2025 Trailblazer Award

Photo: Tourism Bureau Board members present the Pigeon River Discovery Center with the Trailblazer Award. L-R: Mark Copeland, Barry Owens, Julie Allen, Sandy Franz, Jan Kellogg, Rob Rodenroth, Gary Kosch and Paul Beachnau.

(Gaylord) The Gaylord Area Convention & Tourism Bureau is pleased to announce that the Pigeon River Discovery Center was selected as the recipient of the 2025 Trailblazer Award. The Tourism Bureau Board of Directors selected the Discovery Center for their innovative approach to increasing awareness and appreciation for the Pigeon River Country State Forest. By educating a new generation of stewards, this unique resource will continue to be valued and protected for years to come.

The Discovery Center’s nomination read, “The Pigeon River Discovery Center Board undertook a massive restoration and conversion of the former Pigeon River Forest Manager Residence and turned it into a fun, interesting, thriving Museum\ Education Center. Through careful research involving the State DNR historian, it was discovered this full log building built during the CCC era had significant value on its own. Through an aggressive fundraising effort and careful research, they have converted the building into a center where locals and visitors can get more information on the formation of the forest, out native

Indian population, the elk herd, lumbering and recreation. It is professional and fun. They have also established a working center for education offerings about nature and the forest.”

Given out annually at the State of the Tourism Industry luncheon, this award was created to recognize an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to improve the local tourism product within Gaylord/Otsego County and the surrounding area. The honor is intended not only to commend the recipient(s) for their contribution, but also to further raise awareness of the many tourism-related enhancements taking place around us each day.

Past recipients include: 2024 – Jordan Awrey – Downtown Summer Concert Series; 2023 – Kat Steinbrecher - Mary’s Stein Haus, Porter Haus, Abi’s Bistro, Kane’s Lobster Pot; 2022 – Mark Copeland – Jay’s Sporting Goods; 2021 – Scott & Janice Lampert – Sojourn Lakeside Resort, Sugar Bowl historic building, Fairfield Inn; 2021 – Justin Hacker – Gaylord Disc Golf Course; 2020 – Gary Kosch – Alpine Tavern & Otsego Grand Event Center; 2020 – Jerry Beattie – Sled Shed & Gaylord Area Snowmobile Trails Council.

** For more information, please contact Christy Walcott at 989-732-4000 **