Six-year-old Nicholas Alexander of Belgrade and his dad, Keith, were special guests at last week’s Pine Tree Ride-in at Newport. The Alexanders were recognized for their personal fundraising and help with the creation of a handicapped-accessible treehouse at the Rome-based Pine Tree Camp. Office manager Heidi Labbe shows Nicholas this year’s Ride-in T-shirt. (SVWeekly Photo by Brenda Seekins.)

   Saturday’s special guest was six-year-old Nicholas Alexander of Belgrade and his dad, Keith. The Alexanders were recognized for their commitment to the Rome camp and for personally raising $4,000 for the camp’s new handicapped-accessible tree house. Nicholas was a new camper last summer at the Pine Cone Day Camp, and reports wielding “a real heavy hammer” during the construction on the tree house last fall. He also had the privilege of being one of the first campers to ascend the 80-foot ramp to try out the new facility.
    During Saturday night ceremonies several clubs, individuals, businesses and the town of Newport were recognized for continuing support of the Pine Tree Camp and the annual ride-in. Newport Town Manager Jim Ricker accepted a plaque naming the town to the PTC Hall of Fame. Similarly, Tom Stone of Cianbro Corporation of Pittsfield accepted a plaque recognizing Cianbro’s nomination to the Hall of Fame for several different donations of equipment and manpower to the camp. Bud’s Shop’nSave also was named to the Hall of Fame for continuing support of the Ride-in with donations of food and personnel. Chesley also included his parents this year for their continuing support of his efforts and the many events held on behalf of the camp.
    Northport Ridge Riders were recognized as having the most members present for the ride-in, and many of them came to see one of their own named to the Hall of Fame for years of support.
    During the Saturday tally, Jim Dunphy of the Pittsfield Driftbusters presented a check for $11,889.28. The Driftbusters fundraising began in 1991, when Dunphy’s father, Red, began a 50/50 challenge at SAS in Pittsfield and Irving Tanning in Hartland. Over 18 years, the fundraiser has tallied $509,442.