A Celebration of Dick Anderson and Walter Anderson

Mapp of the Maine IAT

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.

Dick Anderson receiving his award

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.

Walter Anderson

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.

Walter Anderson, Don Hudson, and Dick Anderson

We love you Dick and Walt!

Trail Status Update

The IAT comprises a network of trails that pass through public and private land and crosses a dozen international borders. Whereas the decision to close the Appalachian Trail to long distance hiking, camping and maintenance has been made by the ATC, no single authority can make a comparable decision for the IAT.

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Dick Anderson’s 85th Birthday

Dick Anderson receives congratulations from John Wuestoff at his 85th birthday party.

A wonderful group of friends gathered at the old Lunt School in Falmouth, Maine Friday evening, December 13, to celebrate IAT Founder Dick Anderson’s 85th birthday and to wrap up the 25th year of the Trail. John Wasilewski and OceanView hosted and catered the party in the auditorium of the old school, which is now party of the OceanView retirement community. Long-time friend and colleague Elizabeth Swain organized the party for the IAT board, and helped insure a robust turn-out.

The party provided an opportunity to also honor former Governor Joseph Brennan, who celebrated his 85th birthday in early November. Joe met Dick in 1953 at the University of Maine at Orono, and Joe appointed Dick as his Commissioner of the Department of Conservation in 1979.

A slide show of Dick’s life and the development of the IAT played on the big screen while family, friends and colleagues from their days in government congratulated Dick and Joe, and talked about everything from fishing trips and other escapades. Former Director of the Bureau of Parks & Lands Herb Hartman was in full caucus ore with the former Director of the State Planning Office Dick Barringer and the former Governor. The room was filled with constant chatter as old friends, many who had not seen one another for a couple of decades got up to speed with one another’s lives.

IAT champion Eddie Woodin kicked off the speeches with a reminiscence of Dick’s life that hit all the high points, from the early days working for Maine Fish & Game (now Inland Fisheries & Wildlife) on salmon in Sebago Lake, to Directing the Maine Audubon Society, and six years of helping to kickstart the recycling business in Maine before heading to state government.

Dick’s party helped raise over $20,000 for the IAT, with about half heading to the endowment and the other to day-to-day operations. We are grateful for all of the warm regards and financial support as Dick and the IAT head into the new year.

Christopher Ayres and Benjamin Dudley
Cathy L Ramsdell and Alan Lishness, with Cliff Young and IAT long-distance phenom Joe Norman behind.
Long-time Maine IAT Board member Torrey Sylvester recounting one of many anecdotes about Dick.
Long-time friend, Eddie Woodin, kick’s off an evening of funny and astounding stories about Dick and his accomplishments.
Maine IAT president Don Hudson reflects on working with Dick on the IAT for 25 years!
Cathy Ramsdell, Eddie Woodin, Nancy Robinson, and IAT Chief Geologist Walter Anderson.
Mark Sullivan and Annee Tara share a laugh.
Dick Anderson thanks everyone for the well-wishes.
Dick Barringer, Herb Hartman, and Governor Joe Brennan look back at the ups and downs––mostly ups!––of public service.

From the Trail… Sharing Space

Trails are often designed and built for a specific purpose. The first 50 or so miles along the IAT, heading south from the border crossing, has become a multi-use trail, but not by any grand design or plan.

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