SHELLEY LUTZ
CLARENDON-Shelley Lutz, a resident of Clarendon, received the
coveted Theresa S, Brungardt "Friend" Award at the recent Vermont
Governor's Conference on Recreation at Lake Morey Resort. This
conference, hosted by the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association,
was the 69th Annual event.
Lutz was recognized for her long-term commitment to health and
fitness in Rutland County. She has been an active member of the
Killington Pico Cycling Club (KPCC) since 1993 where she has taken
on numerous responsibilities such as the newsletter, treasurer,
securing benefits for members and promoting community involvement
with the Rutland Recreation & Kiwanis Bike Rodeo. KPCC members
fix bikes, fit helmets and help with the skills course for this
annual event. Lutz has taken the time to build the skills of new
riders and many members of the KPCC are still involved due to her
dedication to the organization.
Lutz has volunteered with the Catamount Trail Association for
over 15 years as a leader and trail builder. She helped with the
transformation of Pine Hill Park. She, along with Tim Vile and
Michael Smith started a 501 c(3) Friends group called Pine Hill
Partnership, that maintains the Pine Hill Park trails. The
Partnership has also secured permission from landowners to connect
Pine Hill Park with the town of Proctor through single-track
trails.
Lutz has also been one of the lead coaches for the Rutland
Recreation youth mountain bike club since it started in 2010. As
the beginner coach she blends fun with learning new skills and is
building lifetime cyclists. She also developed the successful
Rutland Recreation women's mountain bike clinics in 2011 which
continued in 2012. She is now an assistant coach with the RRD High
School mountain bike team. Shelley was inducted into the Castleton
College Athletic Hall of Fame recognizing her athletic achievements
while a student at Castleton in the 1970's. She has continued to
make wellness a priority for herself and has brought that to our
community through her selfless dedication to trails and the youth
of the area.
GMRCC
RUTLAND-Green Mountain Rock Climbing Center received the coveted
Theresa S. Brungardt "Community" Award. Steve and Sherry Lulek,
owners of GMRCC, were honored for their dedication in building a
healthy community. The Lulek's will celebrate ten years of business
in March 2013.
Steve and Sherry started a high school rock-climbing league that
has grown to include a middle school league. The climbers are able
to work off membership fees through volunteering if needed. Many
climbers volunteer as they are looking for any excuse to spend more
time at the "rock gym." The center has been working with Rutland
Recreation & Parks Department since 2005 offering rock climbing
classes to youth. The lessons promote a long-term commitment to
health along with building rock climbing skills. The program
launched a need for an outlet for competitive youth climbers.
The Extreme team was borne and has climbers realizing success
both regionally and nationally. Sam Hayden, a high school freshman
from Pittsfield, who started with the Rutland Recreation program is
now a sponsored climber and has placed nationally for several
years. GMRCC has also worked with alternative schools, colleges,
corporations and the military.
Theresa S. Brungardt was a pioneer and outstanding leader of
parks and recreation in Vermont. She began her career in 1917
when she joined the staff of the National Recreation Association
during World War 1. She was Vermont's first state Director of
Recreation, having been appointed by Governor Wills in 1943.
She traveled tirelessly throughout Vermont to help communities with
their recreation programs. Many of the community recreation
departments today could trace their origins back to technical
assistance and inspiration provided by Mrs. Brungardt. She
was nationally recognized for her expertise and in 1952 was elected
the first female president of the American Recreation
Society. Her involvement continued after her retirement in
1964 when she was an active member of the Citizens Board Member
Branch of NRPA. She was inducted into the NRPA Hall of Fame
in 1997.
In 1975, the Vermont Recreation and Park Association, in
cooperation with the Recreation Section of the Vermont Department
of Forests, Parks and Recreation, established the Theresa S.
Brungardt Award - to encourage the improvement of recreation and
park services in Vermont by recognizing outstanding recreation and
park professionals, lay members, and organizations. The awards are
presented to a professional, friend, and organization every year at
the Vermont Governor's Conference.
