Posts by Kim Swisher
3Bear July 4 Races Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary While Supporting Local Community Projects
LAND O’ LAKES, Wisconsin — Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with family, friends, and community spirit at the annual 3Bear July 4 Races on Saturday, July 4th, in downtown Land O’ Lakes. The event features two family-friendly races that support important local initiatives while encouraging healthy outdoor recreation for participants of all ages. The 3Bear 5K…
Read MoreBollards Installed in Downtown Eagle River Providing Safe Connector to the Three Eagle Trail
BY GARY RIDDERSBUSCH Correspondent It was a blustery Spring day, but volunteers with the Great Headwaters Trails Foundation (GHTF), the Three Eagle Trail Foundation and Tara Lila gathered May 19th to install the bollards and chains on the Eagle River City Connector biking and walking path. The connector, initially installed in 2014, provides a path…
Read MoreA Safer Connection is Within Reach in Eagle River
We are partnering with the Eagle River Revitalization Program to build a lighted Highway 45 crossing that links downtown to Riverview Park, creating a safer way for people to walk and ride. With a $50,000 grant already secured, we’re close but we need community support to make this project happen before the end of 2026.…
Read MoreGreat Headwaters Trails Foundation Recognizes Debbie Magee with Volunteer of the Year Award
Great Headwaters Trails Foundation recognizes Debbie Magee with Volunteer of the Year Award – Trail Organization Working on Multiple 2026 Projects By Gary Ridderbuscch The Great Headwaters Trails Foundation (GHTF) recognized its Volunteer of the Year, named two new board members and updated volunteers on 2026 projects at the organization’s annual board dinner at Trees…
Read MoreWXPR – Economic Reports: Bike trails help boost local economies, connected trails even more so
The Northwoods’ tourism economy is driven, in large part, by the outdoor recreation opportunities in the region. Local communities are now getting a better sense of just how much of an impact bike trails can make through the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation’s DIY Economic Impact Program. Reports were recently released for the Heart of…
Read MoreVilas County News-Review: Ride with Leinie Proceeds Donated to Conover, Phelps for Trail Maintenance, Torch Lake Bike Trail Extension
BY GARY RIDDERBUSCH CORRESPONDENT The Great Headwaters Trails Foundation (GHTF) Inc., made several donations this month with funds raised during the 2025 Ride with Leinie Bicycle Ride held on the Conover-Phelps Trail July 26th. The popular ride attracted a record 501 registered participants from 15 states and raised more than $27,000, according to Laura VanValkenberg,…
Read MoreVilas County News-Review: 3Bear July 4 Races group, Luoto’s Fitness donate $2,500 to Great Headwaters Trails Foundation
In an effort to support bike trail development and maintenance in eastern Vilas County, organizers of the 3Bear July Races donated $2,500 to Great Headwaters Trails Foundation (GHTF) last week. Click here to read the full article! Learn more about the Vilas County News-Review.
Read MoreVilas County News Review: Cloverland Board Unanimously Re-Pledges Support for River Trail Project
By Michelle Drew Editor The ongoing River Trail project took a step closer to becoming a reality last week when the Cloverland Town Board voted unanimously to reignite its support. Cloverland had previously been in support of the project since the formation of the River Trail Commission in 2018, but board members at the time…
Read MoreGreat Headwaters Trails Foundation to Host Fundraisers Ahead of Ride with Leinie event
By Gary Ridderbusch The Great Headwaters Trails Foundation (GHTF) will host two special fundraising events leading up to its annual Ride with Leinie bicycle ride set for Saturday, July 26, in Conover. Pictured right: GHTF volunteers Mike Bishop, Cheryl Adams, Neal Adams, with Dick Leinenkugel, and Melisa Kris from the Green Hill’s Log Cabin. The…
Read MoreVilas County News-Review: Connector bike trail gets fresh paint; volunteers install bollards for season
By Gary Ridderbusch, Correspondent About a half dozen volunteers gathered in the city of Eagle River last Wednesday morning to install the bollards that mark the bike and pedestrian trail through two parking lots near downtown. Meanwhile, the Eagle River Public Works Department placed a fresh coat of yellow paint to mark the corridor that…
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