DALTON, Mass. — The community is invited to the premier of "Trail Angel" on Tuesday, July 23, at 7 p.m. at the Stationery Factory. 

 

The short film follows Tom Levardi, who has been a supporter of the hiking community over the last 45 years by allowing Appalachian Trail hikers to camp in his back yard. 

 

Through these efforts, he became known as the "trail angel" because of the kindness and generosity he showed to the hikers. 

 

The video, which lasts about 30 minutes, will provide a glimpse into Levardi's story and experiences and demonstrate the impact he has had on the hikers passing through Dalton.

 

 

For the last two years, Dalton Community Television station manager Michael Sinopoli has been developing this film, gathering footage and interviews from Levardi and hikers. 

 

As a trail angel, Levardi has met thousands of people from all over the world. Dalton has become a utopia to many hikers because of the amenities readily available along the trail, Levardi said.  

 

Levardi has had upwards of 25 people camping in his back yard in one sitting. Most hikers utilize the motels in the surrounding area, so turning people away only happens on rare occasions. 

 

The town has amenities needed to refuel hikers' journeys, including a motel, laundry mat, restaurants, and a shower at Dalton Community Recreation Association. 

 

The trail cuts through 14 states and right through Dalton's downtown. Every year, hundreds of hikers find their way to local businesses, including Angelina's Subs and Juice 'N Java, among others, Levardi said. 

 

"There aren't many towns from Georgia to Maine where you actually walk through a town. There's only a handful," Levardi said. 

 

"So, this is really a big deal for the hikers not to have to hitch into a town or to have to walk into a town. So, this is a bonanza for hikers." 

 

Levardi is a hiking enthusiast, and although he has never hiked the more than 2,190-mile trail, which can take up to six months, he has hiked a number of its sections. 

 

It is sometimes a struggle for hikers to find a place to stay overnight, resupply food, do laundry, and complete other necessary tasks along the trail, he said. 

 

Dalton has all these amenities but some hikers struggle to find a place to stay, so "that's really kind of a service I was providing to hikers. As a hiker because I know it's not that easy to find a place to stay," Levardi said. 

 

"[Dalton] is an oasis for the hikers," Sinopoli said. 

 

Sinopoli said that in interviews for the film, hikers expressed how happy they are when they are in Dalton and how grateful they are that Levardi lets them utilize his yard to camp because it gives them the opportunity to not only recharge but also meet other hikers and enjoy the town. 

 

"The local town, people's reactions are wonderful," hiker Tim "Server" Walker said in an interview for the film. 

 

Dalton residents "awe" at the hikers as they complete their feat to Maine and give them words of encouragement, Walker said. 

 

"I've never been a hiker, but I imagine there's some isolation out there. So, to come to a place where people are friendly, and you have food, and shelter, and safety. It's a good thing," Sinopoli said. 

 

Levardi started opening his yard to hikers 45 years ago following a conversation with a one utilizing the laundry mat that was next to his home. 

 

When Levardi recommended the motel in town, the hiker informed him they could not afford it, so Levardi welcomed him to use his back yard for the night.

 

The next day, two more hikers requested to use his back yard after hearing of the kind gesture the night before, and as time went on, more people became aware of him through word of mouth. 

 

Following the premier, the film will be posted on Dalton Community Television's YouTube channel and broadcast on Channel 1301.