7817-R1_MSA_Nov2021_MaineSnowmobiler

Eastern Maine Snowmobilers Recipients of the 2020 Maine Spirit of America Foundation Award

On May 3, 2021, the Eastern Maine Snowmobilers was awarded the 2020 Maine Spirit of America Foundation Award. Presented by State Representative Peter Lyford. In his recognition, Representative Lyford wrote the following: “In my service to the good people of District 129, it is always a pleasure to recognize significant achievements in the lives of area citizens. With so much of our state and nation having been shut down last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am delighted the opportunity still presents itself for me to acknowledge Eastern Maine Snowmobil- ers, Inc.’s receipt of the 2020 Spirit of America Foundation Award in honor of its self- less volunteerism.” On behalf of our clubs and the members of the Maine Snowmobile Association, we want to congratulate the Eastern Maine Snowmobilers for this awesome recognition. We salute you!

Groomer Spotlight

NORTHERN REGION - By Donna Horrigan SNOW-Much more to Snowmobiling than jumping on your sled and riding!!!

WESTERN REGION The Frechette Family – Generations of Groomers & Club Members

I n the late 1960’s, Oliver Frechette Jr. being one of the original founders of Streaked Mountain- eers Snowmobile Club, groomed trails with an old Ski-Doo and a homemade drag made from angle iron from an old bed frame. It served the purpose, as snow- mobiles didn’t go at a very high speed back then. Oliver Jr. died suddenly at the age of 65. He would have been ecstatic with a big grin on his face if he had the chance to drive the current groomers. His son Roland started groom- ing the same trails at the age of 15, using an old 10 horse Ski-Doo

get grooming updates and haz- ards/logging operation updates also. But for years has been a Lone-Ranger out on the club Trail System... doing what needs to be done to keep everyone safe that ride the ELWR Club Trail System. His volunteering doesn’t stop with the club... He also heads up rides for the residents of Northern Maine General and he also has hosted outings for the residents getting them outdoors in the fresh air and on the trail helping out with light club tasks. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Fred’s sidekick Dave Leclere. He has been involved with the club for 2 years now as a newbie to Aroostook County, he is often seen with Fred doing trail work, wrenching on club equip- ment and the groomer and also any projects that need to be done at the ELWR Club Garage... Dave is your man... if you see him out on the trail don’t confuse him for a Sasquatch... he is a tall man in stature and nicknamed Bigfoot for a reason... and probably the hap- piest person I know... if you see him out on the trail working stop and say Hi!!! These two men are an inspi- ration to us all in the Eagle Lake Winter Riders providing us all with many years of knowledge, well-marked trails and more importantly, safe trails for that all travel through.

and a homemade drag. He grad- uated on to the use of an Alpine, Skandic, an old 1978 Bombi, and Sno Cats in more recent years. He loved grooming in the middle of the night and loved watching the sun rise from atop Streaked Mountain. These days he prefers daytime hours! Grandson Scott recently moved back to Buckfield and is eager to continue the grooming tradition. He enjoys taking his kids Paisley, age 5 and Oliver, age 1 1/2 to also get the grooming bug. You can catch Paisley on the mountain trail riding her Arctic Cat ZR 200 when not grooming.

I would like to give a HUGE SHOUT OUT to two of Eagle Lake Winter Riders members and volunteers... Fred Michaud and Dave Leclere. I am so inspired by the years of dedication and tire- less hours of work done by these two gentlemen... not only during the snowmobile season... trail work and maintenance of build- ings and equipment are a year round commitment! Fred has been the club Trail Master for 30 years. The Eagle Lake Winters Riders is a club in a small town, with a small vol- unteer base as well. Fred is 73... years young and is the one of the constants in the club doing trail work and signage as well as men- toring anybody willing to help. The local country store is where you can find him rallying the few volunteers he can muster up, fre- quently updating the Eagle Lake Winter Riders Kiosk that is located in the store so that Sledders can

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