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Vermont Cyclists Complete the Great American Voter Trek

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080129/NETU108LOGO )

Indeed, the cyclists representingVermont universities and colleges, Max MacDonald, Hayden Coon, Ali Tesoriero Saslafsky, Matt Healy, Nathan Williams, Megan Newhouse, support-crew members Kevin Stapleton and Wayne Lawrence, and Home Base Captain Averill Earls (who managed the Trek from Cabot Creamery Cooperative's headquarters inVermont), all agreed the Trek was a real opportunity to make a difference.

The cyclists began their non-partisan, apolitical Trek on June 16 with a VIP send-off at The University of Vermont featuringVermont Governor Jim Douglas and Attorney General Bill Sorrell. They pedaled cross-country to The University of Wyoming where they were greeted by hundreds of University of Wyoming students, family and friends along with state officials and the Wyoming League of Women Voters.

Along the way, the cyclists met with mayors, town council members, and thousands of everyday people including those too young yet to vote -- all in an effort to raise voter awareness. The youngest registered inPhelps, NY, will be 18 in October and the oldest in his mid-sixties fromOmaha, Nebraska 'just hadn't gotten 'round to it.'

While there is no way to tally exactly how many were registered or touched by the outpouring of local media and event attendees, all agree with Great American Voter Trek Rider and Road Captain Max MacDonald, whose idea sparked the trek. "We rode to bring attention to the elections andVermont. We certainly accomplished that."

The six cyclists rode through more than seven rainstorms, witnessed two tornadoes close at hand, spent an afternoon doing volunteer work in the flood-ravaged and tornado stricken states ofIowa andNebraska, experienced more than 30 flat tires, and drank nearly 900 bottles of water and energy drinks. They participated in and registered voters at six major Great American Voter Trek events in key cities along the route. Those stops included: the nation's largest Gus Macker 3-On-3 Basketball Tournament in Buffalo, NY; The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inCleveland, Ohio; The Lakeview Music Fest inChicago, Illinois; The Farmers Market inCedar Rapids, Iowa; The Playing With Fire concert inOmaha, Nebraska, and the cyclists capped off the Trek with visits to The University of Wyoming and the Laramie Farmers Market.

WhyVermont toWyoming? The Trek began inVermont, the first state to allow non-property owners the right to vote, and ended ceremoniously in Wyoming, famously the first state to allow women the right to vote.

Why the focus on registering voters? The U.S. Census Bureau recently reported that of the 197 million citizens who were eligible to vote in the last presidential election, only 142 million were registered. And, a recent survey by the Pew Research Center and the Associated Press found that 40 percent of all 18 to 29-year-olds are not registered to vote and of those registered, the majority fail to turn up to vote. The riders and theVermont companies that sponsored the Trek (Cabot Creamery Cooperative, National Life Group, Green Mountain Coffee, Gardener's Supply Company, Vermont Teddy Bear Company, King Arthur Flour, Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, Smugglers' Notch Resort, theState of Vermont, Ben & Jerry's and the Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association) wanted to change that. And in their own small way, they were a huge success.

"We completed an incredible journey," said MacDonald. "We were greeted in town after town by thousands of good people who appreciated our effort and could commit to making their own by voting in November. To represent Vermonters andVermont's many great companies in this endeavor was humbling and very gratifying for each of us."

"Vermonters take voting very seriously," said Earls. "We meet in every town every year as an official state holiday to determine spending and to elect our officials. The Great American Voter Trek took thisVermont spirit on the road and even more powerfully on the web. We'll be blogging through to November -- a Trek of time and space," she said.

From the moment the riders leftVermont, their focus was on registering voters and informing people about voting, voter rights and when and where to vote -- all in a non-partisan, non-judgmental way.

"On behalf of the farmers who ownCabot and all theVermont companies who contributed, we thank the riders for the commitment, enthusiasm and heart that made The Great American Voter Trek such a success," said Cabot CEO, Dr. Rich Stammer.

For the cyclists, the Trek was a unique opportunity to meet people and see a large part of our nation in an up-front and personal way.

"Having the opportunity to meet such a diverse group of people from so many different backgrounds helped me realize how important democracy is and why America is truly the greatest country in the world," said Trek rider Hayden Coon ofWilliamstown, Vermont.

Trek Teammate Ali Tesoriero Saslafsky, a senior at The University of Vermont said, "Over the course of this trip, I have realized how unique of an opportunity this quest has been. But most of all, this experience has meant traveling and meeting truly amazing people."

Saint Michael's College graduate Matt Healy echoed his teammates' feelings adding, "To be able to encourage people to take part in a democratic process that is truly unique to our country has been a great experience, and one that I will never forget."

For Trek Rider Nathan Williams, a student at Middlebury College, seeing America by bike was a special experience.

"From a bicycle, time slows way down and roads seem to stretch endlessly before you," Williams said. "Small towns with streets lined with flags are more charming, hills seem steeper and higher, fields flatter and emptier; the sun feels hotter and the rain more penetrating, and the food of course tastes more delicious. The America I discovered on this Trek is special like Vermont. To have worked to bring attention to people's right to vote along the way is more meaningful than anything I can describe."

Trek rider Megan Newhouse, who will be heading off to the University of Utah this fall, says the Trek provided her with a true test of her own endurance and conviction.

"This trip has been an unbelievable opportunity to see my country in a way that few people will ever get to experience," Newhouse said.

To learn more about voter registration and The Great American Voter Trek, visit: www.votertrek.com which will stay live until November 4, 2008

For a hi-res image of The Great American Voter Trek riders celebrating in Laramie after their 47-day journey, please visit: http://imagerelay.com/lightbox_view.php?datab=ad73980ce99b0ac

ABOUT CABOT CREAMERY COOPERATIVE

Cabot Creamery has been in continuous operation inVermont since 1919 and is most widely known as makers of "The World's Best Cheddar and World's Best Lowfat Cheddar."Cabot is owned by the dairy farm families of Agri-Mark, the Northeast's premier dairy cooperative. For additional information on Cabot Creamery, please visit www.cabotcheese.coop

    Contact: Elizabeth Davis                 Bob Schiers
    Office: (802) 598-7155                   Office: (609) 267-4861
    E-Mail: edavis@boardmandavis.com         E-Mail: bob.schiers@raspr.com

SOURCE Cabot Creamery Cooperative