journey here to there
XAIPETE NIKΩMEN
VOLUNTEERS
A Here to There, LLC Event
I happen to think that I have some of the best volunteers around. They brave the early hours and the cold all the while caring for the well-being of my runners. The amazing thing to me - they keep coming back. For those of you who've run the Ghost Town before, you will see a few familiar faces. I thought it might be fun for you to know something about them!
There's no telling when I would receive info. if I asked for it in a formal manner, so I'm going to "ad lib" their bios. Thing is, these people are my friends and so I know what I know from over the years.
Station Two/Six - Nolan and Winkler - married to each other, they are both artists. They've been with the Ghost Town since the beginning. They're both avid cyclists. Bill set a new state record by about 10 min. in the NM Senior Olympics a year or so ago. Simply put - this station is theirs.
The Forest Trail spur - I'm pretty sure who will handle the low end of the trail, but it's not "for sure." The top end will be anchored by Tom Myers. Tom hiked up there with waters in '07 and he's once more happy to do the same. Tom is a retired John Deere design engineer. He and his lovely wife, Marge, moved to the area from Iowa. You can read more about Marge on the "Sponsors" page. Tom and Marge built their own plane which he pilots.
Station Three/Five - Maree Westland was here in '07, helped with the Forest Trail Spur in '08, and will most likely be back at this station in '09. Maree is a member of our Hillsboro volunteer fire department and medical response team. She's also the owner of the Enchanted Villa B&B, so a good number of you know her and her wonderful breakfasts!
Station Four - Cave Creek - the turn-around-and-run-toward-the-finish-line-at-last station. Once again this will be manned by my man, Matt. He's always partnered at his station with our ynungest, Gabe, but Gabe has moved on to adventures of his own. (In '08 Gabe was in his first season as a ski lift operator at a resort in CO. He's already talking about going back and eventually instructing others in the fine art of snowboarding.) Matt usually tells people he's my roadie, but he's actually a NM District Judge. We both miss Gabe's muscle during Ghost Town weekend, and when we attempt any landscaping around our place!
Stations 1 and 7 haven't had regular volunteers. In '08 Gary Schancer (a GT alum) from Albuquerque earned his volunteer hours required by the Vermont 100 by working both stations along with members of the Sierra County Sheriff's Posse. It was a great to have someone so experienced and dependable anchoring the first and last stations of the race!
Joan Nashelsky from IA helped me at the finish line in '07 and was here again in '08. She is the efficient lady who took your bib tags before the start and clocked you in at the finish. What you don't know is that both Joan and Donna Bentson (OK) both helped me prepare the finish line food right after the race started. Both women's husbands were out running and we ladies had what I consider a memorable time as we visited while chopping, mixing, and baking. They certainly made my day easier and much more entertaining!
Special thanks go to the Sierra County Sheriff's Posse led by Joe and Laura. He's the cowboy on horseback in some of the photos. Together they rode the course, watching for your safety and carrying communications between the stations. They brought several other members of the Posse in '08, some worked with Gary at 1 and 7, and others handled station 3. My hat's off to the entire group!
This event is sponsored by Here to There, LLC which organizes and promotes walks, treks and runs of varying lengths in beautiful places.
XAIPETE NIKΩMEN (c)2005 Here to There, LLC