News

(Please note the deadline has since past.)

The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc.'s Nomination Committee appointed by the Board of Directors has nominated the following individuals to be included on the ballot for election to the Board of Directors for a three-year term (2018 to 2020):

Angela Miller, lives in Fayetteville, AR. Worked from 2006 to 2010 as an Interpreter (summer and winter), Chief Interpreter and Canadian Programs Director. She currently own and operate my own photography business specializing in families and weddings.

Karl Huemiller, lives in Minneapolis, MN. Worked from 2004 to 2008 as an Interpreter (summer and winter). Karl currently works for Three Rivers Park District.

Brian Lux, lives in Oklahoma City, OK. Worked as an OA Foreman in 2001.

Don Lee, lives in Linoir City, TN. Don Lee worked from 2008 - 2011 as chief outfitter. 

Membership may nominate Active Members to include on the ballot for the election to the Board of Directors. Send the nominee name along with a biographical resume and 10 supporting signatures from Active Members by September 15th to (deadline has past).

Additional Nominations. After publication to the active membership of the Nominating Committee’s recommendations, the membership may have thirty days to submit additional nominations for inclusion on the ballot provided that these nominations are: (1) made in writing, (2) accompanied by a biographical resume, and (3) are supported by signatures of at least 10 active members of the Association. The thirty days to submit additional nominations must conclude by September 15. Additional nominations must be received by the President. Any additional nominee meeting the requirements of this section will be included on the ballot with those nominated by the Nominating Committee.

The spring edition of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association's Reflections newsletter is here!

Read the Reflection newsletter now »

In this issue:

• Interpreter receives Navy heroism award
  
• From the President’s canoe
  
• 2017 Officers and Board of Directors
  
• Work week: May 26 - June 9, 2017
  
• Jack and Mary Osborn endowed scholarship
  
• “The Root Beer Lady, the musical”
  
• Crossing Portages
  

Alumni Work Week is May 26th through June 9th. This is your chance for some sweat equity and camaraderie with your fellow alumni members and current staff, and also benefit Northern Tier programs and facilities. Volunteers must be members of the alumni association and approved by the volunteer coordinator before arrival.

We can use help for a day or a week, so come as early and stay as late as you can! Meals and accommodations on the base will be provided at no cost. The work will involve a variety of projects on the Base, including some work on the Welcome Cabin and bunkhouses.

You will have the added opportunity to participate in training week activities and Seminar Day. Seminar Day on June 9th is sponsored and staffed by fellow alumni to provide additional education for trail staff in outdoor and guiding skills. If you have an area of expertise you are willing to share, please contact us. A volunteer alumni dinner is also planned on June 8th.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TO VOLUNTEER TODAY!

Canoecopia is the world's largest paddle sports exposition, and the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. (SAA) will once again be staffing the Northern Tier booth! 

Please consider helping us out by volunteering to work for a few hours during the weekend event March 10-12, 2017 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison Wisconsin. Volunteers must be members of the alumni association. 

There will also be a dinner on Saturday, March 11th in Madison, Wisconsin for alumni of Northern Tier. Local alumni of Philmont Scout Ranch and Florida Sea Base are also welcome. 

REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER OR ATTEND THE DINNER TODAY!

Exposition hours are: 4-9 pm on Friday, March 10th, 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday, March 11, and 10 am to 5 pm March 12th. We'll schedule at least two volunteers at the booth at all times. Volunteers will be provided “talking points” for prospective participants. 

You'll also have plenty of opportunity to attend numerous educational seminars as well as see the latest canoeing and camping gear from over 200 vendors.

Congratulations to Blake Edwards, Cory Kolodji, Eric Peterson, and Don Richard on their election to the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association Board of Directors. 

Hol-Ry!

Register now! Registration closes after Monday, August 1st for both the Reunion Rendezvous and Banquet.  Due to catering requirements, only a limited number of walk-in seats will be available. 

• Reunion Rendezvous registration
• Banquet registration (Does not include other reunion activities.) 
  

We’re excited to see you “Up North” again at the Chalres L. Sommers Alumni Association’s Reunion “Rendezvous” this August at Northern Tier’s Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base!

This year brings new and exciting changes for the Rendezvous and Charles L. Sommers! The Biennial Banquet is being moved to Amici's Event Center and will feature food from Ely’s Insula Restaurant.

Further, you’ll want to come back to The Lodge as it reaches its final capstone. After many years of members volunteering their time to renovate the building, the hope is the installation of comprehensive interpretive exhibits will be complete by the reunion.

Register online at http://reunion.holry.org. The deadline to register is Monday, August 1st.

Red-Eye!

May 26th through June 7th, this is your chance for some sweat equity and camaraderie with your fellow alumni members and current staff, and also benefit Northern Tier programs and facilities. We can use help for a day or a week, so come as early and stay as late as you can! Meals and accommodations on the base will be provided at no cost. The work will involve a variety of projects on the Base, including some work on the Welcome Cabin and bunkhouses.

Learn more and register at http://portal.holry.org/event-2114855

The names of the SAA’s Seasonal Staff Scholarship Program recipients for 2015 were announced by Owen Gibbs. Requirements for the scholarships: complete two years on staff having fulfilled their terms of employment, enrolled as a student in good academic standing at an accredited post-secondary institution, and receive the recommendations of management at Northern Tier.

The scholarship recipients are: Brenden Carr (Butch Diesslin), Travis Gibson (Friends of Tinnerman / Tinnerman Guide Association), Raymond Hill, Erik Keeler, Christopher Kolischak, Christopher Martin, John McKinney, Mathew Meyer (Christopher D. Breen Memorial), Jeremy Neufield, Derek Richard, Isaak Ridge (Clifford J. Hanson Memorial), Katherine Rose (Erickson Memorial), Daniel Smith (Terry J. Wall Charles Sommers), and Tressa Theis (David Hyink).

Congratulations to all recipients and we look forward to your return to Northern Tier as staff and as alumni members of the association!

Check out the entries for this year's SAA staff photo contest on Facebook.

These outstanding photographs consist of fifty-four photographs submitted by nineteen 2015 Northern Tier High Adventure staff.

• “Mesaba lake” by Robert Dunne (Award of Excellence)
  
• “Reflection” by Charles Yates (Award of Merit)
  
• “Conquering Heartbreak” by John Young (Award of Merit)
  

Judging was done by Steve Niedorf, professional photographer. Steve gave an insight into how photographs are judged in the Winter 2013/2014 issue of Reflections that can be found at http://www.holry.org/

Thanks to all who took time to submit their photos for this year’s contest.

Work Week: May 28 – June 5 Contact Dick Shank in advance to arrange to participate in Work Week. Register your interest at http://portal.holry.org/event-2114855 Be a member in good standing of the SAA. Join online at http://www.holry.org/membership.php  Early sign-up is strongly encouraged to assist Northern Tier and your fellow alumni with planning.

May 28 through June 5th, this is your chance for some sweat equity and camaraderie with your fellow alumni members and current staff, and also benefit Northern Tier programs and facilities. We can use help for a day or a week, so come as early and stay as late as you can! Meals and accommodations on the base will be provided at no cost. The work will involve a variety of projects on the Base, including some work on the Welcome Cabin and bunkhouses.

You will have the added opportunity to participate in training week activities and Seminar Day on June 4. Seminar Day is sponsored and staffed by fellow alumni to provide additional education for trail staff in outdoor and guiding skills. If you have an area of expertise you are willing to share, please contact us. A volunteer alumni dinner is planned for June 3.

You also have the option of heading out on the trail after a few days work (advance arrangements with Northern Tier are required if using base equipment or leaving from the NT landing).

Register your interest at http://portal.holry.org/event-2114855

We hope to hear from you! For more information and to arrange to participate contact Dick Shank.