CATHERINE DICKSON, Volunteer, was first introduced to snowmobiling in 1964, with a purchase of a Ski-Daddler. Neighbors later were invited to try out the sled on weekends on their fields and wooded roads. Gradually they purchased their own sleds and expanded riding to evenings as well as weekends. The farm became the gathering point.

In 1971, she invited the snowmobile community over for the purpose of forming a club, the New Hampshire Sno-Shakers. The first meeting 70 snowmobilers from 18 towns came, the second meeting had 100 members from 27 towns. Later, she gave the club a 20 year lease at $1.00 to build a 40'x60' clubhouse and started a "Log Drive" to finance it with contributors' names engraved on a name plate to be put on the logs with volunteered labor.

In 1972, the clubs joined hands and the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association was formed and she was elected Director representing Merrimack County. She helped form 10 new clubs within the county and was named Secretary to NHSA upon resignation of the Secretary before completion of her term. She was the first woman to be elected president of a state snowmobile association in 1973 and served two terms. NHSA grew from 85 to 115 clubs during her tenure.

Catherine was Editor of NHSA Sno- Traveler from 1973-75, and received the ISIA Journalism Award in 1975, 1976, and 1977, and won honors as the "Best Publication."

In New Hampshire she is known as the "Snowmobile Lady." Catherine was instrumental on founding the ISC Northeast Chapter, served on the Governor's Trail Committee for 6 years, Board of Directors of the NH Easter Seal Society for 6 years, helped found and served as part of the Board of Directors of NH Tourist Council for 10 years, she started being a Snowmobile Safety Instructor in 1977, and is currently instructing, attended every ISC since 1974, and represented snowmobilers on numerous talk shows, TV programs and forums.

She became a member of the Iron Dog Brigade in 1979, served that organization as vice president in 1986, and was a two term president in 1987-1988. At the International Snowmobile Congress in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on June 7, 1991. Mrs. Dickson was presented with the first George Elsenhuth Award for Distinguished Service to Snowmobiling. She continues to serve the Iron Dog Brigade as a director.

Upon retirement, Catherine and Dick (husband), operated the "Wander Inn Four Seasons" in Pittsburgh, NH. Catering to snowmobilers, it developed from a 3 resort area to a 15 resort area remaining open all year, contributing an average of $3,000 a year for trail maintenance.

CARL ELIASON, Inventor, is one of the great innovators in snowmobiling, completing the initial snow vehicle in the back of his general store. He found that his experience as a dealer of our modern outboard motors proved extremely useful.

In 1924, at 24 years of age, he made his first trial run of the prototype Motor Toboggan in the woods around Sayner, Wisconsin. Carl applied for the patent of his design on November 22, 1927, after years of experimentation. He was later issued patent number 1,650,334.

Eliason's machine was basically a long wooden sled with the rear two-thirds cut out to house a track system made of dual chains connected by wooden lugs. The forward-mounted engine was a 2 1/2 horsepower outboard motor, cooled by one quarter of a radiator from a Model T Ford, with ski-like front runners.

Two important factors derived from Eliason's introduction of his machine. First, a self-propelled snow vehicle could be designed and built, and second, the basic engineering of his machine was the most practical.

He built as many as 50 Motor Toboggans to order in his spare time in Sayner from 1924 until 1940. However, no three may have been exactly identical.

Upon receiving a proposed order of 150 sleds from Finland, he sold his patent to Four Wheel Drive Company of Clintonville, Wisconsin, with Carl as prime consultant. Although the Finnish deal fell through, the U.S. Army purchased 150 all white Eliason/FWD Motor Toboggans for the possible defense of Alaska.

Four different models are documented as having been built at Clintonville, the Models, F, B, C, and D, with total production of about 300 from 1941 to 1947.

The Model D sleds were transferred to the Kitchener FWD Plant in Kitchener, Ontario to be closer to the current customer market. In 1950, the K-b model was introduced. It was smaller and had a rear mounted engine. And in 1953, the K-12 appeared with a 81/4 horse powered engine, which was the last of the Eliason Motor Toboggan in production. The Eliason/FWD effort was carried on until 1963 when FWD sold its parts and rights to the Carter Brother of Waterloo, Ontario. After one year they ceased Eliason production.

You can see some of Eliason's sleds on display at Vilas County Historical Museum during the summer months. In the winter months, his first sled is displayed at Carl Eliason & Company both in Sayner, Wisconsin.

HOWARD POTTER, Volunteer, began snowmobiling on his own home-made machine in Idaho in the 1950's, and has remained an enthusiastic snowmobiler to this day. His contribution to the sport extends far beyond his responsibility with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Howard assisted in the planning and establishment of the International Snowmobile Congress in 1968, participated in the first Congress in Albany, New York in 1969, and on all but one of the subsequent sixteen Congresses, and served on the original Board of Directors for the Congress, becoming President of the Board in 1972.

He played an instrumental role in the development of the International Snowmobile Council.

Howard initiated and supervised the preparation and the publication of vital social and economic surveys the three state Snowmobiler Economic Commission. This four volume survey is one of the most comprehensive and useful studies ever conducted on the sport. It has become a basic resource tool not only for the states of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, but for snowmobilers and administrators throughout the snowbelt. Through his office he made possible the printing of the SSCC resource book, Trails: A Strategy for Snowmobile Fun and Safety.

He ensured the inclusion of snowmobiling in the Nationwide Outdoor Recreation Plan prepared by the United States Department of the Interior.

Howard served as the first president of the Snowmobilers Association of Minnesota, Inc., and helped form the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association, today one of North America's strongest state associations.

He received the International Snowmobile Industry Association's International Award of Merit in 1976, and Snowmobile Magazine's Most Valuable Snowmobiler Award in 1984.

Howard promoted the continued expansion of snowmobiling, through publication of brochures, written correspondence and personal appearances speaking on its behalf at gatherings throughout the North America snowbelt. He has probably served as a featured speaker at more conventions than the rest of us put together, from British Columbia to Maine - and almost every point in-between - has made him a legend.

He supported the sport as a member of local, regional and state snowmobile organizations in Wisconsin and as a member of the Tri-State Recreational Corridor Task Force.

He is now laying the groundwork for implementation of an East-West International Snowmobile Trail System.