8306-R2_MSA_March2023

From The Executive Board

H i Everyone

H ello Snow Lovers! A beautiful day here in the coastal region snow is falling with more expected. Long range forecast looks like we may have several days of accumulating snow. Let’s hope it comes true. This month’s “rant” is about riding in control and ride right. Busy weekend on the trails with so many people riding the middle of the trail or completely on the wrong side and riding out of control. I personally had several close calls if I had not been in control and on the right side of the trail it would have been a disaster. How do we teach people to do this? We have kids going to seminars teaching them how to ride. What do we do with the riders that have too much sled and don’t obey the riding code? It is amazing to me that we have not had more accidents or fatalities this year. I love to ride and I dedicate a good portion of my life to snowmobiling. Thank you to all who ride properly, to all that are not..... Maybe you should start now. Getting hurt, or worse, killed... or injuring someone else is not what this sport is about. Please be careful and safe. Dave how it all works can go a long way. This is typically the month where clubs are seeking nominations for officer positions. If you have been a member and would like to be more involved, or have time and skills your club could use, reach out, step up and take on a new challenge for the coming season. It is rewarding (and sometimes challenging) to be a part of an organization that promotes and makes possible something you are passionate about. Get out & enjoy the rest of the season, check out someplace new, support a club & a local business. When mother nature cooperates, March is the best month to ride in my opinion. If you have a question, problem, concern, or idea on snowmobiling in “The County”, get in touch with me. You can contact me at the phone # or email below. Matt Stedman

Central Region VP

Coastal Region VP

Tucker corner.” We really miss having Tanya on display, but it always seems that some peo ple enjoy using their rifles and shotguns to destroy the sign. Plans are in the works for a new sign and a billboard, probably for next fall. Maybe we need to include security cam eras? That’s sad. We had two successful breakfasts this win ter and Sue is planning more meals for March. Watch Facebook next week for the dates. Also, I will continue to send out an email notice to members about these activities, so be sure to let me know your email if you did not include it on your membership application. My email is sue.maynard1236@gmail.com. I’m still trying to get to Escourt Station, but by the time you get this newsletter, I may have accomplished my goal! It’s a hop and a skip from our camp, so it’s reachable. Let’s hope that we have lots more riding for the next few weeks, but it looks as if the trails may break up fairly early, but hoping not. Ride safe. Sue Maynard Secretary So with closing in looks like the little rodent in Pennsylvania was right it should be the best march riding in a couple years. Keep in mind some clubs are running out of fuel cost for grooming help out if you can where you ride. Stay Safe and enjoy the ride. Jim time for so many people spending time in the outdoors with family & friends. Clubs stepped up worked overtime (volunteering) to make sure those headed out have a good time. Trails and businesses were busy everywhere I went from Northern to Western Maine. I continue to be amazed with both the dedication of people to take time out of their lives to do somuch for Snowmobiling inMaine and the generosity of private landowners who allow us there. Thank you for all that you do, it is greatly appreciated and valued by so many who love the sport and need the tourism for their business to survive. This really became apparent as I travelled from Ashland ME to Pittsburg NH for a snowmobile event last week. What an adventure crossing many clubs’ trail systems and seeing all the hard work that has been done to make it possible. As the days get longer, and the sun is warmer, get a non-snowmobiler out for a ride. March is a great month to introduce new It’s the end of February andwinter has finally arrived. In the western clubs have struggled with 50-degree weather and a lot of water this year. Thank you to all the great volunteers to make the riding safe and enjoyable. We also have our fair share of closures this year please check with local clubs for reroutes we all do the best we can. Talking about closures stop and read the signs don’t rely on GPS or maps they are not accurate the local clubs are. On the upside, as I travel around the Central Region, most things are looking good. I have ridden a good deal of the trails north of U.S. Rte 2. It is good grooming and signing was acceptable. Just my opinion, some of the clubs have been working hard to give us safe and enjoyable trails to enjoy, it has not been easy this year, so THANKYOU FORALLYOU DO. Winter is not over yet, be safe and as I always remind you. You don’t always know what’s around the corner or over the hill, so it’s always good to get there at 35MPH then then not getting there at 70MPH. Keep Smiling and if you need me give me a call. OK, who stole Winter? I’m sitting here trying to be upbeat, while ValleyRider’s trail system is in danger of losing 14 miles of trail that brings Snowmobilers in and out of town. ITS87 will stay intact, but visitors or locals will not have a way into or out of town, unless you trailer in and out. This is all I will say about this, except when I get more info will try to pass it on.

David Watson 207-205-1558 412 Roberts Ridge Rd East Waterboro ME 04030 dwatson6841@gmail.com

Jack Lord Home: (207) 672-3915 / Cell: 207-717-7131 17 Dinsmore St. Bingham, ME. 04920 Email: jacklord5256@gmail.com

Northern Region VP

people to our sport. It is typically nice weather to stop beside the trail, take a break, talk, and enjoy the scenery. A little something to think about when using social media to communicate trail concerns or conditions: Trails are maintained by volunteers. The work being done, be it landowner relations, signage or grooming is done in addition to what each of these individuals have for personal & professional commitments. It’s often easy to forget this when we are out and riding along over many different clubs’ trails the number of hours it takes to make it all happen. When asking about trail conditions or bringing up a concern on signage, be polite and tactful. Ask questions and offer solutions rather than being negative. Most of all share this message with those you know who aren’t club members or volunteers. Not everyone can take the time to do trail maintenance and maybe they put $100 in the trail fund box instead, but a gentle reminder of

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

H ello Fellow Snowmobilers, As I write my article school vacation week is underway. This is always an exciting

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 Rd • 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

Western Region VP

James Boyce, 207-265-6512 1168 Fosterhill Rd, Freeman ME 04983 Jboyce1168@gmail.com

MSA Club News

he will make it there next year for sure. Speaking of trails, I was sent a copy of our annual trail inspection of ITS#81 done each year by the MSA. The last few years it has been done by past MSA President John Monk. John gave our trail a perfect score, stating that in 13 years of doing inspections, this is the first time he has ever given a perfect score. The club would like to recognize and thank the following for your hard work and dedica tion to this, and all our trails:::: Patrick & Kim Joyce, Randy Bates, Chris Smith and John Hartt ~~~ WELL DONE, you should be very proud!!!! On a sad note, it is regret that I tell you that Keith Sanford, Snowgang President, has resigned his position effective immediately due to taking on a new job with MDOT and personal reasons. The Snowgang would like to thank Keith for his service and dedication to the club. WELL DONE SON!! Club VP Randy Bates will serve as President until elec tions are held in April. Well, I have to go get the mountain lion some breakfast ~~ before I get eaten!!!!!!!!!

BENEDICTA SNOW GANG Benedicta, ME

Deadlines for club news is the 25 th of the month prior to the publications. Please submit articles to editor@mesnow.com

Hi Gang, Here we are in the middle of school vaca tion and there is a lot going on. The trails are flat and fast everywhere, and you are either at the basketball tournaments or riding a trail somewhere. The Snowgang just finished the annual Plunkett Pond Fishing Derby, spon sored by the Patrick & Kim Joyce family. It was a great day to fish and the turnout was great. There were a lot more sponsors this year with a host of prizes, so a lot of people walked away happy. A huge THANK YOU to Pat & Kim and all the sponsors who made this event great!! Our membership is still growing, with our total at 135 as of this writing. It is still easy to join the club, just go to www.benedictasnow gang.com or give me a call at 207.365.7276. On a totally unrelated note, “Bravo Man”, who was supposed to be in a couple of locations on our trails this season, has been delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. I am told

NORTHERN REGION

CHAPMAN RIDGE RUNNERS sc Chapman, ME

Dear Members, It has been a busy season so far, with a new groomer and a new drag in use. The groom ing crew has been hard at work training on the new machine and tweaking the new drag. It was a rough start for the season, with snow, then rain, and repeat! Now we’ve finally got lots of snow. The trails are great and there are lots of riders out there. As we’ve ridden around the county, it is evident that other clubs have also had trouble establishing a good base on the trails-it’s a work in progress. We have also extended our 105 south trail to “Tanya

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