8014-R6_MSA_May2021_MaineSnowmobiler

Special Edition Season Wrap Up

An Official Publication of the Maine Snowmobile Association of The Maine Snowmobiler f t r r

2022 MSA Snowmobiler of the Year Ossie Stanley

for over 50 years. He has become a fixture in the Katahidin area and was overwhelmingly nominated by several of his peers. Over the years, he has held many positions with the club and is currently Trail Master. In this role, he volunteers hundreds of hours annually to make sure the trails are in top shape. Everyone in the area knows Ossie and for that, he is the go to person for most issues. He works with the foresters, the landowners and the local businesses to make sure the trail system is the best it can be. Ossie has been the rock that holds the club together. There is nothing that Ossie won’t do for the club, day or night. When something needs to be done, he will gather a crew and make it happen. Whether big or small Ossie outlines the task at hand and plans the best course of action. His leadership skills are like no other; he leads by example and is often the first person at the clubhouse when help is needed with groomer issues or the first man out working on trails in the fall. Fellow club member Joe Raymond sums it up “Throughout our fifty year journey we have looked continuously toward Ossie for the needs of the club trails and he has never let us or the club down. For nothing would have been possible without his devotion to the task at hand.” Ossie is a true legend in our sport and it is with great honor that the Maine Snowmobile Association names Ossie Stanley as the 2022 MSA Snowmobiler of the year.

E very Club in the MSA needs a person who just knows what needs to be done and doesn’t hesitate to volunteer their time or resources to help out. Family Fun days, Pig Roasts, Drag Races, something for everyone who wants to come join in. Man the Booth at the MSA show, Grommer Rodeo and Game night. Just name any activity and there is the person who says, “What do you need me to do?” “How can I help?” These are just a couple of simple sentences that always seem to come up whenever he is around. Mention something that is missing and he’s gone off to remedy it. A genuine smile as wide as the Grand Canyon and a heart of Gold. Want to get something done at the last minute? Pick up the phone and call. Imagine being at it so long that some of your active club members are third generation. He didn’t do it by himself but he most certainly had a hand in it, and certainly inspired others to jump in to just get it done. Ossie Stanley has been a pillar in the East Branch Snow Rovers & ATV Club

An Off-Season Special Publication of the Maine Snowmobile Association May 2022 • Vol. 53 • No. 8 MSA, PO Box 80, Augusta ME 0433 www.mainesnowmobileassociation.com 2

Find us on Facebook

United we trail, divided we fail

The Maine Snowmobile Association Presents...

Fri 4-9PM Sat 9AM – 8PM Sun 9AM – 3PM October 21-22-23 2022

Exit 112 Off I-95 + Augusta, Maine AUGUSTA CIVIC CENTER

P.O. Box 80 Augusta, ME 04332 207-622-6983 mesnow.com FREE PARKING

Admission:

SPONSORED BY

$8

TRAIL WORKSHOP r SLEDDING DESTINATIONS r TRAIL MAPS r LODGING r SNOWMOBILES TRAILERS r GEAR r CLOTHING r ACCESSORIES r MSA SNOWMOBILE CLUBS PRIZE DRAWINGS r IF&W r DACF r MSA SCHOLARSHIP 50/50 r MSA SUPER RAFFLE

2022 MSA Dealer of the Year Central Maine Powersports By Al Swett

This year we are privileged to honor a dealer from Lewiston that goes above and beyond when supporting our snowmobile clubs. Central Maine Powersports is Maine’s largest Powersports dealer. They have a superstore with millions in inventory from Polaris, Honda and

Yamaha. Franchised with those big names along with snowmobile trailers and many aftermarket parts, accessories and clothing. They can outfit you with everything you need to get on the trail. A full service department to keep your toys going strong.

They are one of the largest supporter to snowmobile clubs in the state. They hold many events that benefit both snowmobilers, ATV folks, and motorcycle riders. For many years they have been a huge supporter at the MSA Snowmobile Show Craig told me last year during

the pandemic “Even if I don’t have much inventory I’ll still be there to shake hands” He and his staff came and had a great display as always. We thank you for all you do! Congratulations to Craig and his elite team from Central Maine Powersports

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 #

#

Kathryn Smith of the Eastern Maine Snowmobilers recipient of the MSA Scholarship.

2

2 0 2 2

y

M a

l M a i n e S n o w m o b

i l e

r

thank them enough. I invited him to the show last year, He said “ I don’t have much to show but I’ll be there if only to see customers and shake their hand” Central Maine Powersports has great leadership and their customer service is outstanding. The membership award’s: Rangeley Lakes SC, Washburn Trail Runner’s, Moosehead Riders, Madawaska SC, Northern Timber Cruiser’s, Penobscot SC, Bridgton Easy Riders, Red Arrow SC Arnold Trail SC and The Border Rider’s. Thanks for your support and making snowmobiling in Maine the best! On a safety note, we had many serious accidents from all over the state. Four fatalities and my heart goes out to those families. I’d like to thank Mike Grass for his friendship and leadership over the last few years. Also, the entire MSA team you make it happen and it’s proven with your winning reputation! Ride Safe! AL With the help of all of you, the MSA is poised to open the search of a new Spokesman or Exec utive Director to bring us forward into the next decade. This should open fairly soon and if you know someone, send them to us. As of the annual meeting, we now have in place one of the most devoted, experienced and true to the sport Presidents with Al Swett, and our future looks incredible. His new team’s loyalty is unwav ering and can’t be second guessed. Kind words aimed at the steering committee rung through out the annual meeting, on the recent track record and we all remain committed to seeing new leaps in areas of insurance, online mem bership and club agreements with the MSA and making them ALL flourish collectively. While a summer break is needed, behind the scenes, the gears will be a churning. While the Sunday hunting bill is dead, there is (as always) another pop-up backlash that has been stirred up for legality. From many on the landowner side, and clearly demonstrated from the IFW survey results, the subject is really getting a bit long-in-the-tooth. It just may be reaching a point where our long accepting peo ple are going to say “too much is too much” and call an end to it all. This is a clear example of “Careful what you wish for”. As always, we will continue to listen closely. Since it was 94 degrees in May, I am seri ously thinking it is time to roll on into summer. I would like to say thanks to you all for the great conversations, rides, meetings, interactions and all other events related to one of the greatest events out there! Snowmobiling! Be Well Everyone! John Monk I’ve had a great ride as VP and President. I’ve met some really great people over these years which includes all of you. I’ve had great trails, scenery, meals, conversations and mostly camaraderie with passionate snowmobilers all over this state. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and appreciate all of you, the “MSA family”. I hope to continue to see and talk with you all at meetings, restaurants, trail side stops and anywhere else sled talk is happening. Think Snow and Thank You, Mike did the work and here we are today, having our Annual Directors Meeting and Awards banquet rewarding some amazing volunteers for their outstanding work. I need to thank some people. Al Swett, Lori Hemmerdinger and Brad Barker, thank you for being my VP, Treasurer and Secretary. Thank you to VP’s Matt Stedman, Eileen Lafland, Jack Lord, Jim Boyce and Dave Watson. To all my Regional Directors, Committee Chairs and Committee members, Thank you. You all work hard for your local club and then volunteer for MSA too. To all the MSA clubs and all of your members, Thank you. MSA starts with you and couldn’t function without all of you making it happen each winter. I’d like to thank the members of the Steering Committee for your countless hours making sure MSA is open for business every day. And I’d also like to thank our partners at the Dept. of ACF, Snowmobile Division, Joe, Lana and Candice. Our relationship with your office is irreplaceable. One last thank you to my wife Brandy, Thank you for letting me go wherever, whenever I needed to, sometimes on a moment’s notice and letting me do what I love.

H ello! Well it was quite a season, quick with lots of snow in some spots, not much in others. However, the clubs came through once again! They did an outstanding job with what they had to work, the signage has improved, the groomed trails could only last so long because some areas were overloaded with snowmobiler’s. It was good for the businesses and helped the groomer jars on counters at many stores. Snowmobile registrations increased as did MSAmembership. We are a great team that has a passion for Maine snowmobiling that is second to none. Everybody wants to come to Maine, rather it be from the far south or just next door with the Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, New Brunswick, or Quebec. It’s great to have these folks come to experience our trails and make new lifelong friendships. The annual banquet was a big success filled with real emotions. We have awarded some March took us to Island Falls and the Northern Region Showcase ride. Even a soaking rain couldn’t wipe the smiles off the riders faces as the trails were table top flat. Our lunch that day in Linneus and meeting that night were at new to me clubhouses as well. Wet but fun day. I finished up my riding season the last weekend in March by hooking up with my buddy Gary Marquis and heading to the Cold Mtn SC cookout at Therio-ville Maple products in Grand Isle. We found some great trails even though it was warm and our day ended in the rain. Overall, I had a pretty good season considering the roller coaster distributing the Maine ITS Map. Along with that we put on several “Trail Signage Workshops” across the State to try and raise awareness and to educate ourselves and our clubs on proper Signage techniques, to make it the best snowmobiling experience we can possibly make for our Riders. With that said, the committee is comprised of 40 or so likeminded passionate volunteer snowmobilers. The number of hours spent by these volunteers in the course of a season is really a tough calculation, but I can tell you for certain that the committee spent a little over 250 hours just on ITS inspections, and probably another 250 hours on everything else “Trail Related”. The committee processed and submitted well over 100 ITS Trail inspections to the Dept. of ACF, which totals up over 2,000 miles of trail, rode this past season. Once again, we as a whole state saw some very diverse conditions with a mid to late January start for most, and a warm up that ended the season in the Southern 2/3rds of the state way to early. The exceptions to that were Aroostook County and the Jackman area, which saw a late surge in weather to extend the season. The Western Maine Mountains and Millinocket areas saw marginal to adequate snow conditions, but somehow the season just does not seem long enough for most. So, I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 4 years as Trails Committee Chair, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work with, but I find myself continuing my MSA journey in a different direction which forces me to pass the torch back on to Mike Grass Jr. For a few years. Thank you for letting me serve you on this committee, and I’ll see you right back here this Fall as your executive vice president. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer. Thank you, Mark. A long hard day but worth it in the end. On that trip, we hit a new place to eat, The Mill Yard in Danforth. Great Food stop if you’re in the area. I did my annual trip to Frenchville with dad and the crew but had to cut it short because of the impending blizzard at the end of January. I think they overrated it a bit. I got to ride from home for a couple trips with minimal snow in central Maine and ended up trailering quite a bit. We had another successful Eastern Region Showcase ride in Millinocket which also had “new to me trail” (Thanks to our guide Larry) with awesome views of Katahdin. The end of February brought another first time adventure for me as my buddy John Monk and I ventured to Island Pond, Vermont for the ISC, N E Chapter meeting and ride. Met some really great people with the same passion for snowmobiling that we have. Great interactive meetings, roundtable discussions and a fun ride on the Vermont trail system. Looking forward to MSA hosting this meeting next season in Caribou and showing them our great trails and scenery.

incredible people with much deserved plaques and trophies. But you’re all winners! From the club of the year Lexington Highlander’s and their awesome chicken cookouts, the new first ever MSA Youth Award to the Border Rider’s Sawyer Stone! To all the winners we cannot succeed without your dedication. The Hall Of Fame winners Marion Pinkham and Jim Splan....My buddy Ossie Stanley is the Snowmobiler of the year, The one and only Dwight Flewelling Groomer of the year, Shaker Hill Outdoors in Poland for Supporting Business of the year. Our dealers of the year always come out strong at Super Raffle time and donate two snowmobile trailers. From the industries two largest manufacturer’s right here in Central Maine ALCOM from Winslow and up the road in Pittsfield NITRO. Another Dealer of the Year this, is a dealer in Lewiston that wrote the book on getting involved with our snowmobile clubs they donate and donate to the clubs we cannot I think the MSA is in a good place right now, considering all we have been through over the last three years. Having our Executive Director and Office Manager/Editor of 20+ years retire and leave no road map, guidance or procedures in place. Covid 19 taking away our dinners, gatherings and events, only to make us learn how to “Zoom”. We were left wondering how do we make MSA work and what are our revenue sources going to be. Needless to say, we dug in, Steering Committee Chair Report weather. About 3 years ago now, I asked then President John Monk, our Executive Director and Al Swett to meet me in Waterville at Governors for dinner. That night, I asked Al Swett to be my Vice President. He was quite surprised but said he would think about it and talk to Val about it. Luckily, for me, He decided to take me up on it. Looking back now, that was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made as Al has been a godsend to me and MSA. Al has been the unofficial/official photographer for many years and had taken on the hat of safety officer. A role he truly loves, but unbeknownst to us, our Exec Director would retire and Covid would hit us within a couple months of each other. Al stepped up to the plate and drove to the office 3-5 days a week to make sure there was someone there to answer the phone. He worked with three different people until we found Liz. She and Al have been manning the office together since the Snowmobile Snow in October and they are a great team. Thank You Al, for being more than my VP. You’re a great man, friend, snowmobile buddy and more. You have made my time as President that much better having you by my side.

From the President

Mike Grass, Jr., 207-368-2316 249 Condon Rd, Plymouth ME 04969 mgrassjr@gmail.com E very year now for about 15 years, I’ve tried to ride with someone new, ride a new to me trail and try a new place to eat on the trail. This year I was very successful on all counts. This year I rode with Wayne Hawes of Newport (twice actually) and Steve Hennigan of Newport. Second try went better as the first time his Arctic Cat only made it a mile before a “Catastrophic” failure! I actually rode with more new people but I’ll talk about that in a minute. I rode new trail with my buddies Brent and John as we did a marathon run we call the Spaulding Sled Safari from EMSC clubhouse to Brent’s camp in Portage. 292 miles from 7:00 am to 10:15 pm.

From the Executive VP

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

Trails Committee Chair Report

John Monk Chairman of Steering Committee monksdoomopars@hermon.net

Mark Chinnock,Trails Committee Chair 207-754-9874, napadude66@hotmail.com 435 Poland Corner Rd, Poland ME 04274 A nd just like that we’re knocking on the door of Summer once again, and by all rights coming off of another successful snowmobiling season. The MSA Trails Committee had a very busy but encouraging winter, and for those of you who are not very familiar with who the Trails Committee is and what we actually do, here is a quick synopsis for you. The M.S.A. Trails Committee is a committee under the umbrella of the M.S.A. and contracted with Dept. Of agriculture, conservation and forestry each year, and put in place to assist Joe Higgin’s office, the snowmobile division of the Dept. Of A.C.F. and acts as a liaison between the Dept. And the clubs to assist in the inspection of all ITS trail though out the state, as well as any Trail related issues that might come up, as well as we are responsible for preparing, printing and

H ello All,

Congratulations to the winners of the 21-22 year for their incredible showings of effort to Maine’s winter season. While they are all sig nificant, the Rangeley Lakes Membership Drive of making each and every rider carry a portion of the load goes above and beyond. These ladies behind this effort are some creative, resourceful souls. Additionally, if you have ever explored the trails of Easton, you’ll find arguably the most well placed, signed and manicured trail system in the state. Congrats to you, Dwight Flewelling for Groomer of the Year honors. I could go on infinitely, but I have a few points I should probably hit that are a bit more related to my topic. With all seriousness, congratulations to all our shining members of the year on their respective awards winnings.

3

o b i

w m

l e r

0 2 2 l M a i n e S n o

a y 2

M

Eastern Region VP

Northern Region VP

Coastal Region VP

that you do. Without every volunteer hour we could not accomplish the tasks at hand to enable the season to happen. We continue to grow in snowmobile traffic in the Northern Region as riders from all over discover the large amount of trail options, great supporting businesses, and amazing trail conditions/length of season we have to offer. I even heard of some 3- & 10-day registrations in late March by folks trying to extend their season by coming to the County. Keep up the good work folks, this all drives an instant economic boost to the rural communities our trails weave through and many of these folks will come back and tell their friends about it too! Clubs now are looking forward to summer groomer maintenance or possibly grant writing and purchase of a new(er) machine. This always leads to the need for additional fundraising, and many clubs keep rolling with some sort of club business and/or activity all summer long. Below are some of the events you can attend or support this summer in the County: Pleasant Ridge Riders (Caswell) – Golf Tournament June 25 th Easton Trailbreakers – Easton Field days – Strawberry Shortcake Sales – September 3rd-4 th Caribou Snowmobile Club – Golf Tournament June 18 th Ashland/Portage SC’s – Big Woods Grass Drags – August 27 th For the Northern Region your MSA directors for the 2022-2023 season will be: Lendell Buckingham – Portage Lakers Nick Morrill – Caribou Snowmobile Club Jeff Brook – Big Valley Sno Club (Island Falls) Denise Duperre – Madawaska Snowmobile Club Please reach out with questions and concerns so we can all help and work together. Enjoy your summer, get out to a club function, help out, meet some new people, bring a new rider to your club. If you have a question, problem, concern, or idea on snowmobiling in “The County” or Maine, get in touch with me. You can contact me at the phone # or email below. Matt Stedman, Northern Region VP

Matt Stedman 207-557-1921 (call or text)

David Watson 207-205-1558 412 Roberts Ridge Rd

Eileen Lafland, 207-843-7813 PO Box 733, Holden ME 04429 llafland@midmaine.com

PO Box 621, Ashland ME 04732 Stedman.matt@jdirving.com

East Waterboro ME 04030 dwatson6841@gmail.com

I am so proud of the Eastern Region for ALL they have done this past year and want to thank you for another great year. Four of the top ten clubs in membership are from the Eastern Region. This region is second largest in membership for the state. Great job to all of you. I would like to recognize the five regional directors for all they have done to help me and to present them with a certificate: Paul Bolstridge, Gary Dowling, John Monk, Craig Lemieux and Larry Lafland. Thank you to every one of you for your support in making the Eastern Region so great. Eileen

W ell it’s the beginning of May, the snow is gone except the shaded areas of the far north & west and another great season is in the books. Northern Maine winter brought people from all around the State and Country to visit & explore our trails and communities. The snow wasn’t the best for the groomers to make stay put, but the clubs and their volunteers did a wonderful job keeping up & persevering through increased traffic load and a season that ran to April. The annual banquet was great, clubs and snowmobilers from all reaches of the State came out to recognize many award-winning individuals and groups who make up the awe-inspiring Maine Snowmobile Association membership. Folks and clubs that go all out to ensure snowmobiling in Maine continues to move forward. Aroostook County folks brought home some great awards: Groomer of the Year Dwight Flewelling from Easton, MSAmembership awards for the year - 2 nd place Washburn Trail Runners, 4 th place Madawaska SC, 8 th place Red Arrow SC and Jim Splan from the Benedicta Sno-Gang inducted into the MSA hall of Fame. All awards were well deserved and take hours & years of dedication to the sport. Thank you to all Northern Region clubs for all

G reetings to all, if you search far enough north you might find a patch of snow, some of our higher peaks have snow but it won’t be long. MSA’s Annual banquet was a great success thanks to all who organized it. MSAcontinues to support and grow our sport in the great State of Maine. I would personally like to Thank Mike Grass for the leadership he provided for the past 3 years. Pandemic, losing our director, getting our steering committee together we learned so much on how to run the MSA smoothly. A new time is here. Welcome Al Swett to the President seat with all that you did as Executive VP I am confident we will continue moving forward. Mark Chinnock is taking on Executive VP after doing a fantastic job As Trail Chairman. Snowmobiling never stops all of these people and the Executive Board continues throughout the year to keep Maine the “GREATEST PLACE TO RIDE IN THE NORTHEAST”. In closing Congratulations to all of our award winners this year including inductees to the Hall of Fame. Thank you to all Volunteers, Land Owners, for doing what you do. Enjoy your summer, be safe and do a little snow dance in the fall. Dave Central Region VP

Western Region VP

H Hello fellow snowmobilers another season in the books short but sweet. We overcame some obstacles this season with Carrabbassett Valley being shut off. But the clubs all came together and worked around this problem. It was not a great snow season weather wise but that is 3 years in a row. So let’s hope we start next season with 3 great year’s that’s the trend. Remember stay positive keep doing what we love and get ready for next season. STAY SAFE AND ENJOY THE SUMMER MONTHS AND OF COURSE THINK SNOW!!! Jim James Boyce, 207-265-6512 1168 Fosterhill Road, Freeman ME 04983 Jboyce1168@gmail.com Join the MSA & the Club of Your Choice Select the MSA-affiliated snowmobile club that you would like to support by going to https://www. mainesnowmobileassociation.com/clubs/ then fill out this membership form. Enclose your check for $30 or enter your credit card info and mail to: MSA, PO Box 80, Augusta ME 04332. If you’re paying by credit card you can fax the form to 207 622-7669. $15 of your dues supports your local club; $15 supports the state association. The club is credited for your membership, and an MSA decal is sent to you. Your subscription to the MSA newspaper, the Maine Snowmobiler, begins with the issue following receipt of your membership. Season runs from October 1, 2021-September 30, 2022

Membership Awards Eileen Lafland Totals by region as of 4/22/2022 Western 62 clubs 3,701 members Eastern 74 clubs 2,985 members Northern 34 clubs 2,650 members Central 56 clubs 2,167 members Coastal 57 clubs 1,665 members TOP CLUB IN COASTAL REGION Windham Drifters – 134 members TOP CLUB IN CENTRAL REGION Border Riders – 125 members

Jack Lord Home: (207) 672-3915 Cell: 207-717-7131 Email: jacklord5256@gmail.com

TOP CLUB IN EASTERN REGION Moosehead Riders SC – 217 members TOP CLUB IN NORTHERN REGION Washburn Trail Runners – 272 members TOP CLUB IN WESTERN REGION Rangeley Lakes SC – 1,060 members TOP TEN CLUBS IN THE STATE

H i Everyone, The season has ended; time to get out the summer toys. Before we go too far into summer, I have a couple of things I would like to put forward. I have a favor to ask. Next season can we… #1 have a physical address where your membership package can be dropped off. The postage is far more expensive than gas even now. #2 A phone number that goes with this address. #3 Next winter stop signs on unmarked roads(like logging roads) need GPS coordinates. This is very important for safety and 911 calls. Have a good, safe, and fun summer. I hope to see some of you over the summer. If you are up this way, stop in for a cold drink. Fair warning I will be back next season, until then……….. Keep Smiling,

CLUB SELECTED ________________________________________________________________________

MEMBER NAME ___________________________________________________ DATE ________________

ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________________

CITY/TOWN ____________________________________________ STATE ________ ZIP ______________

TOTAL # OF PEOPLE IN FAMILY

TEL _____________________________ DATE OF BIRTH ___________

___________

#10 Arnold Trail

156 members 166 members 169 members 173 members 190 members 198 members 199 members 217 members 272 members

IF PAYING BY CREDIT CARD, PLEASE CIRCLE ONE:

VISA

MASTERCARD

DISCOVER

#9 Blue Ridge Riders #8 Red Arrow SC #7 Bridgton Easy Riders #6 Northern Timber Cruisers

CARDHOLDER NAME ______________________________________ TEL __________________________

ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________________

ACCOUNT NUMBER _____________________________ EXPIRATION _____________

#5 Penobscot SC #4 Madawaska SC

CARDHOLDER SIGNATURE _______________________________________________

MSA, PO Box 80, Augusta ME 04332 • 207-622-6983 • Fax: 207-622-7669. mainesnowmobileassociation.com

#3 Moosehead Riders SC #2 Washburn Trail Runners #1 Rangeley Lakes SC

1,060 members

Stay Safe, Jack Lord

4

2 0 2 2

y

M a

l M a i n e S n o w m o b

i l e

r

2022 MSA Groomer of the Year - Dwight Flewelling By Mark Chinnock

has stepped up, taken care of business year after year with out complaint, no regrets and never asked for anything in return. I have a very high respect and admiration for this Dwight, because he has served at the pleasure of his club for not 10 years, not 20 years, but has served as Trailmaster for over 30 years. Dwight is one of the founders of this club and has been an active member since the 1960’s. Dwight Flewelling doesn’t come out of the shadows when the snow hits the ground. He’s out in the fields driving stakes and putting up field markers as soon as the farmers are done in the fall and when the snow leaves in the spring he is right back out there pulling them back out so the farmers can get back to work. At the amazing age of 77, he is still in the driv er’s seat of the groomer, and it’s usually at midnight till wee hours of the morning. Everyone in the community and club knows that if they are ever in a bad way that they could call on him day or night and he would be there, he was one of those guys, just an amazing man, and one which I wish I would have met a long time ago. You would be hard pressed to find anyone in the snow mobiling community that doesn’t know Dwight and have a story to tell about him with a smile on their face. I hope that everyone keeps chasing the passion for snowmobiling Dwight has. Please join me in congratulating Dwight Flewel ling of the Easton Trailbreakers as the 2022 MSA Groomer of the Year!

This without a doubt is one of the highlights of my job to be able to pay tribute to one of our groomer/operators/trail master/sign guy/landowner relations and the list goes on, because they are the best of the best. I don’t believe anyone would disagree that we could tell this story over and over again 100 times, and that’s what makes this group so special.

We have the pleasure of honoring Dwight Flewelling who

What ’s been going on.

5

o b i

w m

l e r

0 2 2 l M a i n e S n o

a y 2

M

2022 MSA Hall of Fame Inductees Jim Splan & Marion Pinkham

By: Beth Bowie

Jim Splan Presented by Beth Bowie

Marion Pinkham Presented by Beth Bowie

So the story begins hanging out in the 80’s & 90’s at the Benedicta Bar, yes some great inspirations start this way… This was the start of a friendship and seed for a club. Jim Splan, Mike Duffy, Reid Stanley and Kenny Delano, Brent Kelley and Tom Qualey and a few more were discussing that there wasn’t a real good trail from Sherman Lumber Company to Whetstone Falls. It was the bottleneck for ITS 83. Sno-Rovers groomed up to Whetstone and Bowlin Pond. They had a tucker, the groomer operator told Brent, he was putting in a lot of hours in the woods. It was time to do something about it. The group attended a meeting with Sno Rovers explaining that Benedicta needed that trail to bring in money from the state. Sno-Rovers would have to release the trail, to make it happen and they did. This was the beginning of the BSG. They bought a track truck, then a Bombardier and so it began. Jim and his late wife Carolyn were instrumental in getting the first groomer, securing a loan with their home (more than once). And that small group grew over time to over 125 members today. Jim was the President for over 35 years running and involved in all aspects of the club. The club was so active, progressive dinners, fishing derbies, pig roasts, cruise raffles, poker run, and club rides. Jim was so good at getting the grant monies and knew how to talk to the people in Augusta and still does. Jim helped organize the first Annual Golf Tournament on Ice, even being recognized by ESPN in the early years. Carolyn would tell Jim that they had no time to ride and enjoy their trails. You see, Jim, spent hours on the phone, dealing with emergencies, planning and coordinating for the club. Carolyn was always by Jim’s side, guiding and keeping him on track. Together the Splans kept the BSG going. Within the MSA Jim was one of the founding club news reporters ensuring the club activities were proudly shares with others in the snowmobile community. There were so many wonderful comments and accolades shared about Jim but I would like to share this story shared by his club…. The Bombardier & the Splans

The Bombi that the club had was a late 70’s or 80’s 2 person tracked machine that would wade through snow and a lot of it. Mike Duffy, the trail master at the time, did a majority of the grooming with volunteer fill ins. Mike and his wife Joann needed a break and that particular Saturday. Club President Jim and his wife Carolyn, also a founding member of the Benedicta Snow Gang, decided to fill in and go grooming. Mike had cautioned Jim to keep an eye on the pintle hitch. The pintle hitch hook receiver has what looks like a lobster claw, attaches to the rear the Bombi and hooks into a metal ring, attached to the drag. This hitch had a mind of it’s own. Jim and Carolyn had been grooming for about 2 hours. The hum of the Bombi and the sparkle of the Saturday sun held them both in a bit of trance. Jim looked over at Carolyn and said, “ Boy that drag seems awfully light”. As he glanced over his shoulder the reason became alarmingly clear, There was no drag… As far back as Jimmy could see, there was still no drag. Not having enough room to turn around. Jimmy took the only option available and put the Bombi in reverse. Now, if any of you have ever driven a short track machine with joystick steering, you’ll recognize Jimmy’s dilemma. You “herringbone” or zig zag with each correction. So for over a 1/2 mile, Jimmy and Carolyn zig zagged in reverse to find and rehook into the drag. As the drag came into view, there were 4 sleds, unable to go around or over the drag. The patient sledders had been there for some time. Jumping out of the Bombi and looking a bit sheepish, Jimmy in the most diplomatic way possible looked at the 4 sledders and said, “ Okay, which one of you rotten f+!=’ers unhooked my drag?” Well, don’t just stand there, help me hook this drag back on, so we can all get out of here”. I don’t think Jimmy ever forgot to check that pintle hitch again, even after carefully wrapping wire around it... Please join us in congratulating Jim Splan in being a recipient of the 2021/2022 Hall of Fame! Our next recipient for the 2021/2022 season is one of only four other female recipients of the Hall of Fame that includes Margaret Herrin, Mary Tassinari, Shirley Raymond and Aleta Rioux.

Marion’s contributions to snowmobiling inMaine and theMSAhave been numerous in her over 40 years. She and her late husband Sumner were the founders of the Levant Hungry Holler 76ers Snowmobile Club. After being with them for many years, they founded the Glenburn Lakeside Riders SC in 1997 of which Marion is still an active lifetime member. Marion was one of the organizers of the 10 club informational meetings and the 10 club fundraising Poker Runs in the Eastern Region. For years Marion could be found manning the food booth at the Kenduskeag Stream Races and if you stopped by at the Glenburn Variety Store on a Friday evening in the Fall you were bound to see Marion selling Super Raffle Tickets for her club. Trust us when we say she sells to everyone coming into the store. Marion has chaired numerous monthly fundraising suppers, Hunter’s Breakfasts. She and her family started the Marissa Pinkham Scholarship Fund that the club gives out every year in memory of her granddaughter. In recent years Marion was active in the Glenburn community center being obtained for the Glenburn Snowmobile Club to hold events, suppers and meetings. I have on good authority if you ever attended any of these suppers and had the macaroni and cheese or whoopie pies you were in for a great treat by Marion. Marion over the years has held numerous club leadership positions from secretary to club president and any other position the clubs needed and continues to be the club membership person. As if that was not enough Marion has been an active MSA member and leader. Some of Marion’sMSA accomplishments include:

• Eastern Region VP • MSA Executive VP • MSA Treasurer • MSA President

• MSA Snowmobiler of the Year • Helped coordinate the MSA 50 th Anniversary Cookbook • One of the 50/50 raffle coordinators @ MSA Director Meetings • Behind the scene contributor at all the MSA shows • Past member of the MSA nominating committee In the early years of MSA Marion attended the International Snowmobile congress events around the Northeast and beyond as a representative from Maine. Marion was chosen to represent the MSA in a Way-Out Woman Snowmobile Ride for Charity in 2004. The ride was a cross-country ride with representatives in each state doing a section. Her ride started in Caribou and went across the state ending in Oquissoc where she handed her event sled off to the group riding through New Hampshire. Marion could also be found at many events representing the MSA and talking to other state representatives about why Maine was the best there was and is for snowmobiling. As with many of our previous Hall of Fame recipients snowmobiling in the Pinkham family is truly a family sport. Marion has raised a family to not only appreciate the sport of snowmobiling but also impressed upon them the importance of giving back to the sport and so I expect we will continue to hear the Pinkham name in snowmobiling for years to come…. With that please join us in congratulating Marion Pinkham in being a recipient of the 2021/2022 Hall of Fame!

6

2 0 2 2

y

M a

l M a i n e S n o w m o b

i l e

r

2022 MSA Club of the Year - The Lexington/Highlander’s Snowmobile Club By: Alan Swett

This little club is located off the beatenpath ina tinycommunity.With over 80 members, this club chugs along doing events that benefits their trails and new clubhouse. They do not have any big business members like other clubs have but they have a vision that they can get it done and they do! That new clubhouse was built a few years ago and within the last couple of years has already had an addition. It’s a great building with a nice pine interior, kitchen, plenty of seats and a new water well! Plenty of parking up back near the Groomer

barn for a park and ride day. However, their biggest asset is their people these folks are great! They all have a passion for snowmobiling and have a well-kept secret…. I’ll tell you they have some awesome trails, and the scenery is spectacular. Another must do which is coming up soon is their springtime chicken barbecue. They have two cookouts one in the spring and the other in the fall, both have a secret recipe that is very tasty! Held at the Happy Horseshow Campground in Lexington on the Long Falls Dam

Road this is a must go to event. You’ll also see them at the North New Portland Fair this fall selling MSA raffle tickets. This club works very hard, these folks are out there working hard signing, trimming, and building new trails. The signing crew consists of three women! WOW! Most of the club members are wise mature folks that get it done with hard work that don’t complain at the end of the day. WeareproudtohaveTheLexington/ Highlander’s Snowmobile Club as the MSA club of the year!

MSA 2022 No. 1 Club By Alan Swett

The Rangeley Snowmobile Club continues to be the Maine Snowmobile Association’s largest membership club. With nearly 1100 members year after year, this club wins the MSA’s membership award. Their dedication to our sport goes above and beyond. This Western Maine club has five groomers and over 140 miles of trail. They get it done. Their supporting business’s help year after year. Rangeley is a destination point for snowmobilers and they cater to the riders. You can get service, lodging, food, and some of the most incredible scenery in the State of Maine. The core of this club has a vision to make Rangeley the premier snowmobiling spot in Maine. From their large Groomer barn equipped with a mechanic and lots of parts to keep them running. They have many club events like the Snodeo, Clark’s Pig Roast, and Brian’s Kelly’s Beef Dinner. Along with a successful Saddleback Hill Climb this past spring and many other money events that benefit them. What an incredible job they do! Thank you RLSC for all your hard work and dedication. Congratulations on being MSA’S largest membership club.

7

o b i

w m

l e r

0 2 2 l M a i n e S n o

a y 2

M

2022 MSAYouth Member of the Year – Sawyer Stone Written by Al Swett

We thought it would be a great idea to begin to honor young snowmobilers. So, this year we start with a fine young man from the Border Rider’s Snowmobile Club in Jackman. His name is Sawyer Stone. He loves to snowmobile, and you’ll find him mostly over at the Long Pond Groomer Barn helping the members. Trimming brush, cleaning, and helping with a new 70-foot bridge. A letter from his mom tells us “The 12-year-old got involved in the club a few years ago. He shows up to be part of every

event, volunteering his time and does whatever is asked of him. Last winter he asked tohave a trailside cookout to raise money for the club. This was a big job with lots of planning, the food, and a great location to make it happen. It did happen and it was a great success. So successful last year that it was held again this year. Both trailside cookouts raised a total of $7,000.00. The money will go towards improvements to their clubhouse” Sawyer is a great kid! And we’re very fortunate to have him in our snowmobile

Community. What a great honor to announce Sawyer Stone as the

recipient of the 2022 MSA Youth of The Year!

2022 MSA Picture of the Year Awarded to Mike Bizeau “Jackman Sleds on Bridge”

8

2 0 2 2

y

M a

l M a i n e S n o w m o b

i l e

r

MSA 2022 Dealers of The Year Nitro Trailer Manufacturing & Alcom By: Alan Swett

NitroTrailerManufacturingstarted as a business working out of a garage in Central Maine. The owner Chad Dow learned to weld through his passion of racecars, which he drove throughout New England. He is very fussy; he worked hard to make quality products. He formed a company Innovative Specialties. This new venture was focusing on aluminum work, mostly repairing trailers and fabricating. Nitro Trail ers started up with just himself and one other employee. His vision to build a quality trailer to haul snow mobiles and other equipment has led him and his company to a new 20,000 square foot factory right here in Central Maine. And they’re last year they purchased another site in Florida with over 70 employ ee’s for the Jet Ski market. By now with nearly 1,000 employees Alcom makes just about any trailer, you’d need. And it was started right here in Central Maine in a little garage with a young man with a big vision. Over the years, Alcom has always been there for the MSA. Without hesitation, they donate a snow mobile trailer for our Raffle to help support Maine clubs. It’s been over 14 years! Their generosity is much appreciated, and we would not be where we are today with out them. Thank you Alcom and all your employees. Congratulation on becoming the MSA 2022 Dealer of the Year! 2022 Supporting Businesses of the Year – Shaker Hill Outdoors not done growing. Nitro is selling trailers all over New England and into Canada. Their attention to detail has made them one of the top manufacturers in the USA! Nitro is a top-notch company hiring Maine workers. Nitro was quick to help with the MSA Super Raffle donating a brand-new Hybrid 12-foot snow mobile trailer. It was a big reason that we sold so many tickets. Chad also helped us out with the MSA golf scramble in June and was a big addition to the MSA Snowmobile show. Thank you, Chad, and your entire crew! Congratulations on becoming the MSA 2022 Dealer of the Year! Alcom Inc. is located here in Cen tral Maine and is now one of the largest trailer manufacturers in the USA. It started out back in 2005 by Trapper Clark and Tom Sturtevant in Waterville. They just keep get ting bigger and bigger. Sno-Pro, CargoPro and Stealth are just a few names that they produce. In 2010, they broke ground on a new 70,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Winslow, ME. They have over 200 employees at the Winslow opera tions. It was time to move west and Bonner, Montana was their next stop. A factory that makes livestock and horse trailers. Next up in 2014 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 180 jobs and a 58,000 square foot facility. Big growth in the Mid-West. Just

By: Mark Chinnock

Back in 2007 there was a gentleman named Greg Morin who was trying to get his start in Landscaping. Greg had a brother Tim who worked for the Lewiston Police Department. Also in 2007, Tim broke his ankle on the job and in the same year lost his K9 part ner. The two decide to team up and expand Greg’s Landscaping business. They decided to purchase Shaker Hill Nursery in Poland. They have worked incredibly hard over the years and diversified into what we know now as Shaker Hill Outdoors. Their inventory contains everything from snowmobil ing gear and accessories, ice-fishing gear to kayaks, bait and tackle shop and of course landscaping materials & a nursery. A quick Google of Shaker Hill Out doors shows their dedication to the sport. Folks from all around Maine

both newbies and seasoned riders rave about their knowledge of snow mobiles, gear and the sport in gen eral. Riders throughout Central Maine know that the Morin brothers are there with a helping hand day or night in the case of a breakdown. Tim and Greg have become fixtures in the snowmobiling community. Whether in their store, at the Maine Snowmobile Show or on the trail, the boys are there. Both groom and store equipment and drags at their houses. Greg is the Trailmaster for the Hillside Riders and Tim heads up the fundrais ing and the building committee. They are also members of the Poland Snow Travelers. Their involvement in these clubs and the MSA are immeasurable. Please join us in congratulating Shaker Hill Outdoors as the 2022 MSA Supporting Business of the Year!

9

o b i

w m

l e r

0 2 2 l M a i n e S n o

a y 2

M

2022 - 2023 MSA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & STAFF CONTACT INFO

OFFICERS: President

Alan Swett, 234 County Rd, Waterville ME 04901 207-872-7282 snowtraveler@roadrunner.com Mark Chinnock, PO Box 66, Mechanic Falls, ME 04256 207-754-9874 napadude66@hotmail.com Lori Hemmerdinger, 544 Plains Rd, Poland ME 04274 207-890-5455 lhemmerdinger@gmail.com Barry Ryan, 207 Lancaster Brook Rd, Glenburn ME 04401 207-945-6809 skidoo6000ber@gmail.com Brad Barker, 155 Fish Street, Leeds ME 04263 207-524-3301 barkerbrad155@gmail.com Eileen Lafland, PO Box 733, Holden ME 04429 207-843-7813 llafland@midmaine.com Jack Lord, 17 Dinsmore St, Bingham ME 04920 207-672-3915 jacklord5256@gmail.com Matt Stedman, PO Box 621, Ashland ME 04732 207-557-1921 stedman.matt@jdirving.com David Watson, 412 Roberts Ridge Rd, East Waterboro ME 04030

Executive VP

Treasurer

Assistant Treasurer

Secretary

Eastern VP

Central VP

Northern VP

Coastal VP

Cell: 207-205-1558 dwatson6841@gmail.com Jim Boyce, 1168 Fosterhill Rd, Freeman Twp ME 04983 207-265-6512 jboyce1168@gmail.com

Western VP

REGIONAL DIRECTORS: Eastern Region

Paul Bolstridge, 29 McKenzie Ave, Lincoln ME 04457 207-290-1564 tpguide@hotmail.com Larry Lafland, PO Box 733, Holden ME 04429 207-944-0054 llafland@midmaine.com

Gary Dowling, PO Box 235, East Machias ME 04630 207-255-8902 coastalautorepair@myfairpoint.net John Monk, 99 Old Kennebec Rd, Newburgh ME 04444 207-478-2526 monksdoomopars@hermon.net Craig Lemieux, 55 Harlow Pond Rd, Guilford ME 04443 207-232-0294 cplemieux@hwpuritan.com Northern Region: Nick Morrill, 406 Main Street, Stockholm ME 04783 207-554-0074 Lendell Buckingham, 333 Garfield Rd, Garfield ME 04732 207-554-0098 lendellbuck@gmail.com Jeff Brooks, PO Box 96, Island Falls ME 04747 207-752-1027 jeffbrooks@markerman.com Denise Duperre, 195 Dufour Rd, Madawaska ME 04756 207-316-9118 advertising04756@gmail.com Western Region: Gary Okenquist, 78 Highland Ave, Bethel ME 04217 207-875-2141 goskinow@megalink.net Paul Gallant, 18 Drift Rd, Fryeburg ME 04037 207-935-2878 paulyg71@hotmail.com Jon Wakefield, PO Box 50, Oquossoc ME 04964 207-320-1989 jonnydwandco@yahoo.com Roland Bowe, 78 Elm St, Mechanic Falls, ME 04256 207-576-5830 bthbowie@yahoo.com Jerry Major, 137 Morrill Rd, Norway ME 04268 207-838-0892 Coastal Region: Eric Perreault, 516 Deerwander Road, Hollis, ME 04042 207-929-2184 eric.perreault@avx.com Rodney Berry, 38 Morrison Dr, Lincolnville ME 04849 207-763-3353 l-rberry@tidewater.net Steven Bennett, PO Box 32, Parsonfield ME 04047 207-303-7076 sfd720@gmail.com Central Region David Cogley, 113 Woods Rd, West Gardiner ME 04345 207-724-7041 davcog@aol.com Alan Dugas, 77 Woodland Drive, Yarmouth ME 04096 207-232-9577 alan@royalriverboat.com

MSA STAFF: Office Manager:Elizabeth (Liz) Mahaleris, PO Box 80, Augusta ME 04332 207-622-6983 Email: office@mesnow.com Web: www.mainesnowmobileassociation.com , Facebook: MaineSnowmobileAssociation

10

2 0 2 2

y

M a

l M a i n e S n o w m o b

i l e

r

2022 MSA President’s Award MSA Steering Committee By Mike Grass Jr.

The 2022 MSA President’s Award was a long process for me this year. Usually, it goes to someone I have noticed during the year or years that quietly goes about their business, getting stuff done without a lot of notoriety. They attend their primary snowmobile club meetings; hold a position there such as an officer seat or trailmaster. Someone who builds bridges like past recip ient Alan Dugas and is always lending a hand, never wanting publicity or accolades. President’s Award winners are always among us, just doing their thing, making sure whatever job they have is done and done well. I had a short list of people this year, which I felt all deserved the award but choosing only one was the hang up for me. So how do I pick one? I consider myself old fash ioned, conservative and don’t stray from the path kind of per son but once in a while, I like to change things up. Hopefully, I won’t upset anyone with my choice for the President’s Award. To start my story about today’s winner, I have to go back to the beginning of my Presidency, May of 2019. After I was elected, the first thing on our agenda was hiring a new Executive Director, as most of you know. I tapped outgo ing President John Monk to assemble a team or transition committee that would figure out a job description and get it done. Well, then we figured it

might be better to get someone in the office to watch and learn the ways of the office before they retired. Change of plans, now we need a job description for our office worker. Done. Hired a new office worker, we are halfway there. Back to the original job. Worked out a job description for the new Execu tive Director. Interviews, Hired a new Executive Director. New Executive Director decides the position is not for them. After some investigating, we find no road map, guidance or way for the new hire to do their new job. Issue, now we have no ED and the one person in the office only has limited knowl edge of how MSA runs from day to day. First Step, cover the “bases”. Now the transition committee needs to have the ability to take care of the day to-day business of MSA. How do we do that? Next E-board meeting we ask for permission for the now called “Steering Committee” to do the day to day. Unanimous, permission granted. Ok, there is the background to howwe are here today. So now you’re thinking, “what does this have to do with the Pres ident’s Award? Well, from that day on, some very passionate people with a love for snow mobiling have poured their heart and soul into MSA. They have traveled two hours one way to meetings in Augusta at least once a month for 3 years, sometimes 2, 3 or 4 times a month. Why, because they

wanted MSA to be better. They didn’t want anyone to see we were literally knocked back but not down. They wanted every one to see business as usual at MSA. These people did this on top of the local club duties and a lot of personal time that many of their bosses didn’t know about. And not once did these people ask for money or compensation. They did it for their love of snowmobil ing. These people are the MSA Steering Committee. They all took a piece of the MSAday-to-day “pie” that they felt strong at and got it done. Past President Bob Flagg. Only known tome in the past as “the IT guy”. Let me tell you folks, Bob Flagg is much more than an IT guy. His knowledge of MSA, past and present is stel lar. Eileen Lafland has many years of MSA history as East ern Region VP and took on a role as Membership Chair and literally set records of enter ing membership data into the MSA database. Her husband Larry Lafland, himself an East ern Region Director and past Trails Committee Chairman brought great insight, wisdom and ideas to the table. Past President John Monk took on the role of lobbyist and moni tored legislation, talking to key people in and around the Capi tol. MSA Trails Chairman had a unique role as he took care of things at his local club, made sure the Trails Contract with the state was done, met with his five inspection teams, held workshops all over the state

and was a team mate to our Treasurer Lori Hemmerdinger. Lori was actually the MSA Secretary when the Steering Committee was formed but her knowledge of accounting and budgeting had her move to the Treasurer’s position. She didn’t stop there, she also gathers all the content for the Maine Snowmobiler newspa per and edits it too. She also hooked us up with Perfect Stitch and our online store. Al Swett, what can I say, the man is an animal. We needed someone in the office and Al stepped up. He made sure the office was manned come hell or high water. A lot of the time, he was there by himself, trying to answer the phone, emails and walk in traffic, as well as get the mail, mail the mail, clean the office and on and on and on. He’s a machine and MSA is getting a good man in Al. These people did it. They made MSA happen. They made MSA business as usual all while figuring out how to do it all. We have a new postal machine. We have a new video conference system. We have a new payroll sys tem. We have a new website. We have Formstack. We have new and improved ways to do almost everything at the MSA office now. These people made it happen! Therefore, I have awarded the 2022 MSA President’s Award to the 2019 2022 MSA Steering Commit tee members.

11

o b i

w m

l e r

0 2 2 l M a i n e S n o

a y 2

M