7881-R1_MSA_Feb2022_MaineSnowmobiler

From The Executive Board

From the President

coast. We can only hope we get pummeled! MSA continues to make small changes and advancements in the way our office operates. We will be actively looking for an “Office Director” in the near future to finally take on some of the day-to-day operations, currently being done by our awesome Executive VP, Al Swett. As some of you may have noticed, our balance sheets are in the positive for the first time in many years. Those balances are the result of not having an Executive Director for a while now and the hard work of the volunteers of the MSA Steering Committee, Executive board and all of our MSAmembers. The Covid 19 Pandemic struck just as we were actively looking for a replacement for Bob Meyers. As luck would have it, with all our revenue streams in jeopardy, we decided to wait to hire someone until we knew what our revenue numbers would look like once things returned to normal. Well, here we are, two years later, and Covid still lingers on. However, we have had two years to learn how every operation related to our “business operations”. We have figured out more efficient, less expensive ways to do almost everything. We are also working on an easier way to do memberships as many of you have been asking for that. Our new MSA website It’s been a busy January, starting off in Strong with Mark, Lori and Mike for a well- attended trail signage workshop. We had nine clubs involved and a full house at the church! By the way we ate good - the food was incredible! Off to Oxford for another MSA meeting at Jerry Major’s home grounds. Terry Major and her crew put together a great night with another awesome feed! The meeting was great, and we got to meet another group of MSA volunteer’s that get it done...thanks to you all. Another weekend heading to Rangeley at minus 24 degrees! This time Snodeo lots of sleds, a well put together radar run, snow-cross at the Airport along with a nighttime parade and fireworks ended a successful event. The area VP’s have been out doing what they do best...and they are a great group, getting the divided areas organized for the upcoming winter. Yes, we’re a little behind but you take what mother nature gives is. Lots ing amount of new Snowmobiles sold in the last 24 months, which means a few important things to us. One is, with more new sleds comes more new riders which means that it is more important than ever to make sure these new riders are educated to the proper etiquette on the trail. How to dress and pack for chang- ing temps and conditions, and how to accu- rately read trail signs, because we all know firsthand that circumstances can change on the Trail and a good day of riding can quickly go bad. So please let’s all set these new riders up for success and show them the best ways to enjoy the sport. This brings me to my second point, which is that it is super important, more than ever we as Clubs need to make sure that our Signage is up to a standard that we all like it to be. That a rider, novice or expert, knows where he or she is at all times on the Trails and that when they pull up to an intersection that they will know where they are and where they’re headed. Now I really don’t mean to preach to the choir, and I absolutely get the fact that most all of the Clubs out there are working with very few “active” members who are busting butt to give snowmobilers the best product that they can. But on the flip side we assume a certain sense of responsibility to make certain that our Trails are signed to the best of our ability. As I said earlier, we totally understand the Man- power issue. Just food for thought but there is nothing that says that a Club can’t dedicate and “Hire” one person, possibly a retiree that may have the time in the Fall, and his or her responsibility would be to see that the signs were clearly marked, not faded, with backers etc. Anything from writing them out to put- ting them out on the Trail and everything in between. I also realize that there is a fine line between being paid and being a volunteer. I guess what I am trying to say is it is an option H i Folks

is rolling out any day now and will be an exciting tool for clubs and members to use. Great things are happening at MSA. Now is the time to send in your best snowmobiling photos for our annual photo contest. Also, be thinking of that person, club or business that needs to be recognized for the commitment to the sport we love. Nominate that person, club or business for an MSA award and see them recognized at the annual banquet and meeting. I got my second ride of the season today and got to say the groomers are doing a lot with a little. I sure hope the “Blizzard” hits and helps all the clubs statewide. As I rode today, I was thinking of a friend who was in an accident last weekend. He had multiple injuries and is looking at probably months of rehab and missed work. It all happened in a second. Please be careful out there folks, as it can all change in a heartbeat. Luckily, he survived and will be with us to hopefully ride again. Be safe out there folks. Enjoy the season and get as many rides as you can because you can’t ride in August! Until next month, Think Snow, Mike of sub-zero temperatures finally made it to Maine and created a strong base or foundation for the trails. Many clubs will be holding events in February from pig roasts to hot dog cookouts. Check out the MSA website for their dates. Or their online sites. Get out and support the club’s and the local businesses that help us in the sport we all love. Respect the Landowner’s, over 90% of our system is on private property. PLEASE STAY ON THE MARKED TRAIL. We’ve had lots of complaints from rider’s going off trail, over house steps, yes someone got close to a family’s camp and ran over the porch. You people who do stunts like that will ruin it for the rest of us. So, enjoy the best trails in the Northeast! Made by the best clubs, the best landowner’s and the best businesses, small club or large you make our state a great place to ride a snowmobile! Thanks for all you do! Al and can be expensed out through a Club’s Grant, with signage being as important as it is and Manpower being as limited as it is, I would rather see this type of scenario than no signs at all. As far as the Trails Committee goes, we have been very busy with boots on the ground Trail Inspections and Workshops, I have an unbelievably passionate group of people with years of various experience and know how to get things done for sure! So to all the Snow- mobilers out there, the season is short so let’s all go out and enjoy a little throttle therapy, be safe and have fun! As always, if anyone has questions on any- thing talked about here or just wants to talk snowmobiling, please reach out to me, I would love to hear from you. Till next time, thanks for reading. Mark

ing almost if not every area a place to play. The last few years it has been a bit (OK, a whole lot) stingy in some areas so make the most of it all. To be honest, clubs in the last few years have done incredible trail prep with excavation and leveling making many trails extremely good with minimal snow. Your past work is now paying dividends. Incredible work all! I personally have now had a chance to get out and sledding is all that I remembered. I, along with the rest of you need to do a better job at sharing and educating this fun with oth- ers. I will share one positive out of this and I am a bit embarrassed to share. My boss just clicked off a 230-mile weekend and I am cur- rently at 40 miles. The cool part of this is my boss has never rode a sled before. Pick it up, MONK! Since we are rolling now, please take the time to really dig deep and consider who and how to thank those who have and continue to allow this playground to happen. This is not hard, but the added step that makes the dif- ference of which directions we take into the future. Be respectful, appreciative, and thank- ful for what lays in front of you. On the legislative front, LD-1813 will be heard soon. This is the bill that affects the weight of ATV’s. While the outcome is not our immediate concern, any landowner that allows us use is. Please be safe, but get out there! Lori Hemmerdinger (207) 890-5455 544 Plains Road • Poland, ME 04274 Treasurer@mesnow.com Treasurer’s Report Respectfully Submitted, Lori Hemmerdinger, Treasurer Monthly Income $ 39,377.04 Monthly Expense $ 23,181.29 Net Revenue $ 16,195.75 Checking (1/31/22) $215,261.85 DedicatedAccount (1/31/22) $ 83,255.12 Pay Pal (1/31/22) $ - Special EventsAccount (1/31/22) $ 4,987.53 Credit Line (1/31/22) $ - Building Fund (1/31/22) $ 53,816.61 BrianWass Safety Fund (1/31/22) $ 1,285.07 CLUB MEMBERS Once grooming begins Submit your trail reports to: MSA@MESNOW.COM Please include your name and club affiliation

Mike Grass, Jr., 207-368-2316 249 Condon Rd, Plymouth ME 04969 mgrassjr@gmail.com

H ere we are in the heart of Maine snowmobile season. Many clubs are actively grooming and doing a fantastic job with the amount of snow they have. As I write this a “Blizzard” is taking aim at the US east

From the Executive VP

Alan Swett, 207-872-7282 234 County Rd, Waterville ME 04901 snowtraveler@roadrunner.com Executive VP Report

Trails Committee Chair Report

Mark Chinnock,Trails Committee Chair 207-754-9874 435 Poland Corner Rd, Poland ME 04274 napadude66@hotmail.com H ello Everyone, Well I am happy to say that as I write this it is late afternoon and I have just sat down from a long day of plowing what would be the biggest snowfall of the season, and by the time you read this I hope to have done that a few more times! By now I hope that everyone has had some quality seat time, whether it be on your sled or in the Groomer, both have a great sense of satisfaction in their own way. If you haven’t had a chance yet you should make a point to try and find the time because right now there is some amazing riding all over the State, from the Western Maine Mountains to Aroostook County, Down East and most all Southern areas of the State. One thing I think we can all agree on is the fact that there has been an overwhelm-

Steering Committee

John Monk Chairman of Steering Committee

H ello Riders,

ITS HERE! What we are waiting for has come and from what is visible, it is giv-

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