Dee Ann Kline Parkinson
Every year, the Olympia Branch holds a banquet to celebrate committed leaders, volunteers, accomplishments, and actions that made a difference in the community. For 2020, the banquet was reimagined as a "zoomquet" so the celebrations could continue.
"Zoomquet" preparations were spearheaded by Olympia Social Chairs Maxine Dunkelman and Virginia Haas. The event featured a powerpoint presentation on activities and coronavirus-safe hybrid courses that took place during the year. Trivia and chapter awards were spread throughout the presentation. The evening culminated with the presentation of the Branch Service Award.
AWARDS
OLYMPIA BRANCH SERVICE AWARD: RICHARD IRWIN
This award is presented to a member of the Olympia Branch who consistently serves the branch above and beyond the call of duty. Richard Irwin was presented with the 2020 Olympia Branch Service Award. His nominator described him as "a low profile person...but has been an integral part of our Basic and Intermediate Climbing Course for over 20 years."
Richard has been a member of The Mountaineers since 1996. He earned Super Volunteer status in four of the last five years. He is a skilled climber and active in every season. He was Basic Climbing Chair from 2006-2008, Chairman of Intermediate Climbing from 2010-2020, and served on several branch committees. Other contributions include: Intermediate Climbing Rock Module Leader, Basic Climbing Instructor, and Leader of Alpine Scrambling Seminars for leaders.
HIKE LEADER OF THE YEAR: STEVE PAYNE
Steve Payne has been has been a member of The Mountaineers since 2006. In that time he has been an active Hike Leader, Super Volunteer, Key Leader, past Branch Officer, Committee Chair (Seattle), and leader for the Conditioning Hiking Series. He led 13 Mountaineers hikes between June and October 2020.
FRANK MARANVILLE MEMORIAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD: EILEEN HAYDU AND SKIP WIRTZ
This married duo received the most prestigious Conservation Award given by the branch. It is presented for long-term service to our public lands and our environment. They are both Crosscut Saw Leaders and graduates of the Dolly Chapman Crosscut Saw Training Course. Skip is the branch saw sharpening specialist and saw practice coordinator. Eileen is a Super Volunteer, branch saw sharpening resource, Stewardship and Trail Crew Leader, and she received the 2019 Conservation Crew Leader Award.
OUTSTANDING YOUTH VOLUNTEER: CAROL FROELICH
Carol is a family Hike leader who organizes fun events and activities for families. She volunteered for an entire week at with the Mountaineers 2020 Summer Camp programs. She has been recognized as a Super Volunteer for two of the last three years. She is also a Backpack and Hiking Leader.
OUTSTANDING NEW YOUTH PROGRAM VOLUNTEER: WILL STADLER
Will joined the Mountaineers in 2019 and has already distinguished himself with his contributions to our youth programs. He helped with the Youth Outreach outings and spent a week volunteering with The Mountaineers summer camp. Will is a Basic Alpine Climbing Student and graduated from the 2020 Navigation Course.
BADGES, PINS, and special recognitions
PAUL WISEMAN MEMORIAL BENCH PEAKS BADGE: DOUG HANSEN
This badge is earned by climbing a collection of Olympic peaks that can be seen from the Paul Wiseman Memorial Bench located at the Swantown public boat launch. Doug started working on the badge in July 2019 and finished with Mount Mystery this summer (pictured above on the summit)
MT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK 100 PEAKS MEDALLION: GARY HUDSON
This summer, Gary summited his 100th peak, Old Desolate and enjoyed a Dairy Queen frozen Blizzard (carried to the summer on dry ice). He admits to taking a few years to finish all 100 peaks and credits fellow climber Dean Taylor for encouraging and supporting him in getting to this milestone.
Stewardship Honors
Course Graduates
After COVID-19 forced changes to the course structure of many programs in 2020, several committees developed hybrid models of instruction and graduated students from their courses. Congratulations to the course chairs, committee members, instructors and students.
essentials of backpacking
outdoor leadership
Basic Navigation
conservation & Stewardship
