PHOTO PROVIDED
Shown here is Dave Calhoun who received the 2025 BEVT “Friend of the Year Award” and Wayne McCollough, past BEVT president, who received a well-deserved Appreciation Award for his outstanding commitment, contributions and leadership.

LOCK HAVEN — The Friends of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail (BEVT) held their annual banquet on Jan. 13 at the Village in Lock Haven with 34 people in attendance. Wayne McCollough, past president and one of the initial founders of the group, was honored with an Appreciation Award for his outstanding commitment, contributions, service, leadership and passion in helping create and maintain the trail. He has served as president since its creation in 2019.

Dave Calhoun, a Wayne Township Supervisor, was also awarded the 2025 “Bald Eagle Valley Friend of the Year Award” for his ongoing efforts and support of the trail. Calhoun and McCollough have both been active and significant contributors of BEVT for many years!

A brief business meeting was held which included president’s remarks of the year’s accomplishments by Wayne, a finance and budget report by Pete Smeltz, a secretary’s report by Deb Smeltz and an election of officers. Mark Weaver was elected president for 2026 and 2027.

The evening continued with several presentations, starting with Ben Green, Community Planner and Zoning Officer for Clinton County, who gave an update on the ongoing and planned additions and improvements for the coming year. The second speaker, Tom Casilio, District Forester for the Tiadaghton State Forest, gave an update on the Pine Creek Rails to Trails. Commissioners Angela Harding and Jeff Snyder followed by talking about the addition of recent railroad signage donated by John and Joyce Gummo and giving thanks to the group for helping and assisting with the trail.

Abbey Roberts, City Planner & Development Coordinator, provided updates on planned connections of the trail directly into the city, and John Gradel, BEVT Vice President and Castanea Township Supervisor, also added complementary words and support for the work done by the Friends of the BEVT.

The final speaker, Jason Fitzgerald, CEO of the Clinton County Economic Partnership, applauded the work being done to create the trail as a tourism destination in Clinton County.

There is more work to do with continued efforts underway to expand the trail to connect with the Pine Creek Rails to Trails and directly into the city and continuing to maintain the existing trail. The next membership meeting is at 7 on March 10 at the Piper Building in Lock Haven. Anyone interested in finding out more or helping with ongoing efforts is welcome to attend.