walworth/Jefferson County	2008	Harris, Eileen
Walworth/Jefferson County	2009	Patzke, Gary
Walworth/Jefferson County	2009	Patzke, Hedda
Washington/Ozaukee County	2002	Bartlow, Rod
Washington/Ozaukee County	2002	Krueger, Lee
Washington/Ozaukee County	2002	Stodola, Bob
Washington/Ozaukee County	2005	Broman, Bob
Washington/Ozaukee County	2005	Wollmer, Mike
Washington/Ozaukee County	2006	Sanford, Craig
Washington/Ozaukee County	2008	DeLaney, Lisa
Washington/Ozaukee County	2008	Scharhag, Janel
Washington/Ozaukee County	2009	Klima, Paula
Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2002	Fossen, Judy
Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2004	Mozina, Paul
Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2005	Crary, Brad
Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2006	Balsley, Stacey
Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2006	Witkowski, Pat
Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2007	Evans, Frank
Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2007	Evans, Russ
Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2007	Shank, John
Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2008	Jensen, Kris
Waupaca County	2002	Krogwold, Debbie
Waupaca County	2002	Ruechel, Darrel
Waupaca County	2004	Leiskau, Patricia
Waupaca County	2004	Stone, Gary
Waupaca County	2005	Ruechel, Darrel
Waupaca County	2009	Siegel, Butch
Waushara County	2002	Lennartz, Randy
Waushara County	2004	Buresh, Ted
Waushara County	2004	Katzmarek, Marty
Waushara County	2005	Rettler, Matt
Waushara County	2006	Katzmarek, Joanne
Waushara County	2006	Katzmarek, Marty
Waushara County	2009	Klem, John

Note: In 2003, awards presentation was moved from autumn to spring; 2003 awards were postponed and presented in spring 2004

Years of Service Award

Longevity of active volunteer service is awarded at 10-, 20- and 30-year milestones.

Selection: The IATA has tracked volunteer hours, through chapter and other volunteer event reporting, since 2007 to help identify these award recipients. Chapter leaders must identify and report to staff "active since" dates for volunteers active prior to 2007.

Presentation: Presented at the IATA annual membership conference. If the award winner cannot attend the conference, the award is delivered via mail.

Past Recipients

30 Years of Service
Blazek, Dean	2009
Blazek, Polly	2009
Cahow, Adam	2004
Cromer, Bob	2005
Cromer, Dede	2005
Emmerich, Gerald	2007
Emmerich, Signe	2007
Jopek, Joe	2005
Jopek, Peg	2005
Phillips, David	2007
Schotz, Herb	2005
Victor, Tim	2005
Wheeler, June	2008
20 Years of Service
Alberg, Bernard	2007
Alberg, Bess	2007
Algire, Tom	2007
Andrews, Colleen	2006
Auner, Cleon	2009
Brouchoud, Bernie	2002
Dinsmore, Amelia	2007
Dinsmore, Lee	2007
Drought, Tom	2008
Ferber, Don	2009
Freckmann, Robert	2004
Freckmann, Sally	2004
Fredrick, Gary	2007
Holman, Roger	2006
Kirk, Barbara	2004
Kirk, Michael	2004
Kittel, Richard	2008
Klessig, Lowell	2007
Klingenberg, Loretta	2004
Koss, Betty	2009
Koss, Stanley	2009
Krogwold, Wendell	2007
Lochner, Paul	2006
Lovejoy, Dave	2006
Lovejoy, Lois	2006
Magyar, Rick	2005
Murtagh, Blanche	2004
Neitzke, Ken	2007
Petras, Frank	2007
Popelka, Bernice	2009
Presney, Tom	2002
Ruechel, Darrel	2007
Schaber, Dale	2006
Schaber, Penny	2006
Schad, Jim	2005
Schad, Marge	2005
Seefelt, Edward	2008
Seefelt, Mary	2008
Siegel, Butch	2009
Simmons, Rick	2006
Stodola, Robert	2006
Wacker, Martin	2004
Waraczynski, Ken	2009
Waraczynski, Sally	2009
Welch, Bob	2005
Werner, Gary	2004
Wise, Tom	2009
10 Years of Service
Anderson, Barbara (Bobbi)	2003
Anderson, Paul	2007
Anderson, Robert	2007
Anderson, Susan	2007
Andrews, Colleen	2004
Anglin, John	2006
Backe, Pat	2004
Backe, Tom	2004
Balsley, Stacey	2007
Beckwith, Nat	2008
Bloodgood, Sharon	2007
Brandeen, Carolyn	2004
Brown, Wanda	2009
Buresh, Theodore	2009
Cates, Dick	2002
Clark, Steve	2006
Clarke, Tom	2006
Converse, Barbara	2002
Converse, Jerome	2002
Crisler, Carole	2006
Crisler, Dale	2006
Culver, Joe	2002
Culver, Mavis	2002
Davy, Art	2004
Derro, Sue	2006
Dettmers, Ron	2006
Dreier, Patty	2008
Dreier, Tom	2008
Dversdall, Cora	2006
Dversdall, Dean	2006
Dziengel, Sharon	2009
Eagon, Burdette	2006
Ellingboe, Sally	2006
Ellingboe, Steve	2006
Engleson, David	2007
Feller Gottard, Carol	2006
Flyte, Cheryl	2009
Foris, Rick	2006
Fort, Mike	2006
Foss, Linda	2006
Garthers, Barb	2005
Gensch, Jerry	2009
Gierke, Sarah	2008
Gilbertson, Georgia	2006
Gilbertson, Russ	2006
Glejf, Bob	2005
Glejf, Jennye	2005
Goeres, Ted	2006
Granberg, Shelley	2008
Hagen, Lora	2009
Hall, Kent	2006
Hall, Sue	2006
Haney, Alan	2005
Hansis, Virginia	2005
Harris, Kristy	2007
Harris, Ron	2006
Hartman, Edward	2009
Hayes, Paul	2007
Heinz, Cherie	2004
Heinz, Jim	2004
Hubert, Charlotte	2005
Hughes, Ken	2006
Jack, Robert	2007
Jensen, Kristine	2007
Kaplan, E. Guy	2009
Kieffer, Anne	2004
Klatt, Gary	2002
Knickrehm, William	2002
Krogwold, Debbie	2007
Krueger, Joyce	2004
Krueger, Lee	2004
Larson, Ingrid	2002
Lazzaroni, Nancy	2002
Lazzaroni, Vince	2002
Leiskau, Patricia	2007
Lennartz, Randy	2009
Lewis, Sally	2006
Lindsay, Kate	2006
Lundberg, Corky	2006
Lundberg, Herb	2004
Lutz, Diane	2006
Maier, Doriann	2008
McCabe, Steve	2006
McKearn, Pat	2006
McKinney, Fran	2005
McNulty, Dolly	2002
McRoberts, Gay	2006
McRoberts, George	2006
Mewaldt, John	2006
Michler, John	2008
Milfred, Clarence	2008
Mozina, Paul	2007
Musolf, Bea	2002
Musolf, Gene	2002
Neitzke, Ken	2004
Newton, Robin	2007
Numsen, Gene	2005
Nystrom, Carol	2004
Ordens, Judy	2008
Ordens, Tom	2008
Ott, George	2006
Patzke, Gary	2009
Patzke, Hedda	2009
Paynter, Dean	2004
Paynter, Jayne	2004
Pintar, Tom	2008
Plaisance, Kathleen	2004
Popelka, Bernice	2007
Pray, David	2005
Pray, Pauline	2005
Roberts, Jan	2007
Samsel, Clyde	2009
Samsel, Janet	2009
Sanford, Craig	2007
Sanford, Will	2007
Schmidt, Aurelia	2006
Schotz, Chris	2004
Schultz, Russ	2002
Simmons, Rick	2004
Skelton, William	2007
Smith, Richard	2006
Soma, Nancy	2006
Stenmark, Allan	2004
Stevenson, Nancy	2008
Strauch, Bernice	2005
Thuma, Paul	2002
Tlusty, Dave	2007
Tollaksen, Shirley	2004
Trainer, Betty	2004
Waraczynski, Ken	2007
Waraczynski, Sally	2007
Warth, Tom	2006
Welch, Debbie	2005
Whitburn, Gerald	2008
Wood, Al	2007
Wood, Ann	2007

Ray Zillmer Award

As the highest honor given by the IATA, the Ray Zillmer Award recognizes individuals whose work exemplifies the long-range, big-picture ideals that inspired/inspire the establishment of the Ice Age Trail. Nominees have performed at least two of the following actions:

• Served the Ice Age Trail for many years
• Markedly elevated public awareness of the Trail
• Secured significant funding
• Significantly advanced the Trail in some other way

Nomination: Written nominations are submitted to any staff member or member of the Board of Directors. Nominations will be directed to the Executive Director, for additional input, then to the Board President for distribution to the ad hoc Award Selection Committee.

Selection:Prior to the nomination deadline, an ad hoc Award Selection Committee will be determined and the selection meeting date scheduled to occur within a few weeks after the close of nominations.

Presentation: This award is presented publicly by the Executive Director or the President of the Board of Directors, at a statewide Trail event, celebration, public event or media event.

Past Recipients

David Obey, 2001

Henry S. Reuss Award

A prestigious award, the Henry S. Reuss Award recognizes work on behalf of the Trail at many levels. It emphasizes the recipient’s ability to affect influential parties to take an active role in the mission of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. It also denotes an ongoing relationship as a Friend of the Trail who has brought about lasting change for Trail mission advancement.

Nomination: Written nominations are submitted to a staff member, Executive Director or member of the Board of Directors. Click here to download a nomination form. Nominations will be directed to the Executive Director, for additional input, then to the Board President to be placed on the agenda for discussion at the next Board of Directors meeting.

Selection: Process will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors. This may or may not be an annual award, as nominations dictate.

Presentation: Made by the President of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director or their delegate, at a public gathering or media event.

Past Recipients

Kevin Shibilski, 2001

Tammy Baldwin, 2004

Spirit Stick Award

This award signifies long-term dedication and service to the Trail, carried out in a spirit of cooperation, optimism and enthusiasm. It honors those whose love of the Ice Age Trail approaches a way of life. The recipient leads by example and inspires those around them. A statewide award, the Spirit Stick is presented to only one recipient per year.

Nomination: Nominees are submitted to staff members by any volunteer, staff member, Board Member or other interested party.

Selection: The Staff will select the recipient of this award by majority vote.

Presentation: Presentation of this award occurs at the Ice Age Trail Alliance's Annual Membership Conference. The award is a hand-carved walking stick depicting the Wood Spirit in human form. This is a traveling trophy remaining with the recipient for one year. Each recipient’s name and the year of their award are carved into the stick.

Past Recipients

Gary Werner, 2000

Bill “Kangaroo” Knickrehm, 2001

Butch Siegel, 2002

Nancy Lazzaroni, 2004

Joe Jopek, 2005

Ken Neitzke, 2006

David Phillips, 2007

Dean Dversdall, 2008

Bernie & Bess Alberg, 2009

The Legend of the Wood Spirit

The Wood Spirit is said to be the Lord of the Forest and Natural Things. European villagers used to go out on regular hunts, hoping to find a Wood Spirit to foretell the future of their village.

The next time you are strolling through the woods, keep an eye out for one of these elusive creatures. They are extremely strong. Wood Spirits can tear an opponent, limb from limb, and can tame any wild animal. At the same time they are gentle with maidens, children and men of good heart.

It is said that the forest will stand for as long as the Wood Spirit remains to keep order. And if you’re lucky to see one, health, happiness and good fortune will be yours. However, that does not happen often. Wood Spirits would rather see than be seen. Most sightings are by children or the pure of heart.

When you take your Wood Spirit home, give it a place of honor. Include the Wood Spirit in the audience when you tell jokes (they have a great sense of humor). If you do these things, your Wood Spirit will bring his gentle wisdom, humor and luck into your home.

Public Partner Award

This award is presented to an individual rather than a body of government. The recipient works for a public, governmental agency and has provided ongoing and long-term service for the Trail, above and beyond regular duties.

Nomination: Written nominations are submitted, by any interested party, to a staff member, Executive Director or the Board of Directors of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Click here to download the nomination form.

Selection: Nominations will be directed to the Executive Director, for additional input, then to the President of the Board and placed on the agenda of the next Board of Directors meeting for discussion.

Presentation: This award will be presented at a gathering of the recipient’s peers.

Past Recipients

Janet Beach Hanson, 1997

John Wald, 2004

Tom Gilbert, 2008

Tom Presny, 2008