BURLINGTON, Vt. – Maine Operation Lifesaver, a nonprofit education organization dedicated to preventing collisions at railroad crossings and trespass incidents along railroad rights-of-way, has recognized a Minot man as Volunteer of the Year.

Paul Lodge, a retired high school teacher, was noted for his untiring energy disseminating safety information about the dangers inherent on railroad property and at rail-highway intersections.

Lodge gives presentations to schoolchildren, driver education students and professional drivers. He also travels to community events with a display promoting rail safety. Much of his work is in conjunction with the Great Falls Model Railroad Club, where he doubles as an advocate of model railroading and spokesman for Maine Operation Lifesaver.

“Paul has delivered our safety message to several thousand people over the past year,” said Fred Hirsch, coordinator of Maine Operation Lifesaver. “He dedicates over 100 hours each year to our organization’s efforts.”

A plaque was presented to Lodge at the recent Operation Lifesaver regional conference in Burlington, Vt. It reads, “In recognition for his many years as an outstanding, dedicated volunteer for Maine Operation Lifesaver helping make our communities better by promoting safety at railroad crossings and along railroad right of way.”

A business teacher who taught for 25 years at Edward Little High School in Auburn, Lodge still leads an adult education course in model railroading.

An avid videographer, he is also producer of “Train Time,” a half-hour television program distributed to more than 20 Maine cable television outlets and viewed in more than 200 Maine communities.