John Morgan, MC, Betty Little and her son, David Little.

The 41st Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held at Miracle Plaza on November 13, celebrated two people who have made significant contributions to our community: Dmitry Feld and Betty Little.

ORDA and the Hall of Fame committee followed the format established last year at Mt Van Hoevenberg of having a reception rather than a sit-down dinner, as had been the tradition for decades. Locating the Inauguration ceremony Miracle Plaza provided ORDA the opportunity to provide complimentary attendance at the Olympic Museum, which many took advantage of, hosting the reception in the Roamers Café and holding the induction ceremony on the first floor with the 1980 scoreboard as a backdrop.

Dmitry Feld has touched the hearts and lives of many in Lake Placid and beyond through his leadership on the Shipman Center and organizing its lead fundraiser, the annual I Love New York Barbecue and Music Festival, support for Haitians and Ukrainians, and efforts to market USA Luge. His contributions didn’t stop there; he helped refugees become American citizens, promoted local food drives, and advocated for pet and wildlife care.

Underscoring his impact, Dmitry was named Volunteer of the Year in 2010 by the Village and Town of North Elba. The same year, Essex County Bar Association awarded him the Liberty Bell Award for outstanding citizenship. In 2017, as part of National Volunteer Week, the Lake Placid-North Elba NVW Committee recognized Dmitry as the Distinguished Adult Volunteer of the Year.

Ask Betty Little, and she’ll say I’m just doing her job, but Little’s contributions to this region have gone far beyond any as a former elected representative, first in the Assembly and second as eighteen years as a State Senator.

John Cogar and Linda Feld.

In no small measure, Betty, a board member of ORDA, was a critical voice that helped secure a massive State investment in upgrading the Olympic venues. This investment has already paid remarkable dividends beyond hosting the University Games. Lake Placid will host its third World Cup in ski jumping, a World Championships in Bobsledding and Skeleton, and has held the first of three UCI World Cups in Mountain Bike racing, the latter also representing an expansion of events held in our region and a guaranteed minimum three-year investment by Warner Brothers Sports. Lake Placid is also being considered as a backup venue for the sliding sports for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The investments also include the very popular coaster, the longest in North America, that follows along the course of the historic 1932 track, and an indoor climbing wall that has become a hit with area youth. Snowmaking at Mt Van Hoevenberg has enabled the venue to host several high school and college level sporting events that had to be moved from Vermont and elsewhere due to a lack of snow over the past years. The wide variety of seasonal and year-round jobs ORDA provides to region residents is not so apparent but equally critical.

“Getting inducted into the Hall of Fame is extremely exciting and very unexpected,” said Betty Little. “Many people who have done so much in this area are in the Hall of Fame; I never expected to be in it. Lake Placid means so much to me; it’s an absolutely beautiful place with nature, mountains, and everything you could ask for, and they have all kinds of activities and a rich history. But it’s the people; they are hardworking, kind, nice, and they volunteer. Everybody is enthusiastic about what goes on here, and they participate.”

Little feels that recognition programs like the Hall of Fame are essential because they highlight people who go above and beyond themselves and encourage others to do the same. Echoing that thought, Dan Stec described Betty as a very modest person who doesn’t seek recognition but that it’s important to recognize people like her who do so much for others and contribute beyond any work-related responsibilities.

“It’s never about her; it is always about what can she do for the community and for others,” said Stec. “Betty is modest and very unassuming but very intelligent and very thoughtful.”

“Dmitry went above and beyond,” said Jay Rand. “He was a great choice; he’d do anything for anybody and ask nothing in return.”

“Nobody ever was or will be like Dmitry,” said Jim Rogers. “He was an exceptional man. He never forgot a name or spent a disagreeable moment with anyone. He constantly said yes.”

The veterinarian, John Cogar, unexpectedly found himself traveling to Ukraine with Dmitry, as it’s hard to say no whenever he asks for a favor.

“I first met Dmitry when I was on the U.S. Bobsled Team, and he was coaching the Luge team,” said Cogar. “But then I was his veterinarian for the next thirty years, but when the horrible invasion of Ukraine took place in ’22, he called me up to ask about the possibility of my helping out with animals. I thought I was just making a donation but soon found myself with a plane ticket to Poland. Anybody who knows Dmitry knows it was a lot of fun. It seemed like the third or fourth day, everyone was saying hi, Dmitry, and he hadn’t been to Ukraine in forty years. My wife asked how he got you to go to Ukraine, and I said meet him, and you’ll find out.”

John Morgan served as master of ceremonies. Sandy Caligore accepted Dmitry’s induction, Dan Stec presented Betty Little’s, and ORDA CEO Ashley Walden welcomed everyone to the celebration.

“Tonight, we have the pleasure of inducting two very important people, each of whom I’ve gotten to know over the past several years,” said Ashley Walden. “Both are treasured by everyone who knows them. I think among their long list of accomplishments, they’ve made incredible contributions to the community and recreation, two things that tie everyone in this room and region together. Betty and Dmitry are pillars of the community; I think it’s important that we celebrate them, and I’m honored that we are able to do it here this evening.”

Later, Jim Rogers, a 1992 inductee, said, “It’s very moving to be selected and recognized by your peers.”