7817-R1_MSA_Nov2021_MaineSnowmobiler

MSA Club News

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Windham Drifters Windham, ME

SEBAGO BRANCH DUCKERS Sebago, ME

ALNA, sc Alna, ME Hello All Fellow Readers and Riders, Hope all is well and everyone has their fire- wood all in and sleds ready to ride!

have one, along with a chain saw or loppers, and good boots and gloves. We’re usually done by noon and will serve up lunch back at the clubhouse. Once we get through hunting season, we’ll start putting up trail signs in the fields. In my opinion, we are a very fortunate club when it comes to volunteers. On any given Sunday, we can have up to 20 people show up to do trail work. Many clubs don’t even have 20 members! Over the years, I have spoken with members from other clubs and they are lucky to have three or four people show up for trail work. Often, those volunteers are in their 60’s, 70’s, or older. We have to wonder what will happen to those trail systems when those people can’t do it anymore. Speaking of volunteers, I have to give a shout-out to one of our members who always makes sure our clubhouse and grounds are in great shape. Scottie Hodgdon has been a long- time member of the club. He spends so much time keeping the place clean and pointing out what needs attention. Scottie works two jobs and still finds time to keep the club in great condition. So, thanks Scottie for all you do for the club and the membership! We had a really nice turnout for our annual Chili Cookoff on Saturday October 16th. Lots of members brought their version of their favorite chilis for the competition. There was a tie for first place between Jim Stubinski and Greg Peace, unseating last year’s champ, Steve Soucy. This is becoming a very popular event and we’ll promote next year’s cookoff to the public and see if we can get a local tra- dition started. In closing, dig out your sleds and get them ready to ride. Get them tuned up so you’re ready for that first snow of the year. That goes for your other snowmobile equipment/gear as well. Is the trailer ready to hit the road? Are your boots, gloves, helmet, etc. all in good shape? Don’t wait until the last minute to be ready to ride. Cheers! Doug Doherty, President

Hello Folks, We have made it to November already and lots of work has begun in Windham to prepare for this snowmobile season. Regular meet- ings are taking place and members have been mowing and working on trail tasks. The club received some exciting news recently. The town of Windham is intending to purchase a large parcel of land adjacent to the Lowell Preserve property and both parcels will likely have new snowmobile trails built on them. This is great news for local snowmo- bilers and all others who use our trail system. More news to follow as it come available. For some time now the club has been inves- tigating and researching how to update the club’s grooming equipment. For years we have been maintaining and using dated, Bom- bardier Bombis but they are very expensive to keep operatable and not the easiest machines to operate. In the month of October, the club was offered a great deal by our neighboring Westbrook Snowmobile Club to purchase a used ATV, with tracks and a drag. The club, with the generous funding help from a valu- able club member, purchased the setup and intends to use it this winter and learn the capabilities of it. The club hopes to be able to move toward newer equipment, tracked side by sides with new drags perhaps, in the years ahead. For the club to afford updated equip- ment we need support and funding and we are looking for resources. November and December are very busy months for our club. There are many tasks that need to be completed to get our equipment and trails ready for the snowmobile season ahead. We welcome anyone who can lend a hand with these tasks. Please follow our Facebook page and frequent our website for weekly plans and work days. Lastly, a special Thanks to those dedicated officers and members who work year-round for our club. Follow us on Facebook and visit our web- site windhamdrifters.com THINK SNOW!!! Ride Right and Ride Safe! Till next time, Shane Spencer-Club Reporter

BRING ON THE SNOW! The Sebago Branch Duckers have been busy fixing bridges, widening trails, trimming branches, posting signs, clearing fallen trees, moving rocks and preparing maintenance equipment for the upcoming snow season! One major trail relocation was done on Poor’s Hill to help bypass two water crossings. Be on the lookout for a new improved regional map providing better trail clarity and featuring business members.

We held our first meeting on the 14 th of October at the Alna Fire House, 15 members, baby Levi and Jake the dog were in atten- dance. A great Pot Luck was enjoyed before the meeting. Bridge work off the Lothrop Rd and Averill’s field are two of the Fall projects needed this year. It was decided to partake in the Trick or Trunk this year at the Wiscasset Race Track who is a faithful member of our club and who also graciously let us sell MSA raffle tickets. The club sold $420.00 worth, a great afternoon. Many, many thanks to Alan Swett from MSA who brought the 2 sleds and trailer for raffle to the race track in Wiscasset. It was much appreciated and helped sell the tickets seeing the goods right there! It is with great sadness to advise we lost a faithful member of our club. Priscilla Puckey passed away after declining health. She will be deeply missed as key member of the Enter- tainment Committee and did many things behind the scenes. Sympathy is extended to the entire Puckey family. Cabin work, Light Parade and membership was also discussed. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our Christmas Party on December 2nd, always a fun filled event. John updated us on club funds. Election of officers will be on our agenda for our next meeting. Check us out on FB. Hope you bought a winning ticket from us at the MSA show, we have a good track record in selling some winners! Club Reporter Joel Verney

We welcome new members! You don’t have to be a snowmobile enthusiast to join. All are welcome and any trail maintenance volunteering is much appreciated! Come out for the fresh air, camaraderie or exercise. We welcome any information you have about a trail. We are interested in knowing about fallen trees, areas needing attention, danger- ous trail sections or landowner concerns. It’s our goal to make Sebago trails safe, enjoyable and welcoming to all! Please check out our Sebago Branch Duckers Facebook page for meeting and trail work information. Don’t forget to thank a landowner! Remember, use of their land is a privilege and not a right. Without them, we wouldn’t have any trails! This year’s Branch Ducker’s Club appointees: President: Chris Anderson Membership Chair: Barry Powers Trail Master: Jim Beahm Public Relations: Jim LaPointe

MSA MEMBERS CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Let us know when your USPS mailing address has changed - so you won’t miss an issue of the Maine Snowmobiler Members Name: ______________________________________ Old Mailing Address: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ NEW MAILING ADDRESS: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Mail to: Maine Snowmobile Association, PO Box 80, Augusta, ME 04332 fax: 207-622-7669 or e-mail info to: msa@mesnow.com

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