2025 Annual Appreciation Event

On November 12, 2025, Boston By Foot volunteers, members, trustees and staff made their way to Education First headquarters for our Annual Appreciation Event. During this evening of joy and festivities, we celebrated many well-deserving Boston By Foot volunteers, including those who gave 20 or more tours this season, retiring committee co-chairs, and more than two dozen guides who have served BBF for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 45 years!

FOOT PINS:

The following people were awarded Foot Pins to honor their years as a BBF volunteer:

5-year pin recipients: Emily Auger, David Becker, Chad Benoit, Tracey Guth, Andrew Haber, Carol Ann Hayes, David Kornetsky, Sarah Netsky, Lena Schwallenberg, Peter Smiledge
10-year pin recipients: Alice Brown, Mary Fontanella, Mary Beth Karr, Bob Malsberger, Thomas McNamara, Laura Palacios, Eileen Ryan, Anne Smagorinsky, Janet Van Liere, Timothy Wallace
15-year pin recipients: Katie Kelly, Judith Liben, Thomas Revay
20-year pin recipients: Liz Morgan, Pam Pacelli
25-year pin recipients: Andrea Bonanno, Doug Upton
45-year pin recipient: Harry Friedman

FOOTLY FORTITUDE:

The following volunteers were recognized for giving 20 or more tours:

64 Tours: Carl Dimiatti
49 Tours: Tom Revay
40 Tours: Marina Kofman
28 Tours: Liam Sullivan
27 Tours: Michele Steinberg
26 Tours: Bob Perkins
26 Tours: Laurie Rotman
25 Tours: Dan Keating
24 Tours: Bob Saltzman
23 Tours: Peter Smiledge
21 Tours: Terri Evans

COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS / EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER:

Two retiring co-chairs were recognized: Tom McGinn, Academic Affairs Committee; and Sarah Netsky, Virtual Programs Committee. Also recognized was retiring Editorial Board Member Sheila Frazier.

VOLUNTEER EMERITUS:

Boston By Foot established an Emeritus position to honor the contributions of longtime volunteers, enabling them to continue a lifetime connection to the organization after they have decided to end their active involvement.

The following long-term volunteer was officially elevated to the position of Volunteer Emeritus:

Nancy Heywood, Class of 1989

SERVICE AWARDS:

The Quick on Your Feet Award is presented to a volunteer or volunteers who demonstrate remarkable flexibility and a willingness to adapt to new situations. Recipients: Tod Hibbard, Tom Revay and Janet Van Liere.

The Steps to Inclusion Award honors a volunteer or volunteers who have taken exceptional steps to advance Boston By Foot’s IDEA (Inclusion Diversity, Equity and Access) goals and/or help Boston By Foot expand and deepen our community connections. Recipient: Kailyn Sitter.

The Steve Kluskens Distinguished Service Award, named for long-time guide Steve Kluskens who passed away in 2022, goes to a volunteer or volunteers who have gone above and beyond to support Boston By Foot, our staff and their fellow volunteers. Recipient: Liubov Repetskaia.