A crowd, many in red and black plaid, gathered at Breezy Point Resort's Marina II lakeside restaurant Nov. 9 to celebrate another year of successful partnerships for the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association.
This nonprofit organization is driven by a group of volunteers whose purpose is to promote, protect and preserve this nationally designated 54-mile driving route in northern Crow Wing County and southern Cass County. Byway supporters, members and guests attended the event and included Crow Wing County Commissioner Paul Thiede, Pequot Lakes Mayor Nancy Adams, representatives from the Pine River Chamber and Brainerd Lakes Chamber as well as dozens of residents, organizational representatives and business owners.
Though hundreds of businesses and individuals support the efforts of the association on an annual basis, a special award was presented to Ideal Township residents Dave and Mary Badger for their leadership role over the years at the Veterans Walking Trail and, in 2009, for their creative solution to enhancing the Wetlands Walk along the Veteran's Trail.
A highlight of the evening was the renewal of the association's existing partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The partnership was solidified by the signing of a continuing contract between the Corps and the association, valid for the next 10 years. A commemorative T-shirt featuring "Paul Camps With the Corps," designed by Pequot Lakes artist Braden Palmer, also was unveiled. The Byway Association has plans to sell the shirts at the Corps campgrounds in the future.
Storyteller Mary Schmidt from Pierz offered a comical yet historical look at clothing from Paul Bunyan's time to present. Schmidt has done several "Dressing Paul Bunyan" presentations in the area over the years.
The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association is a 501(c)3 organization that works in conjunction with federal, state and local (county, city and township) governmental agencies and councils, as well as with other local nonprofit organizations, to strengthen the quality of life and visitor experience along the Byway's route by promoting and enhancing the area's resources and amenities that support economic vitality. To make a tax-deductible charitable contribution to the association or to learn more about it's activities and future projects, visit PaulBunyanScenicByway.org or call (218) 543-4714.
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