9199-R2_MSA_October2025_Newsletter

From The Executive Board

From the President

snowmobile club “business” understands it is more than just from when the first snowflake hits the ground. It’s a year-long effort to ensure that the trail system, equipment and landowners are all in order. If you haven’t heard from the clubs you joined last season, reach out. Often the same people getting memberships together are also working full-time, raising a family and countless other responsibilities. Offer to lend a hand! When talking with them, ask if there is help needed to get the trails or equipment ready for snow. There are many tasks that need to be done, step up & help. I am excited by all the new names and faces we have been seeing in clubs across the State. It is great to have new people step into active roles within the local club. A huge thank you to all for saying yes. Reach out and ask for help from your club members, club next door, regional MSA director, VP or call the office. We are all here to help, no one should feel like they have to do it all alone. Other resources for trails & landowner issues are the folks from Department of Conservation snowmobile program, regional trails coordinators. These folks work for Joe’s office and help clubs and landowners resolve issues that come up. And do not forget the Warden Service landowner relation program, the two folks at the state level (Andrew Smart & Kris MacCabe) can help you coordinate The MSA has been extremely busy putting together the super raffle, processing incoming memberships and putting all the pieces together for the October Snowmobile and Powersports Show. We have also been traveling around to many different events visiting clubs, selling Super Raffle tickets and displaying the raffle sleds and trailers. A group dise for world travelers. Most of our trails are on private property. Please respect their land. We would be out of business if it were not for them. Thank you, landowners large and small, you make it hap pen! Always carry a paper trail, map, or, if you have a GPS, download our trail system and study it. Watch for reroutes and new trails. Pay attention to trail signs. Remember, riding in Maine is a privilege. Respect the land. Be responsible, don’t litter, stay on marked trails. Many landowners have new tree growth and other types of vegetation growing; these areas are off limits and could jeopardize or damage the system. Prepare for the new season by giving your machine a complete checkup. Inspect your track, brakes, lights, and fluids. Do you need a new drive belt? Replace it if need be. Well-maintained sleds offer a day of great rid ing and fewer breakdowns. Also, make sure you register your sled and join a club while you’re at it. We need new volunteers and new ideas to continue making our trails in Maine an actual destination point. Suit up with the latest gear and accessories from our devoted supporting businesses. Hel mets, suits, gloves, boots, and layered clothing are season” and the anticipation is ramping up! I know that most clubs have been engaged in their pre-season activities and are all wrapped up in Trail work, fundraisers, and so on. As the season nears, I would like to thank all of the individual clubs for their hard work and determination in making their portion of the trail system the best that it can possibly be. We have so many successful clubs all over the State and THAT is what makes our trail system the best out there hands down! As if the clubs don’t have plenty to think about this time of year, you must make sure that your club’s documents are filed on time with the MSA and the Dept. of A.C.F. These documents can be found in the MSA Membership packet and the Grant packet, which comes from Joe Higgin’s office at the Dept. of A.C.F. the Snowmobile Division, and are time sensitive with deadlines.

of MSA volunteers spent three days in Epping N.H. over Columbus Day Weekend at the Grass Drags selling raffle tickets, talking shop and promoting Snowmobiling in Maine, and we are heading to West Springfield Mass. to the Mass Snowmobile Expo later next month. On the legislative side, we have been meeting and discussing which direction to take the association to bring something to the table in order to get more funding for the clubs and also helping clubs with the Grant process to direct some of the Trails bond money back into their hands. On the Trails side of the MSA, Brent and company have been diligently working on an MSA on-line mapping App. We have partnered with Map Gears and just rolled it out the middle of last month. So if you are looking for an on-line interactive Snowmobile Trail App then look no further. It is 5 bucks a year for the Pro Version and is compatible with all neighboring states. Well that’s all until next month. And as always if you have a question, comment or just wish to talk snowmobiling, please reach out and let’s have a conversation. Thank you for reading. Mark As you read this, the MSA show in Augusta is coming soon. An opportunity to get together and visit, check out sleds, groomers, trailers, gear & accessories in person, talk to a dealer or vendor representative. This year we have updated the show to include even more, so plan to get to Augusta and check it out with friends and family. You can also attend any of the workshops on grants or trail signage put on by the MSA & State snowmobile program. I will be there all 3 days and hope to see you there. We at the MSA have had a busy summer and hope you all benefit from the new additions/ changes to the super raffle & show. We also have helped folks to learn more and access information on the Maine Trails Program grant. 3 of us (Al Swett, Shana Towle & I) are MTP ambassadors who have attended workshops so we can assist with the grant process. Round #1 deadline is behind us now but stay tuned and have your next project thought through for round #2. As soon as the MSA has more information on timing and forms we will be sharing it with you. If you have a question, problem, concern, or idea on snowmobiling in Maine, get in touch with me. You can contact me at the phone # or email below. Matt a new way to stay comfortable. Base, mid, and outer layers will make your day a pleasant one! Many events are planned for this new sea son. Rangely Snodeo is always a hit place to be. The Pine Tree Camp Ride In, in the Millinocket area, always has some great things to do, along with The County, Green ville, Jackman, and many places in between. Maine has so much to offer in the wintertime. Snowmobiling is big business; it helps our State, and the many supporting companies make it from one season to the next. Be prepared when you ride. If you trailer, check it over, that would be great. Wheels, tires, lug nuts, any broken framework? Always, after each trip, check your lug nuts and torque them if you can. If your tires are cracking, replace them. Make sure all your lights work. Don’t give the SP a reason to pull you over. New GPS programs will be avail able; check them out. Bring a first aid kit and a survival kit. These could save your life or someone else’s. Respect our generous land owners, support our supporting businesses, and join a club. We have over 285 MSA clubs eager for help and to lend a hand. Please be safe out there! Al and talk through landowner issues, potentially resolving issues for your club.

Treasurer’s Report

Lori Hemmerdinger (207) 890-5455 544 Plains Road • Poland, ME 04274 Treasurer@mesnow.com Respectfully Submitted, Lori Hemmerdinger, Treasurer

Mark Chinnock, President 207-754-9874 544 Plains Road, Poland, ME 04274 napadude66@hotmail.com

H ello Everyone,

Monthly Income Monthly Expense

$ 38,128.46 $ 28,949.37 $ 9,179.09 $ 93,956.22 $140,132.46 $139,501.24

Well we are another month closer to “the

Net Revenue

Short Term CD (9/30/25)

From the Executive VP

Checking (9/30/25)

Dedicated Account (9/30/25)

Pay Pal (9/30/25) 0.00 Stripe (9/30/25) - Online Super Raffle $ 1,301.99 Special Events Account (9/30/25) $ 4,987.53 Credit Line (9/30/25) $ - Building Fund (9/30/25) $ 56,849.96 Brian Wass Safety Fund (9/30/25) $ 3,997.00 Scholarship Savings (9/30/25) $ 66,948.57 ($60,000 to be moved to Northeast Bank) Scholarship CD (9/30/25) $ 0.00 Scholarship 12 Month CD (9/30/25) $ 5,114.86 Larry Lafland scholarship Fund (9/30/25) $ 3,049.74 CLUB MEMBERS Once grooming begins submit your trail reports to: EDITOR@MESNOW.COM Please include your name and club affiliation MSA CLUBS: TO ORDER NEEDED $ ITS & JCT SIGNS Contact Mike Grass Sr. MSA Trails Committee 252 Condon Road, Plymouth, ME 04969 207-368-4914 home 207-745-2745 cell Grasslands252@gmail.com TO ORDER CLUB TRAIL SIGNAGE Candice Pinkham, DACF/Snowmobile Program 207-287-4957 Office 207-878-8111 Fax Candice.M.Pinkham @maine.gov

Matt Stedman 207-557-1921 (call or text) PO Box 621, Ashland ME 04732 Stedman.matt@jdirving.com

H ello fellow snowmobilers, Welcome to fall…leaves changing, frosty mornings and here in the County the farmers are getting their potato crop out of the fields. We all know what that means, coming soon… WINTER! You should have received your clubs membership packets from MSA and grant packages from the State by now. Club representatives statewide will continue their relentless work to support snowmobiling and your local community businesses year ‘round. Anyone who is involved understands the

Director of Operations

Alan Swett, 207-872-7282 234 County Rd, Waterville ME 04901 snowtraveler@roadrunner.com A s autumn fades to winter and the first frost settles in. Maine snowmobile rid ers know what’s coming soon! Maine snow! The sound of snowmobiles driving through the Maine pinewoods and crossing some of the most scenic trails in the country. With over 14,000 miles of groomed trails, we are a para

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