The Maine Chapter of the International Appalachian Trail recently recognized Dick Anderson and Walter Anderson this evening for their contributions to the International Appalachian Trail and ‘Thinking Beyond Borders’.
Several friends from the AT community—notably, the ATC, the AT Museum, the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, and the Maine Appalachian Trail Club—joined us to present Dick with the hiking stick and certificate for his induction into the AT Hall of Fame. Steve Paradis, Bill O’Brien, Will French and Tony Barrett helped us congratulate Dick.
No sooner had we presented Walter with Maine IAT’s first Thinking Beyond Borders Award then he reminded us why he was the clear first choice. He delivered a crisp 5-minute explanation of Earth history and just what it is that the IAT knits together around the North Atlantic.
Sophie Leigh, a student at McGill University in Montreal, wrapped up her Maine IAT internship in late July. The internship is open to Maine and other United States students at McGill by a generous Maine alumnus of the university, John Wasilewski. Sophie spent hours pouring through the Maine IAT archives at the Maine Historical Society in Portland to understand how the trail came to be, and especially how the route evolved over the years. Sophie also spent time helping to clear and maintain the section of trail from Wassataquoik Stream to the summit of Deasey, and that particular experience likely inspired this blog post.
The gathering was also an early birthday party for the two. Dick will be 91 in a week, and Walter will be 96 come February. It was a wonderful celebration of their dedication and hard work and we were so happy to have so many friends and supporters join us.
We love you Dick and Walt!