Thanks to the time and effort of more than 40 volunteers and nearly 60 sponsors, the Wilmot Community Association’s (WCA) ninth annual Black Fly Blitz on Memorial Day was a resounding success.
This year, race volunteers included several members of the Kearsarge Regional High School track and cross country teams and their coaches.
“This collaboration between the high school and the WCA on this community event was terrific,” said Marc Davis, who assisted with race organization.
Prior to the race the students put T-shirts, numbers, and other information in packets for runners. On the day of the race, students assisted with various tasks, including distributing numbers and T-shirts to runners, manning the water station at Cross Hill, Campground roads clean-up detail, and any other task they were asked to do.
“The students really made the day a success,” said Ann Davis, president of the WCA Board of Directors. “The students were wonderful to work with. We received lots of compliments from runners and others about how pleasant and helpful they were.”
Kearsarge Regional High School students and graduates included Justin Marr and Grant Reeder; and current students, Conor Terhune, Aidan Terhune, Teagan Adams, Mercedes Gorman, and Roudy Rehor. KRHS coaches and teachers who assisted with the event included Maryanne Morcom, Heather McCarthy, Ed Rehor, Ernie Brake, and Peter Angus.
Members of the Wilmot Volunteer Fire Department and FAST Squad including Mason Ash, Tim O’Neill, Kevin Cioffi Jr. Joe Bucchieri, Peter Burghardt, Scott Carpenter, and Colby Wood were on hand to assist with any first-aid or medical emergencies.
Wilmot Police Chief, David White, not only led the nearly 250 runners on course in a police cruiser, he also helped set up barricades to close a couple sections of road to ensure the safety of all the runners.
Providing games and other activities for children and the young at heart were Bill Burris, who set up his wonderful handmade games, and his assistants, Margaret and William Doody. Rosanna Dude and Kathy Neuberger collaborated at the face-painting booth to the delight of lots of children and adults.
Staffing the concession and information booths were Patty McGoldrick, the WCA’s executive director, Mary Fanelli, WCA office manager, Margaret Monto, Rachel Seamans, Jen Caponigro, and Roy Finney, WCA board members, John Gutman, Eli Ward, and Kathy Van Weelden, WCA members. Molly, Will, Jenny, and Jim Santora helped prepare the food served to runners.
Adding to the success of the Black Fly Blitz were the 59 race sponsors. Lindy Heim and Marc Davis assisted with sponsor recruitment.
Sponsors were: Blackwater Auto Body, Colby Real Estate, Daniel J. Connolly Law Offices, Echo Communications, Gutgsell & Phipps Dentistry, the InterTown Record, KLG Architecture PLLC, Lake Sunapee Bank, Lakes Region Tent & Event, Northeast Delta Dental, Pleasant Acres Property Maintenance, Rayno Construction LLC, Road ID, The Appliance Guru, Walker Automotive Inc., Woods Without Gile LLC., Cherry Pond Designs, Colonial Pharmacy, Gavin Campbell Construction LLC, H32 Design & Development LLC, Hubert’s New London, LaValley Building Supply Inc., Paint n’ Place Signs, Pizza Chef of Andover, and Sugar River Bank.
Other sponsors were: Barton Insurance Agency, Clayton A Miller Inc., Connie’s Classic Coverups, Cross Insurance, FloorCraft, Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty, Hays & Hayes Builders LLC, Kearsarge Veterinary Clinic PPLC, Ledyard Bank, Marathon Landscaping, Marshall’s Garage, Michael Chiarella Law Offices, MJ Harrington & Co., Mountainside Racquet & Fitness Center, New London Agency, Pleasant Lake Veterinary Hospital, R.P. Johnson & Son, Spring Ledge Farm, the Heim family and the Terhune family.
Sponsors also included Coldwell Banker Milestone, Country Houses, Elinor and Tom Gregor, Hannaford, New London, Kayak Country Paddle Sports, Kimpton Electric LLC, McCrillis & Eldredge, Morgan Hill Bookstore, Market Basket, Warner; New London Hospital, North Star Travel and Park N Go Market.