international snowmobile hall of fame 2001 inductee profiles

The weekend of February 23, 2001, the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF) will be holding its twelfth induction ceremony.

Inductees are:
Dick and Anne Melick
John and Rita Ham
John M. Mitchel
Richard and Audrey Decker

Induction ceremonies and banquet will take place at the Rainbow Inn, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, February 24, 2001. In addition to the banquet and ceremony, the weekend will be filled with snowmobile related activities.

For more information, please contact:
International Snowmobile Hall of Fame
25929 County Road 59
Bovey, MN. 55709
Phone: 218/245-1725
Fax: 218/245-2100
www.ishof.com
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Richard "Dick" and Anne Melick, Volunteers from Cedar Falls, Iowa began snowmobiling in 1969 with a used Starcraft snowmobile. Since then they have been consistent dedicated volunteers for 30 years.

Dick and Anne have both held multiple terms in office for "Sno Hawks Snowmobile Club of Cedar Falls." They help in clearing and marking trails, and removing and storing the trail signs. Dick is an emergency team captain and both have ridden on emergency runs, saving stranded motorists, delivering vital goods, and helping in medical emergencies.

Dick was the spokesperson for the Five Star Trails System representing three local club on trail issues. Dick spent hours helping the City of Waterloo develop a new snowmobile ordinance when problems would arise. Together, they have certified over 1000 young snowmobilers since they became certified instructors in 1976.

In 1974, when the Iowa State Snowmobile Association (ISSA) was formed, they joined the association and have maintained constant active membership to the present. Since 1980, both have held offices in ISSA such as Assistant Regions Director, and Region Director for Region 4. Dick has served as President, and Vice-President and has been Membership Chairman for nine years, with Anne helping him with mailing membership cards and other information. Anne has been Charity Chairperson since 1995. They Co-chaired four ISSA Annual Conventions and Snow Shows and have only missed two conventions since they joined ISSA.

They first attended the International Snowmobile Congress in Rapid City, South Dakota in 1985 and have not missed a congress since. Anne is a member of the ISC education committee. Dick served two years as Director of ISC. He is currently the Operating Procedures and By-Law committee chair. He also is a member of the Iron Dogs and maintains their By-Laws.

Anne and Dick received the United States Snowmobile Family of the Year, the ISC's Snowmobile Family of the Year, Iowa's Governors Award for Volunteers, Anne received Director of the Year from ISSA, Dick received Midwest Chapter Association of the Year, also Anne received recognition from the Spina Bifida Association of Iowa for her charity work.
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John and Rita Ham, Publisher and Journalists, from Snowmass Colorado have been involved with snowmobiling for the last twenty years. John and Rita have been invaluable in their publish of the Colorado Snowmobile Association Newspaper the "Snow Scoop" for the past 11 years. They both have helped get the word out to all the snowmobilers in Colorado on important issues. One major effort was several years ago, the Colorado Legislature was about to vote our registration program out of business. The Snow Scoop came out swinging with editorial support and promoted many articles that helped us win the battle with their correct, complete, and concise information.

John and Rita also have had a long history with the Aspen Snowmobile Club where they have held many elected offices. They have assisted in trail development, and search and rescues.

In addition to publishing, they have run the Western Chapter of the International Snowmobile Council annual Belt Buckle Program. This program has raised thousands of dollars for the Western Chapter's scholarship program since its inception.

They attend the International Snowmobile Council in Rapid City, South Dakota to learn how to set up club/association membership on the computer. They brought back the information and the two of them became the Membership Committee of Colorado Snowmobile Association for many years.

They are very active in the International Snowmobile Media Council. John has been Chairman and Co-Chairman. He helped form the computer bulletin board for media to share information. He gave presentations on the internet, and electronic publishing.
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John M. Mitchell, Volunteer and Club Organizer, from Sheridan, Wyoming, took his first snowmobile ride in 1966. After his military service, he joined the Big Horn Mountain Snomads and in 1978 he became their President. Throughout these years he has been involved with drag racing, oval racing, attending the state association fun days, and director of the Hill Climb committee. John has helped raise funds through snowmobiling for scholarships, National Snowmobile Foundation, charitable organizations, and the Iditarod Snowmobile Friendship Ride.

In 1980, John volunteered to become editor for what was to become the Wyoming's Snowmobile Newsline. During his four years as editor, he served as Vice-President and President of the Wyoming State Snowmobile Association and attended his first International Snowmobile Congress at Denver, Colorado in 1982.

Since 1984, John has helped in legislative issues, and becoming the state association's Legislative Chairman in 1992. During this time, he helped get a gas tax passed, and the state trails program became self-sufficient.

Elected to the position in 1985 of Chairman of the Western Chapter ISC. Served on the Editorial Board for the newly-formed Blue Ribbon Coalition and has been and continues to be a member of the organization since its conception. Moving on to a position as Co-Chair of the International Snowmobile Congress in 1988, served on the Advisory Board to the newly formed National Snowmobile Foundation and then a member of their board. He was inducted in to the Iron Dog Brigade in 1988 and currently serves on their Board.

John has received many awards during his 28 volunteering years; Outstanding Snowmobiler Award, Most Valuable Snowmobiler, Award of Excellence in Snowmobiling, and the George Eisunhuth Distinguished Service Award.
The organizations he has been involved in from local to international include some of the following: Big Horn Mountain Snomads, Wyoming State Snowmobile Association, International Snowmobile Congress, Western Chapter, ISC Council, Thirsty Dogs, Blue Ribbon Coalition, International Snowmobile Council, National Snowmobile Foundation, Iron Dog Brigade and American Council of Snowmobile Associations.
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Richard "Dick" and Audrey Decker, Promotors, from Eagle River, Wisconsin started snowmobiling with a 1964 Ski Doo. Since then they have been active in snowmobiling in racing, owning a snowmobile dealership, starting "Team Oasis" (which turned into the Ambassadors of Snowmobiling), and becoming active members of the Iron Dog Brigade.

Richard has served as President of the United States Snowmobile Association and the first Vice-President of the World Snowmobile Federation. He was voted "Iron Dog Snowmobiler of the Year" in 1993 and one of the "25 Who Made a Difference in Snowmobiling." Audrey helped to start the first Women on Snow in Eagle River. They were dubbed "The Original Ambassadors of Snowmobiling" in 1989 by Snowmobile Magazine. Also, they currently belong to two Michigan, one Wisconsin, and one Canadian Snowmobile Club.

Richard and Audrey brought a new level of expertise to the tourism industry and helped spread the "family fun" concept of snowmobiling internationally. They embarked on creating a selection of tours that appealed to veteran and novice snowmobilers as well as those who weren't even sure what a snowmobile was. They expanded the boundaries of snowmobiling beyond the North America to include Europe, Iceland, Lapland, and the former Soviet Union.

In 1981, Richard led the Ambassadors of Snowmobiling from St. Paul, MN to Valcourt, QC, carrying a flag from President Ronald Reagan to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

The Eagle River Derby track, bought by Richard and Audrey in 1985, turned into the "Indianapolis" of the snowbelt with prestigious world championship snowmobiling racing. They invested in the sport's future to create a unique venue for snowmobile events that goes beyond racing.