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Northern Region VP the dedication of people to take time out of their lives to do so much for Snowmobiling in Maine and the generosity of private landowners who allow us there. As a group of snowmobilers, we need to do a bit of hard work. Two things on my mind that I would like to ask you to think about & help in any way possible. 1. Getting more funding into the Snowmobile Program. We are asking the legislature through LD280 to increase our registration fees & split the increase funding 50% to the trail grant & 50% to the capital equipment grant. This will help put more money on the ground in our trail systems. It’s the only way I see to keep going forward as costs increase to do the work. This will take many of us talking to other snowmobilers, businesses & our legislators to make sure they know how our system works. If you have questions or need more information, please reach out & ask. 2. Snowmobile trail safety. As I groom & ride I see patterns of riding on the trails and have the misfortune of meeting others in not so nice places. It is up to all of us to call out riders we know riding in an unsafe manner in Eastern Region VP watching the national news some nights was difficult as places that don’t want, don’t need and don’t know what to do with snow but received feet of it. I kept saying to the TV, “Send it to Maine, we want it and will use it!” Nobody listened, but believe me I tried. With this being March, we will be winding down the season in many areas and getting ready to close up shop for another year. There will still be some places that you can ride until the end of the month, and if you are lucky into the first of April. So many clubs did not meet in person this year, and fund-raising events couldn’t happen. I truly hope this doesn’t mean next year we report of clubs that closed the doors and can’t re-open as they have no funds to operate with. This is also the last edition of the MSA paper for this season. Mike Grass, John Monk and the Steering Committee had a goal to get us back to publishing seven editions this year and that has happened! I cannot thank Lori Hemmerdinger and Bob Flagg enough for the wonderful job they have done. Lori has gotten articles for the papers and brought the family aspect back in to it. Each month has had great interest stories that show what snowmobiling in Maine is about. She has worked with the graphics company and made sure everything is in place. Bob has worked with the printers to make sure they have the member address lists and

Coastal Region VP

they get the paper out in a timely manner. My hat is off to all who have made the paper something to be extremely proud of! MSA’s annual meeting date is sched- uled for May 1st at this time. The Steer- ing Committee is still hoping we can do some type of program this year as we couldn’t last year. By the time you read this, nominations for the awards will have closed and nominations for next year’s positions will be coming out, if they haven’t already. Again, with us not being able to hold monthly MSA Direc- tors meeting in person, the year seems dis-jointed, but we keep moving forward. Watch for info on this annual event as it gets closer. Keep you fingers crossed we can do it in person! I have said it many times and will con- tinue to say the praises of all the clubs in the state, but particularly all the clubs I represent in the Eastern Region. Year after year Eastern Region clubs are top selling Super Raffle clubs and in the top list of membership clubs. The Eastern Region may not have a 1,000 member club like the Western Region does, but they do a great job getting as many mem- bers as they can. All of you deserve to be recognized for your hard work and dedication to snowmobiling in Maine!! Thank you for making my position eas- ier, just by being who you are!! Eileen the moment. Sleds are all 4ft wide. If you are not leaving at least that much space between you and the other side of the groomed trail than you are not “riding right”. If you do not know the trails, where the corners are, etc than you must ride accordingly. Hazards lurk around every corner. Please take the time to speak with someone about snowmobile safety, lead a ride with new riders & demonstrate the right way to ride. If we can all impact our circle of friends to ride safer than our trails will be better, and more folks will return home from their trip the same way they left. Get out & enjoy the rest of the season, check out someplace new, support a club & a local business. March is the best month to ride in my opinion. Thank you to those who have reached out to ask questions & provide ideas to improve the way we interact with the membership. 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

We’ll here it is the beginning of March we made it through a very tough year all around. Hopefully you all got a chance to get out and ride with what little snow we have. So let’s hope next season is much better. As for the western region we are still grooming but no snow in sight we’ll hang on for as long as we can and if you get a chance to ride, do it time is running out! The one thing I’ve learned this year is we have to all work together and make this sport better and safer for all. Until next year ENJOY THE RIDE AND STAY SAFE!!! Jim closer to home then I remember and the Park and Ride areas are full most days. Here in the Central Region we are looking for a couple of Regional Directors and a couple of Trail Inspectors for season 2021-2022, if you are interested please give me a call and I will explain what would be asked of you. It’s not a lot and would let you help with the direction the MSA will be going in the future. Helping maintain the MSA is just as important as maintaining the trails, without their help the clubs can’t provide the trail system we now have. O.K. I’m coming down from my Pulpit and stop preaching. I do want you to remember if you need me for any reason, just call. If I don’t know the answer or it’s something I can’t do, I know where to find the answer or can find the help Keep Smiling, Be Safe Jack Lord trail BBQ’s and clubs who opened a “To Go” window for burgers and dogs. The virtual snow race was a huge success!! Thank you to all who participated. Clubs across the state continued to do excellent trail work clearing trails that were covered by trees. Finally, the snow came and the best trails in the East were groomed and ready to ride. Thank you to all our groomers & volunteers for the incredible work you do. I would also add a huge thanks to all the landowners who allow us to ride your land. Thank you to all Businesses who continue to support us. Many changes, who knows what next year will bring. Whatever it is, I am sure we can handle it. As I write this there is more riding to be done, that is exactly what I plan to do Ride right, ride safe, Enjoy our beautiful state. Dave

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

G reetings to all, As we start to wind down this crazy snowmobile season, I look back at all that has happened. It say’s a lot about our Snowmobile Community. From the beginning of the “pandemic” we all put our masks on, we are masters at Zoommeetings, every club thought of new ways to raise money- fireside

Eileen Lafland, 207-843-7813 PO Box 733, Holden ME 04429 llafland@midmaine.com W OW!!! One year has passed since COVID and here we are still bat- tling it. It does seem like we are making gains, which is a good thing. Let’s hope we keep going in the right direction. Even though 2021 hasn’t been the best year temperature and snow wise for most of my region, what we have received the clubs have done a great job of working with so little. I am so grateful for ALL THE VOLUNTEERS who have the best they can to open trail, open them again after severe wind and rainstorms, groom what snow they have received and allow us to do what we love to do. I will say

Central Region VP

H i Everyone, Well it’s February 23rd, we got 4 inches of snow last night and I’m sitting here in a balmy 43 degrees today. Someone forgot to tell Mother Nature it’s supposed to stay cold after it snows. For the most part, it’s been a good snowmobile season. The virus has kept everyone fairly close to home, there has been more traffic on the trails Jack Lord Home: (207) 672-3915 / Cell: 207-717-7131 Email: jacklord5256@gmail.com

Western Region VP

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 this article it is the end of school vacation week. We had some fresh snow at the beginning of the week to help everyone out. Snowmobilers showed up! Trails and businesses were busy, clubs & their volunteers stepped up and provided a great product for all to enjoyt. I continue to be amazed with both

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

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