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Edward A. Keenan Jr. was born in 1920 and grew up in Burlington, Vermont. Following his graduation from the University of Vermont in 1942 and the UVM College of Medicine (with a commission as Army 2nd Lieutenant) in 1944, he married fellow 1944 UVM graduate Ione Lacy. In 1947 they opened a new medical practice in Brandon, and in 1951 moved to Essex Junction, which they were proud to call "home" for the rest of their nearly 67 years together.
Ed's hobby of long-distance walking began in the 1970s with marathon golf, when he eventually set a record of 155 holes in one day at Kwiniaska Golf Club, walking and carrying his own clubs. Wondering how far he could actually walk in one day, he decided to use that challenge as a means of raising money for local charities in the 1980s, culminating in an 85-mile stroll.
But it wasn't until his retirement from medical practice in 1987 when, having already walked roads in several Vermont counties, he set for himself the goal of walking every road in the state, class four and better (except for interstates). And on November 7, 1999, at almost 80 years of age, he accomplished that feat when he walked into Stratton village and proclaimed to himself, "I finally did it! Vermont is mine!" Then, since no one else was around, he simply walked the 6.5 miles back to his car and drove home.
This book contains the complete diary that Ed kept of all his walks during four decades. It also contains newspaper articles which documented his progress through the years, presentations made to groups, letters, awards, volunteer activities and other records of this unique achievement. All original documents, including maps, are located at UVM Special Collections. To purchase this book please visit Amazon.com.
