Catherine Dickson passed away recently. Catherine was President of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association from 1973-1975, and entered the Iron Dog Brigade in 1979. She also was inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in 1992.
The following biography is from the ISHF:
Catherine was first introduced to snowmobiling in 1964, with a purchase of a Ski-Daddler. Neighbors later were invited to try out the sled on weekends on their fields and wooded roads. Gradually they purchased their own sleds and expanded riding to evenings as well as weekends. The farm became the gathering point.
In 1971, she invited the snowmobile community over for the purpose of forming a club, the New Hampshire Sno-Shakers. The first meeting 70 snowmobilers from 18 towns came, the second meeting had 100 members from 27 towns. Later, she gave the club a 20 year lease at $1.00 to build a 40’x60′ clubhouse and started a “Log Drive” to finance it with contributors’ names engraved on a name plate to be put on the logs with volunteered labor.
In 1972, the clubs joined hands and the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association was formed and she was elected Director representing Merrimack County. She helped form 10 new clubs within the county and was named Secretary to NHSA upon resignation of the Secretary before completion of her term. She was the first woman to be elected president of a state snowmobile association in 1973 and served two terms. NHSA grew from 85 to 115 clubs during her tenure.
Catherine was Editor of NHSA Sno- Traveler from 1973-75, and received the ISIA Journalism Award in 1975, 1976, and 1977, and won honors as the “Best Publication.”
In New Hampshire she is known as the “Snowmobile Lady.” Catherine was instrumental on founding the ISC Northeast Chapter, served on the Governor’s Trail Committee for 6 years, Board of Directors of the NH Easter Seal Society for 6 years, helped found and served as part of the Board of Directors of NH Tourist Council for 10 years, she started being a Snowmobile Safety Instructor in 1977, and is currently instructing, attended every ISC since 1974, and represented snowmobilers on numerous talk shows, TV programs and forums.
She became a member of the Iron Dog Brigade in 1979, served that organization as vice president in 1986, and was a two term president in 1987-1988. At the International Snowmobile Congress in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on June 7, 1991. Mrs. Dickson was presented with the first George Elsenhuth Award for Distinguished Service to Snowmobiling. She continues to serve the Iron Dog Brigade as a director.
Upon retirement, Catherine and Dick (husband), operated the “Wander Inn Four Seasons” in Pittsburgh, NH. Catering to snowmobilers, it developed from a 3 resort area to a 15 resort area remaining open all year, contributing an average of $3,000 a year for trail maintenance.
Northeast Chapter News 