I Met 'Em On the Trail: Get To Know Our Executive Director Kathleen Wagner

Kathleen Wagner joined the BTC in July as our Executive Director. Kathleen is a native of Colorado, but has lived also in Missouri and Nebraska. She is most at home now in Dillon, Montana. Her background is a mixture of teaching, music, and the outdoors! She enjoys hiking, fly-fishing, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and pretty much anything that involves being in the outdoors! Her husband is an avid fly fisherman, but loves running, mountain and road biking, climbing, hiking as well, and their two daughters are growing up loving the outdoors as well. Besides loving the outdoors and remaining constantly active in it, Kathleen also has a passion for music and teaching. She has taught general music in the public education system, as well as private lessons of voice and piano in her home studio for ages 5 to 65.

Her background in teaching, fundraising, and working with people in various ages and stages has shaped her to become a versed educator and manager in all areas, indoors and out! Kathleen is excited to help the BTC grow as a group, as well as grow the trail system in Dillon, MT. You can often find her hiking around the Dillon Overlook Trail system, or in town, working on in-town programs, taking their daughters to dance and gymnastics, dining out at local eateries and coffee shops, and always checking on future ideas. She is looking forward to hearing more of the public opinions and thoughts on Nov. 30th at the BTC public input meeting. This will be held at UM Western, 5:30 pm. Please join! Kathleen is glad to be meeting more of the people of Dillon, and her door is always open to new conversation, so feel free to contact her!

I met 'em on the trail: Pete and Laura Wakeman

A lot of content that you may see at our BTC website is obviously focused on trails, recreational programs, and events around town. However, we'd like to stop every now and again to speak to the folks both involved with the organization as well as people who utilize these resources. Thanks to Pete and Laura for sharing about their time in Dillon and for a wonderful evening walk. If you would like to share your story please contact us, we'd love to hear from you.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in Dillon

We’ve lived in Dillon over 30 years, more than half our life – we are both in our sixties. We moved here originally from Great Falls right after we sold our bakery there, the Great Harvest Bread Company. We were the original founders of Great Harvest, which is a national franchise now, with the franchising offices still based in Dillon. We sold the company in 2001, and are no longer involved except as friends.

How do you recreate around town and Beaverhead County?

We hike, cross-country ski, and camp. We get out for at least a short walk or hike almost every day. For longer trips we used to love backpacking, but now we’ve simplified down to a truck camper on a good pickup, and we mostly dayhike.

Why are trails and open space important to you?

That’s the whole reason we live here. That, and our friends of course, who all of them outdoorsy like us.

Why did you become a member of BTC?

The BTC has lots of worthwhile projects, but we care especially about the High Trails effort – helping to raise money to buy the Town Hills trail system right behind town. It’s privately owned now, but deserves to be developed into a community hiking area similar to what they have in Bozeman, Helena or Missoula.

How do you envision trails and recreational opportunities changing in Dillon in the future?

(Pete): We’ve lived here a long time, and I’ve never seen the enthusiasm around a community trail system that there is right now. It’s hard to imagine the momentum won’t pick up and get even stronger, over time. The hiking is already wonderful in the mountains out around Dillon, obviously. But super close to town, for everyday walks by residents and visitors, just getting some exercise, taking the dog out, we need legal access, maps, signage, trail work – we need to make it easy for people. There isn’t much public land close to town, so this is going to take work. There’s no shortage of good projects! I really believe though that 10 years from now, Dillon will have a community trail system that’s the envy of any town its size. It’s fun to be working with the BTC, there’s a great spirit going on right now.

Open Floor-Anything at all that you'd like to share?

We literally drive over to the little parking lot, park by the trailhead sign, and hike up the Town Overlook trail 3-4 times/week, year-round, any weather. It’s the only place that close to town for a good, short, steep everyday hike to a beautiful view. That little trail system is very important to us, just personally.

I met 'em on the trail: Cheyanne Sparks

A lot of content that you may see at our BTC website is obviously focused on trails, recreational programs, and events around town. However, we'd like to stop every now and again to speak to the folks both involved with the organization as well as people who utilize these resources. Thanks to Cheyanne Sparks for sharing about her time with the Dillon Walking School Bus. If you would like to share your story please contact us, we'd love to hear from you.

 Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I began calling Dillon home in the fall of 2004 when I became a student at the University of Montana Western (UMW). After graduating in 2007 from UMW with a Business Administration degree, I moved to Omaha, NE in pursuit of a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at the College of St. Mary. Following this we returned back to Beaverhead County in 2009 and have been here since. In 2011-2012 I changed gears serving our community as an Americorps member.  In the summer of 2012 I got married to my husband Brandon Sparks, an elementary education major at UMW graduating this May 2015. Shortly after in September of 2012, I opened Spark into Motion Wellness Center and began coordinating the Walking School Bus program. I enjoy taking time to help our community grow, it feels good to be a vested community member.

How did you get involved with the Walking School Bus program?

In 2011, as a team leader, for all of the Americorps volunteers at UMW, I helped organize the volunteers and participated in a variety of service projects around Dillon.  The Walking School Bus (WSB) was one of the programs that I became involved in. It was started the previous year by a fellow UMW Americorps member. I really felt like I became a member of the community during my year of service. My time in Americorps ended, but through additional grant funding I was able to become the coordinator for the WSB. I have currently held this position since the Fall of 2012.

Dillon Walking School Bus Coordinator Cheyanne Sparks walking to school with WSB Route #1 paricipants.

Any updates on the spring WSB season?

This spring we are introducing Celebrity Fridays for both WSB Routes. These are local people that are visible in the community and we hope will be role models for the kids and make the walk to school fun. We are still confirming some of the dates, but most of the schedule is set. The season started on March 20th being led by the local schools’ mascots. Other local people that have walked with us and/or are planning on to are Dillon Police, Beaverhead County Sheriff officers, Emergency Medical Services volunteers, Barrett Hospital doctors and staff, US Forest Service staff and Smokey the Bear, Youth Connections Mentors, UMW Athletes, and local bank and business leaders. So, all in all, a lot of different groups.

Our volunteer staff is increasing. We have at least five more volunteers than we’ve had in previous seasons. Our youngest volunteer is still our son Archer, who has been walking with students on their way to school for his second year. Student participation is also up. We expect that as other kids see us walking to school and the weather becomes a little warmer we will have a steady increase in participation through the end of the school year.

Dillon WSB Route #1 making their way to school.

What’s your favorite thing about the WSB?

I like teaching kids. It’s great to talk to them about the importance of walking. Through the program we hope the kids feel comfortable making the choice to walk to school. I’ve heard that some kids beg their parents to walk to school rather than just being dropped off. A couple of kids who live out of town get dropped off along the WSB route and then continue with the group on the walk to school.

Dillon Walking School Bus Coordinator Cheyanne Sparks and son Archer completing another morning trip to school.

What’s your goal for the Dillon Walking School Bus/where would you like to see it go?

I would love to see the program walk Monday through Friday. The current volunteers uphold a consistent walking schedule of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We are limited seasonally to the fall and spring by safety concerns of walking to school when it is light out.

I want to emphasize that while my title may be Coordinator, this program truly runs by all of the work from our volunteers. They are an extremely dedicated group that keeps the program going. Also we have great parents that are willing to get their kids involved and get their kids up in time to walk. It’s really a community effort. Thanks to all of those involved.

Open floor-Is there anything at all that you’d like to say?

 It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to step down as the WSB coordinator effective the end of June 2015, but the program WILL continue with the support of volunteers and various community members. It is my passion is to help kids and adults develop and adapt to their environments so they can thrive to their utmost abilities. In January of 2014 we brought into this world a son that is truly remarkable and one of a kind unique, he requires much more assistance than a typical child and I am turning pages of the past to become fully present within parenthood and raising my child. This community is one that uplifts and supports all members an event will be held for our son on May 1st follow on Facebook @ Archer’s Journey or my blog www.sparkintomotionllc.com. I want to thank each and every child, parent, community member, and volunteer. I have faith that this program is embedding in the community and it is here to stay!   

Dillon Walking School Bus Route #1 completing morning walk to school.

I met 'em on the trail: Chris Carparelli

A lot of content that you may see at our BTC website is obviously focused on trails, recreational programs, and events around town. However, we'd like to stop every now and again to speak to the folks both involved with the organization as well as people who utilize these resources. Thanks to Chris for volunteering to be our first trail user profile. If you would like to share your story please contact us, we'd love to hear from you.

Chris Carparelli takes a break with his dog Jibz while hiking to the Dillon Town Overlook.

Who are you? Tell us a little about yourself.

Howdy! I'm Chris Carparelli. I'm a native of Colorado. Last May I finished my Master's degree in Natural Resources Science at the University of Nebraska. I've got family that farm and ranch in North Dakota and I hold deep affection for that way of life. It's great to be here in a place that has both the Rocky Mountains and a rich ranching heritage.

Why are you in Dillon?

I'm an AmeriCorps member with the Big Sky Watershed Corps. This program places recent graduates with water resources backgrounds with host sites around Montana. My host site is the Beaverhead Watershed Committee and I was brought here to work on the National Drought Resilience Partnership. I feel incredibly blessed to have been placed in Dillon. I've found it to be a tight-knit and welcoming community full of hard working and caring people.

How do you recreate around town?

Exercise and socialize. I like to go walking/running with my dog, Jibz. I usually go up to the "W" or out to Birch Creek. I work out at the YMCA. My friend runs the Spark Into Motion yoga studio so I checked that out for the first time the other day. My roommates and I went to the gun range west of town one Friday afternoon and I hope to get over there some more. Maverick Mountain has quickly become my favorite ski hill of all time. I'll start fishing here in March when the new season starts. And of course after any outdoor activity a guy's gotta wet his whistle at the brewery.

Why are trails and open space important to you?

Well my dog gets ornery if he doesn't get out enough. So it's important to have a place to take him. Besides that, it's just good for the mind, body, and soul to get outside. I can quiet my mind or I can think deeply. I can explore and feel the sunshine and the wind on my skin. I can get my blood pumping (especially walking up to the "W"). And looking out at the landscape gives me a sense of peace and gratitude.  

What is your vision for recreation/pedestrian travel for Dillon in the future? And/or What is the number one thing that you’d like to see Beaverhead Trails Coalition do in the future?

I really like riparian trails and scenic overlooks. Connectivity is handy, especially when that allows you to be able to walk from town to a trailhead without having to go too far. I think BTC has done a good job of working to incorporate these elements into the trails around here.

Open floor-anything that you’d like to say/share?

"Big city turn me loose and set me free-Somewhere in the middle of Montana"

Chris Carparelli and his dog Jibz hiking along the Dillon Town Overlook Trail