To the editor:

Sometimes it is difficult to find the right words to say a meaningful, sincere thank-you. On last Thursday, the Dewey Mountain Recreational Center had its end-of-the-winter youth program for the season. The Dewey Mountain Friends, staff and parents do a pizza party with veggies and healthy drinks.

This year they used the occasion to do a trail dedication in my name. The intent was to recognize over 40 years of committed effort, working with so many others to bring Dewey from a dream to a vision to a reality.

The naming of the trail as “Keough K” is really a recognition of all the many volunteers, organizations and groups that have nursed, nudged and moved Dewey forward inch by inch, year by year. It is a recognition of the volunteers, whose sweat and effort that moved boulders, filled in dips, built bridges, cut and built new trails, groomed, and finally funded and built a new lodge, to make Dewey a year-round, multi-functional destination point as recreation center for all ages.

Thank you to Sue Dyer, Supervisor Ray LaRose, the town board members of the 1970s and the “First Dew Team” that started and set a compass direction for Dewey. The trail dedication is a recognition and appreciation for all the dedicated, persevering volunteers, groups, managers, town employees, the Harrietstown Highway Department and the Saranac Lake Rotary Foundation for their years of labor and to those who did an impossible job of raising the funds for the new lodge. And a thank you to Peg, who has been so supportive and helpful in this effort for over 40 years.

Thank you to the Dewey Mountain Friends for all the effort you have nourished the growth of Dewey with. Thank you for recognizing the years of effort put in by so many. And thank you to the kids, parents, friends, village board and staff, and Rotary members who joined Peg and I for this very special occasion.

Dewey was the home starting place for Olympic winners. I truly believe that among the young people sitting in front of me during the ceremony, there is an other generation of Olympic competitors who will someday stand on the podium being awarded an Olympic medal on the outside, and the Dewey Spirit on the inside.

If you have not been there, take a moment and see the “The Hidden Jewel of the Adirondacks.” When the snow is gone, the sun is shining and the leaves are out, take a walk on the trails. That experience will reassure you that in spite of all the negative things in life and the world, there is a useful place of peaceful beauty that can be enjoyed at no cost.

If you are thinking about a place to do a birthday party, meeting or celebration, consider the Dewey Lodge. Applications and schedule openings are available through the facility manager, Jason.

Thank you to all the folks who have helped in small and big ways to make Dewey what it is. Keep it going.

Ron Keough

Saranac Lake