With the face and first pre-fabricated rib-shaped panels of the maintenance garage already in place, volunteers from the Montour Trail Council threw a groundbreaking celebration Friday at the 28-mile marker of the 47.5-mile trail.

When completed, the centrally located, 40-by-74-foot, Quonset hut-style garage will house a grader, roller, tractors, trucks and mowers.

"We've gathered enough equipment over the years that we actually build our own trail now," said Dennis Pfeiffer, president of the Montour Trail Council. And although a contractor poured the concrete pad at a cost of $21,000, volunteers are constructing the building rib by rib, tightening 8,500 bolts.

The Montour Trail Council dedicated the garage to Burgh's Pizza and Wing Pub in Bridgeville in honor of the efforts of the three owners - Tom, Frank and Dan Daily - who have raised about $50,000 for the Montour Trail through a 10K race held annually since 2001.

Tom Daily was unable to be present Friday because he was on his way to Baltimore, where he was running in a marathon.

John Hooton of Peters Township often saw Daily running near his office in Bridgeville and made it his mission to acquaint him with the trail. Once Daily became familiar with the idea, he ran with it, literally, funding the four races with 47 corporate sponsors. Last year, more than 500 runners and walkers participated. The fifth annual race is scheduled for April 24.

In addition to the race, Burgh's Pizza and Wings has collected $2,000 from customers who have donated to a "trail box" in the restaurant, Frank Daily said.

"Although we have been able to obtain grants for the trail, there are no grants available for the garage," Pfeiffer said.

Frank Ludwin of Cecil Township has donated his backhoe and forklift for the trail's use, and he hopes to have the $45,000 garage completed by winter. Other MTC volunteers who helped on the garage construction include Stewart Agreen, Rich Blaskiewicz, Dave Blistan, Bill Capp, Hoyt Hall, John Hooton, Frank Keppel, John Kozak, Frank Lukwin, Pete Merther, Dennis Sims, Dave Wright and Ed Zupancic.

In addition, the MTC sends out a special thanks to Brett R. Lutz, an electrical inspector who was generous enough to donate his services to inspect the new garage's electrical system.

Barbara S. Miller