William Wanta, Sr., from Rosholt, Wisconsin, received national recognition at the International Snowmobile Congress last June in Nashau, New Hampshire. First being honored as Wisconsin's Groomer Operator of the Year, then as the Midwest Chapter recipient of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations award, and now Wanta Sr. has now been named International Snowmobile Groomer Operator of the Year for 2001.
A founding member of the Shanty-Town Snowmobile Club in 1968 gave him the opportunity to plan and lay out the trails that are still being groomed 33 years later. Building his own drags, maintaining the groomers, trail maintenance and overall taking pride in his trail network has gained him and the club recognition for having the best possible trails. His wife Elise has assisted him and is an avid club member and officer. Anyone from the club that is around "Uncle Bill Wanta" takes pride in what they do for the club.
Arctic Cat started the "Groomer Operator of the Year" program six years ago to honor some very hard working and dedicated snowmobile groomers and to recognize these individuals at the Snowmobile Congress each June.
Nominations are received from all of the U.S. snow states as well as the Canadian Provinces. From these, one winner is picked from the three chapters, which North America is divided into, Eastern, Midwest and Western.
William Wanta, Sr. is the second groomer operator to receive this international award. The selection committee was made up of two snowmobile program administrators and three groomer operators. The other nominees were, Dennis Moriarty from the state of Washington and Harold Wilkins from the state of Maine.
In conjunction with the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be what is billed as the Worlds Largest Groomer Demonstration, that is being co-hosted by the Minnesota DNR and the Hall of Fame. The event is being held at the Sugar Hills Recreation area, approximately 10 miles south of Grand Rapids on Highway 169 South. This event is Friday, February 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All of the groomer manufacturers will be on hand to display their machines as well as drag manufacturers and related products.
Wanta will be introduced at a reception following Friday's activities and demonstrations at the host hotel - Rainbow Inn, Best Western, Highway 169, north of Grand Rapids. The groomer reception is being sponsored by Arctic Cat and will be co-hosted by the Hall of Fame. Wanta will again be recognized and honored at the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony Saturday evening.
The induction weekend has many activities planned: A display of antique old sleds by the Antique Snowmobile Club of America and Vintage machines by the Vintage Snowmobile Club of America. A trail ride with the old and newer machines on the many miles of Minnesota snowmobile trails and enjoying the City of Grand Rapids.
This year there will also be a snowmobile ride called "Ride with the Legends," where snowmobilers will be able to ride along with the legends of snowmobiling; Edgar Hetteen, Ralph Plaisted, Larry Koch, and Jerry Bassett. International Snowmobile Hall of Fame's President, Elmer Cone, will lead the Legend ride to a snowmobile destination where they will have time for pictures, visiting and refreshments.
For more information, please contact:
International Snowmobile Hall of Fame
25929 County Road 59
Bovey, MN 55709
218/245-1725
admin@ishof.com
www.ishof.com