WELCOME TO THE IRON DOG BRIGADE
An Honorary Society Dedicated To The Fun Of Snowmobiling
2019 Grand Rapids
2018 Iron Dog Banquet, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Members: Front- Judy King, Nancy Hanson, Gail Hanson, Christine Jourdain-Barker, Joann Smith, Lori Heideman, Sue Smedegard, Bonnie Holbrook, Marlys Knutson. Second: Bob Kirchner, Len Neisler, Dave Newman, Orv Langhor, Dean Meakin, Jeff Schwaller, Duane Sutton, Gary Broderick, Ross Antworth Dale Hickox. Third: Bob Kirchner, Len Neisler, Dave Newman, Orv Langhor, Dean Meakin, Jeff Schwaller, Duane Sutton, Gary Broderick, Ross Antworth, Dale Hickox. Fourth & Fifth: Craig Gamache, Sam Landes, Mark H
2019 Grand Rapids
Grow Your Vision
2024 Distinguished Service Award
On Saturday, June 15, Iron Dog Brigade President Duane Sutton presents the 2024 IDB Distinguished Service Award to Kevin Bielke - Snow Tech Publisher & Editor.
Welcome Class of 2024!
2024 Pups: Mark Hazzard - Illinois, Sam Landes - Wisconsin, Brad Mann - New Brunswick, Dean Meakin - Washington, Jeff Schwaller - Wisconsin, Wayne Vandersteen - Manitoba, Jim Willey - Iowa
HOW TO BECOME AN IRON DOG BRIGADE MEMBER - adopted June 14, 2024
* A current Iron Dog member in good standing must sponsor a person felt worthy to become an Iron Dog.
* All applications for membership shall be in writing and submitted electronically on the proper Iron Dog Brigade application form, and endorsed by an Iron Dog member who will submit the application with supporting materials to the Secretary for proper processing.
* All applications for membership shall be reviewed and confirmed or rejected by the Board of Directors.
* Application is available on the website, starting in the late fall. If there is no membership application online, contact the secretary.
* Completed application must be returned by March 1st to the Iron Dog Secretary, including all supporting materials per the guidelines to become a Dog.
* Guidelines to join the Iron Dog can be found on the first page of the application
* There are four categories a person can apply under: Volunteer Industry Media Administrator
* Use one application per person.
o If a couple is being sponsored, each person needs their own application and if selected will be inducted separately.
* Candidates must have a minimum of 20 years active involvement in snowmobiling to qualify to become an Iron Dog. This involvement should be at multiple levels, i.e., local, county, state.
* Questions that the sponsor should base their applicant’s application on:
o Was the candidate truly active for the minimum of twenty (20) years or were there interruptions?
o How well do you personally know the candidate you are sponsoring?
o How do his/her accomplishments rank with other IDB members?
o Do others share your views?
o Are you reasonably sure the candidate will try to attend the next scheduled induction and remain active in the Iron Dog Brigade?
* The sponsor must submit a letter of support in a written recommendation.
* At least two letters of recommendation from responsible sources must be attached to this completed application. (Candidate’s colleagues preferably or family.)
* The application must be signed by the sponsor and applicant prior to submission.
* The sponsor is responsible for ensuring the application is complete prior to submitting.
o The sponsor must feel comfortable with the accuracy of his/her achievements listed on the application. If not, it is the duty of the sponsor to verify such statements as to their validity.
* Following review of all applicants by the Board of Directors using a rating system of 100 points, a formal notification will be sent to you and your applicant along with a schedule for the induction ceremonies held at the next International Snowmobile Congress in early June of each year
* Once an applicant is selected by the Board of Directors to become an Iron Dog member they are considered “Pups” until the induction ceremony in June.
* The newly elected Pups will follow the information sent to them by the Secretary, including dress code and dues payment.
Congratulations ISHOF Inductees - 2024
Ross Antworth - Trail & Program Developer
Lower Kingsclear, New Brunswick
Dave Newman - Volunteer & Club Organizer
Unity, Wisconsin
Snowmobiling since 1972, Ross began his dedication to the sport as a volunteer. He assisted his local snowmobile club, the Keswick River Trailblazers as their vice president and president. His involvement quickly gained momentum, going from local to the provincial level. In October of 1996 he was elected to the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (NBFSC) Board of Directors as the Zone 4 Director. In 1997, Ross was appointed by the NBFSC as their General Manager and held this position until retiring in 2021. One year prior to becoming GM for the Federation, their fiscal year revenues were less than $350,000.00. Twenty four years later and one year prior to his retirement. Ross presented the board of directors with a year-end audited financial statement of $4.95 million in revenue. The growth was credited to the numerous relationships formed, successful legislative measures and consistent lobbying done provincially and on a federal level over the span of more than two decades, of which Ross played a huge role. In 1997, mandatory personal liability insurance was enacted. In 2000, mandatory trail permits were in place. By 2007, a dedicated government trail enforcement unit for snowmobiles was created and in 2010, liability indemnification was granted to landowners, volunteers, clubs and the NBFSC. In 2013, Ross was approached by the President of the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) to lead the CCSO Board of Directors toward a national strategy for the future. By June of 2014, with Ross at the helm, the Federal Government launched a $10 million National Recreational Trails Program. He was then elected as the Chair of the International Association of Snowmobile Administrators (IASA). He was the first Canadian to hold that office and did so from 2003-2007. Overall he represented New Brunswick at the IASA for 23 years. Ross has received numerous local, national and international awards for his work promoting organized snowmobiling over the course of 24 years. Some of his most notable recognitions include IASA Award of Professional Excellence in 2008, the New Brunswick Tourism Industry Association’s Minister’s Award for Tourism Excellence in 2009, and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal of Honor which was awarded by Canada’s Federal Minister for Employment and Social Development in 2012. Ross was also inducted into the Iron Dog Brigade in 2013 and in 2017 was awarded the Brigade’s Distinguished Service Award. His keen insights and hands on approach have led to the development of major enhancements to the New Brunswick trail system and trail systems internationally. His remarkable achievements and profound impact on the snowmobile community make Ross Antworth an obvious choice for induction into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Class of 2024.
Dave has been involved in snowmobiling since he was 16 years old. Starting out on the family farm riding his 1972 John Deere, he joined his local snowmobile club. Little did he know just how much his involvement would turn out to be not only on a hometown level but also county, state, national and even internationally. Still very young, he was club president for many years, then moving on to the county level he became the Clark County Director for the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC). He was elected Executive Director which eventually took him to AWSC Vice President. Four years after that Dave became President of the AWSC, a position he held for nine consecutive terms, 2014 to 2023. He was the longest running president in AWSC history. He spent endless hours at the state capitol testifying on legislation for funding increases, trail rule changes, GPS trackers in groomers and worked with the DNR on snowmobile safety training. Dave, working with AWSC lobbyists, also testified on issues to protect snowmobilers’ interests in the state budget every year. Perhaps Dave’s most significant legacy as Vice President and President was his tireless pursuit in getting Wisconsin’s Snowmobile Trail Pass legislation passed and implemented. This took many years but resulted in significant increases in club membership as well as more funding for existing trail infrastructure and new miles of trail funding. Dave served two terms on the Governor’s Snowmobile Recreation Council where he was chairperson of the finance committee. He has been in Washington DC numerous times talking with Senators and Representatives on issues that involve snowmobiling on a national level. More of Dave’s attributes are his participation in implementing AWSC VIP Rides, Military Rides, Snowmobile Friendly Community Awards, Clean Snowmobile Challenge, Badger State Torch Ride always promoting safe and responsible snowmobiling. Many years Dave has gone to the International Snowmobile Congress (ISC) to represent AWSC. He was chairperson of the ISC in Green Bay, WI in 2013 and he is a committee member for the ISC in Green Bay in 2024. In 2023, Dave was elected Vice President of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA). His commitment to snowmobiling just doesn’t stop. He still manages to ride 2,500 to 3,000 miles a year. It is this brand of daily dedication to snowmobiling that deservingly places Dave Newman in the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Class of 2024.
Upcoming Events
57th International
Snowmobile Congress
June 11-14, 2025
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Delta Hotel
18 Queen Street, Charlottetown
902-566-2222
Questions? contact Dale Hickox @
902-629-5008
Eastern Iron Dog Ride
February 2nd - February 5th
Town & Country Inn & Resort
20 State Route 2
Gorham, NH
(603) 466-3315
www.townandcountryinnandresort.com
Contact Charlie Kurtz @
603-482-9815 for questions
Direct trail access
Snowmobile rentals available near by
General Amenities
• Queen rooms I Standard room ( 2 double beds)
• Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.
• Conveniences include desks and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.
• Full-service restaurant & bar
• Free internet
• Wheelchair accessible
• Indoor heat pool I sauna I steam room
• Pets allowed
• Arcade - Game room
$114.00 per night
MID-WEST Iron dog Ride
February 5th - February 9th
Spearfish Canyon Lodge
10619 Roughlock Falls Road
Led, SD
605-584-3435
Room Rate $104 + taxes & fees per night per room
more details to come
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
SECRETARY/
TREASURER
PAST PRESIDENT
DIRECTORS
Ross Antworth
4294 Route 102
Lower Kingsclear,
New Brunswick E3E 1L3 CANADA
(cell) 506-447-1112
Marie Hixson
1332 Winona Road
New Hampton, NH 03256
603-968-9038
(cell) 603-481-2906