The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association's annual meeting and dinner was held on November 8 at Moonlite Bay Restaurant in Crosslake. In honor of the organization's 25th anniversary, the keynote address was provided by Sharon Strouse, director of the National Scenic Byways Foundation. Minnesota State Scenic Byways Director, Holly Slagle and MN Scenic Byways Commission chair, Marnie Karnowski, also joined in the celebration.

A crowd of over thirty attendees were treated to an energetic and enthusiastic keynote message, celebrating the many accomplishments over the past 25 years, including the Veteran's Walking Trail, popular tear-off route maps, 13 interpretive kiosks along the route, and many more. Strouse highlighted the many partnerships forged by the Byway Association including projects done hand-in-hand with Whitefish Area Lodging Association, Crow Wing County Highway Department, Explore Minnesota, DNR and the long-running cooperative partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Highlighting past successes was the springboard for Strouse's main push which was looking ahead to the next 25 years. Timing for this message dovetailed perfectly with the PBSBA's current project to update the current Corridor Management Plan, which is expected to be completed in the next few months.

Other presentations during the evening included a recognition of the Byway Association's Linda Ulland Scholarship Program; Veteran's Trail report; Matt Kallroos, Crow Wing County Planner; Randy Urich, Operations Manager for USACE; McCollander Media/XR Creative Marketing.

Learn more about the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association, membership, donations, or volunteering.