Greetings,

When several friends asked if they could nominate me for the WGA board I was delighted to say yes! Having retired from my job as a librarian a couple of years ago, I feel I now have the time and energy to devote to the WGA board.

I’m the “Mrs. book lover” half of the 2 book lovers geocaching team. When I’m not caching, I’m know as Marguerite Blodgett. My caching journey began almost 10 years ago when the Junior Girl Scout troop I was leading wanted to go on a treasure hunt. We looked through the badge book and spotted one for Geocaching. I asked a friend who geocached if she would be willing to teach the troop about geocaching. Coming home from the troop geocaching outing I announced to hubby Earl that I wanted a GPS! Eventually, the troop mascot Booker the Monkey became our geocaching mascot accompanying us on our adventures.

In the nearly 10 years we have been caching, we have visited some amazing places: an island in the middle of a waterfall, climbed to the top of a volcano, hiked miles on the IAT and much more. Many of these places we wouldn’t have visited without geocaching and the many cache owners and local geocaching groups who placed the caches. Soon we were adding to the game with hides of our own, turning the small town of Boyceville from a one cache town to a destination for geocachers. Over the years we have worked hard to improve the quality of our hides with interesting cache descriptions, fun containers and/or unique and interesting locations.

It wasn’t too long before we met other geocachers and were invited to join the WGA. Joining the WGA opened up a whole new aspect of caching with events, games and more. When the WGA announced the ambitious Yellowstone Trail Adventure Lab series we were delighted to become trail boss for a segment. We have volunteered at the Pancake Breakfast and at the WGA Booth at Cache Ba$h as well.

For over 25 years I was a Girl Scout volunteer in many roles: leader, community organizer, NASA program leader, and adult trainer. I am also the mission team leader at my church. Working in these positions has taught me to work well with others, taking time to listen to and value their experiences, ideas and opinions. I am good at following through and completing tasks I have volunteered to do. I enjoy working with others to plan events/programs for groups. And I have a passion for Geocaching!

The WGA is a strong, vital organization supporting geocaching for not only Wisconsin geocachers, but visitors from other states as well. For the WGA to continue to provide great geocaching opportunities dedicated volunteers must step up and take on leadership roles. I am honored to be asked to run for a position on the Board to be a part of the mission of the WGA.

The photo is myself and Booker the Monkey caching at Stonehenge. Just one of the amazing places geocaching has taken us.