9225-R1_MSA_December2025_Newsletter

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Vol. 57 • No. 4 December 2025 MSA, PO Box 80 Augusta ME 04332 www.mainesnowmobileassociation.com

An Official Publication of the Maine Snowmobile Association

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☛ United we trail, divided we fail!

Find us on Facebook

MSA DUE$ What do they do for me and the Snowmobile Clubs?

W e have all heard this state ment made at some point in our years of snowmobiling, hav en’t we? We know we pay dues to MSA and to a club, but what really happens with the money MSA receives? Any one lucky enough to have been involved in snowmobil ing in Maine for the past 53 years can answer that question without hesitation. So, let’s take a walk down Memory Lane as they say. MSA was formed in 1968 when snowmobiling was gaining ground and becoming popular. Most

likely the trails you traveled were not maintained well, didn’t have bridges over water crossings, went across the farmers’ fields, up a person’s driveway and sometimes down a public road if you were lucky enough to not get caught by law enforcement. There were only a handful of snowmobile clubs in the state, and they were more of a social club at that time. Enter MSA- An organization with a Mission Statement, directors, officers, and committees run by volunteers dedicated to the sport,

and ready to help snowmobiling become an organized winter activ ity that now brings over $700 mil lion to the Maine economy yearly. MSA paid staff includes a Director of Operations, and Office Man ager, a lobbyist, and an editor of the monthly MSA newspaper. Only one of these positions is full time, the others are part time. Do you know any other organization that has approx. 15,000 members and only four paid people and the rest VOLUNTEERS!!?

What do I get for my MSA dues? Here are just a few of the benefits of being an MSA member.

• The MSA newspaper, published in print form or digitally, whichever you choose. • A paid lobbyist who collaborates with MSA members and the organization, acting as the primary liaison for every MSA affiliated club and representing more than 280 clubs in total. • Legislative alerts delivered to your inbox, ensuring your clubs voice is heard in Augusta. • In partnership with the Department of ACF, the MSA Trails Committee in spects every ITS trail across the state to verify that safety standards are met, and that signage is correct. • Discussions at the State level about landowner relations concerns, E-Board members who sit on advi sory councils & landowner relations boards • E-Board member positions of the Department of ACF Snowmobile Pro gram advisory council who discuss and review grant programs bi-annu

ally. • Trail maps, a new Trail map app, and trail conditions posted for easy ac cess. • The ability for anyone at any age to apply for MSA Scholarship money to the school of their choice. • Access to safety materials, a safety education program, and the ability to be nominated for various awards given annually in April. • Access to an Executive Committee of VOLUNTEERS who will answer any questions you may have regarding the MSA. • Business members are listed in the MSA newspaper and on the MSA print map. They also receive a MSA Supporting Business Member decal from the club, that is provided at no charge to them. • The ability to participate in the monthly MSA Directors meetings ei ther in person or zoom if the location has internet access.

That’s a small, small portion of the member benefits.

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO A CLUB TO BE AN MSA 100% AFFILIATED CLUB?

• Promotion of your club state wide through print media, web site, Facebook, or other digital means. • Access to fund raising opportu nities such as the Super Raffle, which only costs the club man power to sell the tickets as all materials are provided free to clubs. • Membership materials printed and supplied at no charge to the club. This includes an on line membership program that sends the money collected for club dues to the club. • Access to safety education ma terials at no charge. • An organization that is con stantly looking for ways to in crease funding for clubs. • An organization that serves as a vigilant advocate, monitoring

the allocation and distribution of funds by the state govern ment to ensure that they are utilized as intended and in ac cordance with their designated purposes. • An organization that works closely with Dept. of Agricul ture, Conservation and For estry, landowners, and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for the betterment of clubs. • The opportunity to have an MSA director at each monthly meeting to participate in the discussions and vote on mo tions. Also, at these meetings the MSA has a Pot of Gold that has the names of the snowmo bile clubs in it. If your club is drawn and a director is pres ent, the club receives $400.

• The ability to request a mem ber(s) of the MSA Executive Committee to attend your club meetings, events, and or spe cial occasions. • Annual Awards recognition nominations for members of your club that if chosen are pre sented at the Annual Meeting in April. • The opportunity to promote your club in the MSA Newspa per by submitting monthly club news, entering your event in the Calendar of Events, submitting trail conditions, or writing an ar ticle about your club that will be seen by all paid members. • The ability to raise funds by selling advertising on the MSA Trail App with 100% of adver tising proceeds remaining with the club.

Again- this is just a small portion of the benefits to clubs that are 100% affiliated with MSA!!

Now, think back to 1967 before MSA was formed and ask yourself this question-Where would snowmobiling in Maine be today if MSA, its members, volunteers, and clubs were not in existence. Would you have access to nearly 14,000 miles of well groomed, maintained trails that cover the entire state?

Mission Statement United we trail, divided we fail! To educate its members and the general public in the principles of safety in the use of snowmobiles. To act as a liaison between snowmobile clubs, landowners and the state agencies who are assisting or promoting the sport of snowmobiling. To promote better understanding between snowmobile owners, and the general public as to the proper use of snowmobiles. To encourage the use of snowmobiles and the establishment of snowmobile trails in a manner that will result in a minimum effect on the environment. To promote among all snowmobilers a greater respect for the rights of landowners, and other winter sports enthusiasts. To encourage among its members an appreciation of the natural and scenic areas of our state and the need to protect them. To encourage the passing of legislation and regulations In the best interests of both snowmobilers and landowners. To coordinate the efforts of its members in matters relating to the use and ownership of snowmobiles.

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Optimizing Snowmobile Suspension: Customizing Settings for Your Riding Style Snowmobile suspension systems are designed to balance comfort, control, and per formance.Whether you’re carving groomed trails, racing through moguls, or plunging into deep powder, adjusting your suspension properly can transform your ride. This guide explores how to tailor your snowmobile’s suspension to different riding styles, enhancing both safety and enjoyment.

Understanding Key Suspension Components Before diving into adjustments, familiarize yourself with the basics: • Shocks/Absorbers: Control compression and rebound speed. Most modern snowmobiles offer compression damping (how quickly the shock compresses) and rebound damping (how fast it returns). • Springs & Preload: Springs support rider weight and terrain impacts. Preload

adjustment compresses the spring without altering its stiffness, enabling fine-tun ing of suspension height. • Travel: The range of motion in the suspension. More travel is ideal for rough terrain.

Note: Front suspension (attached to skis) is less adjustable for most riders, but rear suspensions (shocks) are the primary focus for optimization. Adjusting forTrail Riding Focus: Comfort and balanced control for smooth, paved tracks. Settings:

Carving & Performance Riding Focus: Responsiveness and agility on tight, technical trails. Settings: • Preload: Light to medium. Adjust based on rider weight—lighter rid ers reduce preload; heavier riders increase it. • Compression Damping: Medium. Avoid excessive firmness, which can jostle over bumps. • Preload: Medium to stiff. Reduces suspension droop for instant edge-to-edge transitions. • Compression Damping: Slightly increased for low-speed damping (to prevent

• Rebound Damping: Medium. Ensures a smooth return without oscillation. • Pro Tip: Prioritize stability for long rides. Many trail riders find stock settings sufficient after adjusting preload.

wallowing) and firm high-speed settings (for stability). • Rebound Damping: Slightly faster (1/4 to 1/2 turn from stock) to maintain momentum.

Example: Use a “race mode” shock package if available. Test adjustments on tight corners and open traverses. Aggressive GroomedTrail Riding Focus: Precision and minimal energy loss. Settings:

o Rebound Damping: Firmed up slightly (1/2 turn) to prevent overshooting. • Front Suspension: Check alignment and keep rebound slightly stiffer to cut through turns.

• Rear Shocks:

o Preload: Increased to handle aggressive rider weight shifts. o Compression Damping: Stiff high-speed (for hard-packed trails), softer low-speed (for smoother transitions).

Note: Top racers often use specialized shocks with progressive damping or coilovers for fine-tuned performance. Deep Snow Focus: Absorbing impacts and maintaining floatation in rough, natural snow. Settings:

• Preload: Lighter than default to maximize travel and suspension “give.” • Compression Damping: Soft low-speed (for deep powder) and firm high

speed (to handle hidden obstacles). • Rebound Damping: Slightly slower to control droop on uneven terrain.

Additional Tip: Ensure skis are raised to avoid snow blockage. Consider upgrading to shocks with longer travel if frequently riding in extreme off-trail conditions. Mogul Riding Focus: Taming bumps and maintaining grip on undulating terrain. Settings:

o Rebound Damping: Stiffened by 1/2 to 1 full turn to control rapid rebound. • Front Suspension: Balance rebound to keep skis from diving into moguls.

• Rear Shocks:

o Preload: Medium to heavy for absorbing compression. o Compression Damping: Firm low-speed (to prevent bottoming) and soft high-speed (for smoother transitions).

Pro Tip: Use a “mogul mode” shock preset if available, or test incremental adjustments on a safe, snowy slope.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

1.Start with Stock Settings: Establish a baseline for testing. 2.Adjust Preload: Match to rider weight. Lighter riders reduce preload; heavier riders increase it. 3.Tune Compression Damping: Begin with stock settings, then stiffen or soften based on terrain.

4.Calibrate Rebound Damping: Use the manufacturer’s recommendation as a starting point, adjusting in small increments. 5.Test & Iterate: Ride in a controlled area, noting how the bike reacts to bumps, corners, and speed.

Tools Needed: Shock adjustment tools (often included), a soft mallet to dislodge shocks, and a notebook for tracking settings. Safety & Final Notes

• Always wear protective gear when testing adjustments. • Consult the Manual: Factory guidelines are essential for avoiding damage. • Seek Expertise: For advanced tweaks (e.g., spring rate changes), visit a dealer.

• Balance Preferences with Conditions: Terrain and snow type are just as critical as rider weight.

By adapting your snowmobile’s suspension to your riding style, you can unlock optimal performance and ride confidence. Remember, the best setup is one you’ve tested, refined, and personalized! Conclusion Whether you’re carving turns, racing the clock, or exploring untouched powder, a well-adjusted suspension system is your secret weapon. Start with these guidelines, experiment cautiously, and enjoy the ride—because every trail tells a different story, and your snowmobile should be ready to write it.

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MAINE PARK & RIDE LOCATIONS

Attention MSA Clubs if you would like to add your local Park & Ride please visit: mainesnowmobileassociation.com and fill out the form under MSA Forms.

REGION CLUB

ADDRESS

TOWN Madison

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Central Central Central Central Central Central Central Coastal Coastal Coastal Coastal Coastal Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Coastal

Abnaki Sno-Riders Anson-North Anson SC Lexington Hilanders SC Minnehonk Ridge Riders

1463 Lakewood Rd

Club house parking lot

18 High Street

North Anson Lexington Twp1

1654 Long Falls Dam Road

Corner of North Rd & Bean Road Mount Vernon

Park & Ride trail connects to the Mount Vernon trail system Trail maps are posted at Park & Ride parking lot and all trail intersections.

Norridge Sportsmen Alliance 444-328 Martin Stream Road

Norridgewock

Ashley Wing Memorial Park Direct Access to Kennebec Valley Railtrail KVT

Smithfield Moonshiners SC

1232 Village Road

Smithfield

The park in ride is the paved parking lot directly in front of the ball field. Please do not block the driveway/parking area in front of the salt/sand shed. Thank you

Town and Country Trailriders 35 Clubhouse Road

Clinton Cornish

Parking lot of Town and Country Trailriders snowmobile club.

Cornish Sno-Cruisers Moonlite Sno-Skimmers

Rt #5 (Sokokis Trail) 60 Val Halla Road

About 3/4 a mile south from Rt 25, Vacant lot and Approx 7 miles North of Limerick on Rt #5

Cumberland

Rachels on the green - breakfast- lunch - dinner - large parking lot for the Val Halla Parking lot. 15 minute drive from Portland with direct access to main trail system leading to destinations west and north of Cumberland.

Norridgewock Sportsmen

444 Martin Stream Road

Norridgewock

Ashley J Wing Family Memorial Park and Ride. Direct access to the Kennebec Valley Trail (Rail bed)

Association

Westbrook Trail Blazers Westbrook Trail Blazers Westbrook Trail Blazers

429 Bridge Street

Westbrook Westbrook Westbrook

Westbrook Little League Parking lot Sunset Ridge Golf Course parking lot

771 Cumberland Street

235 Pride Street

Prides Corner Congregational Church Parking lot will be busy Sunday mornings till about noon time. EMSC is located directly in Connector Trail 107. The yard has ample parking and an unloading ramp. Located just north of the road crossing on ITS 111 North (Wildwoods trail) Located just north of the Jo Mary Trail on the left 1.5 miles north of Ebeemee Club House

Eastern Maine Snowmobilers EMSC clubhouse , 263 Levenseller Rd Holden

Ebeemee SC Ebeemee SC

US Route 11, ITS 111 Intersection Ebeemee Twp

US Route 11

Ebeemee Twp

East Branch Sno-Rovers & ATV 6 Clubhouse Drive

Medway

Lots of room for parking. Lunches usually served on weekends. The club has a large parking area at their clubhouse that is plowed for trailer parking. Trailers can be parked for a day or an extended period. Plenty of parking available. Trailhead is across the road, access to local club trails , ITS 83 can be picked up in Corinth , Maine.

Glenburn Lakeside Riders SC 2838 Ohio Street

Glenburn

LA Sledders

Club House, 3346 Bennoch Road Alton

Also the Rail Trail Parking lot off Bennoch Rd in Lagrange as well as Lagrange General Store Also, 2 miles down East Shore Rd, Lakeville, ME 04487 Large Parking Lot next to ITS 105

Quad County SC Inc. Sebasticook Valley SC

976 Lee Rd (Rt 6) 238 Moosehead Trail

Springfield

Newport

Very Large parking lot with direct ITS 85 trail access. Located right on RT. 7 just 1 mile from I-95. Food/Gas services available in both directions. Great take off spot for day or overnight trips. Contact Sebasticook Valley SC Facebook page for the latest grooming information. From Rt. 15, head West on either Upper Shirley Rd. or Lower Shirley Rd, to the intersection. The parking lot is just West of that intersection at the junction of West Road and ITS 85 (B&A Railroad Road S.). It is located diagonal to the small town park/pavilion at Shirley Pond. Room for 4 rigs. (no overnight parking except residents of the street) Immediately off I-95 northbound exit. Located at Brooks Equipment Service . Direct access to ITS 83 Oils, parts, and services available at this site, as well as 2 gas stations located within 900’ of park and ride location (one of which has 24 hr. card service with non-ethanol gas also) As your leaving Caribou on Rt.89 heading east towards Limestone Otter St. will be on your left just before you reach the underpass. Drive all the way straight in and that is where the Park n Ride will be. As you come into Stockholm off 161 turn left onto Main St. and go across the bridge. Right after the bridge on the left you’ll see a sign for a public boat landing. Turn left into there and that in the parkn ride. There is a small maintained trail that will lead you thru the ballpark up to ITS 83 or you can ride the shoulder of Main St. from the park n ride and get on ITS 83 next to Eureka Hall. This is the location of our clubhouse. The clubhouse is not open to the general public w/o notice. There is lots of room for parking, but Located right at the I-95 Sherman exit

Eastern

Shirley Bog Trail Busters

B&A RR Road South

Shirley

Northern Benedicta Snow Gang Northern Big Valley Sno Club

Sherman Citgo 1160 Crystal Road 478 Houlton Road 10 Otter Street

Sherman Island Falls

Northern Big Valley Sno Club

Island Falls

Northern Caribou SC

Caribou

Northern Caribou SC

Main Street

Stockholm

Northern Chapman Ridge Runners

94 Town Hall Road

Chapman

Snowmobile & ATV Club

please not in front of our groomer barn, “The Bullpen.”

Northern Dwinal Pond 4-Seasons Club 174 Springfield Road

East Winn

Parking lot across the road from the clubhouse (If space is filled please use clubhouse circle driveway)

Northern Madawaska SC Northern Madawaska SC Northern Moosetown Riders Northern Portage Lake SC Northern Portage Lakers Northern Smoki Haulers SC

19 Fournier Road 195 Dufour Road 20 Little Black Road

St. David (Madawaska) Ramp available for truckbed sleds. Please do not block garage overhead door where groomer is parked, or park in front of it. Free parking.

Madawaska

This is a private driveway located on trail ITS 81. Call 207.316.9118 for permission to park (limited space)

Allagash

Park Ride behind the Little Black Checkpoint.

Station Road

Portage Lake

This is a dirt road that connects east and west cottage road in Portage. There will be available parking on the west side of this road and will be marked with signs. Exit 286 on I-95. Heading North: take Exit 286 and take a right off the ramp. Take the first driveway on the right - big sign board out front. The driveway snakes between two homes - our log cabin Clubhouse is located in the back. Unload and you’re off and running on ITS 83! Parking is alongside Station Rd in downtown Portage. There is room for approximately 12 rigs.

Station Road

Portage Oakfield

317 Oakfield Smyrna Road

Northern Washburn Trail Runners SC

48 Station Road

Washburn

Western Western

Bog Hooters SC

Rte 11

Mechanic Falls

Fireman’s field next to the little Androscoggin River.

Fryeburg Area Snowmobile 322 McNeil Road

Fryeburg

Assoc.

Western

Fryeburg Area Snowmobile Across from 330 Bridgton Road

Fryeburg

Assoc.

Western

Fryeburg Area Snowmobile Weston’s Beach on River Street

Fryeburg

Assoc.

Western Western Western Western Western Western Western Western Western Western Western Western

Crooked River SC

661 Meadow Road Vacationland Road 219 North Main Street

Casco

Harrison Friendly Riders

Harrison Strong Norway Bridgton Rumford Rumford

Take Vacationland Rd, Follow Signs.

Narrow Gauge SC Norway Trackers SC

Look for sign at entrance, indicating parking area for Narrow Gauge Snowmobile Club Park & Ride

95 Lake Road

Located at the Lake Pennesseewassee Boat Launch/ Parking Area.

Pleasant Mountain SC (Formaly Brag Way

Parking lot is across from the Ham Athletic Fields at 40 Brag Way. 2/10 of a mile from the intersection of Brag Way and Route 302. Easy

Bridgton Easy Riders)

access to ITS 89.

Rumford Polar Bears Rumford Polar Bears Snow Valley Sno-Goers

Route 2

Located at the top of Falls Hill at the corner of Route 2 and South Rumford Road across from Adley’s Auto Next to Sherwin Williams at the parking lot of the old bowling alley site. McDonald’s is 3 properties away

1019 Route, Rt 2

120 Just East of Andover Village Andover

Take a right at Andover Village (Rt. 120) just down over the hill on right Parking lot holds 30 plus trailers and direct access to ITS115.

Sno Wanderers

171 Main Street 1771 US Rt 201

Kingfield

The Forks Area Trail Club

The Forks PLT

FREE PARK & RIDE LOT at Northern Outdoors on Route 201. Lot is located 1/4 mile south of Northern Outdoors and marked with a sign. The lot is large, well plowed and has plenty of room for trailers. This lot opens as soon as groomers have been able to hit the trails! Ample space for whatever trailer you might be hauling. P&R is directly across from WRVSC grooming hut. Open every day. Located on the right hand side of Route 2 after entering Gilead from the west and passing the rest area or on the left side of the highway if coming in from the Bethel area. Long, thin parking lot for about 4 trucks with trailers. Kiosk and map in parking lot.

Webb River Valley S.C.

55 Shanie Lane

Carthage

Wild River Riders

Route 2

Gilead

Open Mic Night † ‡ „ˆ ‰ Š € ‹ ‹ Œ Ž ‘ Œ ’ Œ ‚ “ ” € ‹ ‹ ‚ ‚ ‘„ ‰ ” Ž • – € ‰

Join the MSA Snowmobile Club of your choice, by scanning the QR Code below and join the fun! MSA, PO Box 80 Augusta ME 04332 207-622-6983 Fax: 207-622-7669

mainesnowmobileassociation.com

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From The Executive Board

From the President

to show off what you are doing, request help for an upcoming project and help keep riders informed. Thank you all for what you do. It is greatly appreciated. I returned from a trip to the SledMass snowmobile show in West Springfield Massachusetts with a few others from the MSA. We set up our booth and talked snowmobiling in Maine with hundreds of people. Almost everyone had a story of riding in Maine. Riders of all ages are looking forward to trips to our trail system, many are already club members and enjoy the MSA paper and either had or were very interested in the trails app. The new MSA app is gaining traction & trails! If you haven’t downloaded it yet you should soon so you are ready to hit the trails with new technology. If you are a club member or officer, make sure you discuss this at your next meeting and get your trails and points of interest (POI’s) captured and sent into our great team (Brent, Mike & John) to get them on the app before the riding season gets underway. As you prepare to ride locally or on a trip you will see some changes, as always, in the trails across Maine this season. Landownership changes, plans for timber management activities and new developments happen all over and all the time. A big THANK YOU As the New Year approaches, the MSA and its 285 Clubs throughout the State start to turn their focus from repairing and maintaining equipment and their trail infrastructure to signing and trail grooming. At least in a perfect world that is how it should work. We can’t stress enough the importance of signing our trails for many reasons. The most important reason being safety. We encourage our fellow snowmobilers from all over the Northeast to come to Maine and experience the best trails that money can buy, hands down! With that being said, we all take on a sense of responsibility in regards to making sure that we not only give them a quality product to ride on but also a safe one. To most riders a trail system that is signed well and that gives them a reassuring sense of where they are at all times is a huge part of the reason why they will return again and again. Signage is also important in that it alerts the Snowmobiler that there is a possible hazard coming up or of an approaching corner, or maybe it is an informational sign for food, gas or lodging. In any case good trail signage is one of the most important aspects of any trail system and should be done before any grooming activities start. Now please faces. The project is for you folks, and I do wish more would get involved. This raffle has been around for a long time. The vendors who take the time to donate prizes make our raffle very inviting. Many folks who buy tickets do so to support the clubs; without their generos ity, they’d have to look for other ways to make money. The raffle sleds and trailers made their way around the great State of Maine again this year. With stops in Bucksport twice, up to Anson-North Anson, SC, they made it to the Dexter Hot Dog Festival via the Wasakeag, SC. Over to the Pleasant Mountain Club in Bridgton, up to the famous Fryeburg Fair, over to Ripley for the annual auction, Eastbound to Glenburn for two different affairs, Oakland got into the act, and of course, the famous Lexington Highlanders cook out. Ashland grass drags were another stop. Just recently, the Cobacobsee SC from West Gardner. If I left anyone out, I’m sorry. You all did a great job, and those clubs that sold at the show made it happen as well. Let’s start with our vendor’s appreciation. Polaris, you folks deliver every year. You ask me what we’d like, and you make it happen. The discounts we received are greatly appreciated. The dealers are always top shelf and very accommodating. This year, Mainly Powersports in Oxford sup plied our raffle sled. This is our number one By now, the MSA Super Raffle will have all been drawn and I’m sure that there are some very excited winners, as the prizes this year were very much over the top. Congratulations to all of the winners as well as a huge Thank You to all of the businesses that sponsored these amazing prizes, it all would not be possible without your support!

before you start throwing rocks at me, trust me I absolutely understand that it takes a tremendous amount of time to properly sign a trail system, and I also get the fact that manpower in our clubs by and large can and is a huge problem, but please do your best with this and I guarantee it will pay dividends in the end. We at the MSA level have a lot behind us at this point in regards to shows, raffles and events in general. But that doesn’t mean by any stretch of the imagination that we can sit on our hands. We have a lot of work to do on the legislative and funding side and will be working hard to get more money back into the hands of the clubs, as well as working towards the second round of the Trails bond grants to help with strengthening the damaged club infrastructures. We also have a couple of Saturday Director’s meetings coming up in February and March and possibly January pending weather and snow conditions. These Saturday Meetings feature ‘Showcase Rides’ where the hosting Club takes us on a tour of their trail system during the day and then hosts the Director’s meeting and dinner in the evening. Look for details on these Weekend events on Facebook, The MSA Website or this Newspaper or call the MSA Office at 207-622-6983. Well that’s all for now folks till next month. And as always if you have anything that you would like to talk about Snowmobile related please reach out to me. I would love to hear from you, my door is always open. Thank You, Mark to the landowners and club volunteers for making re-routes & connections happen to keep our communities & businesses connected to the trails. These can be frustrating from both sides and definitely time consuming, but without your efforts it would be much more difficult for snowmobilers and businesses to connect. Remember that signs over-rule how the trail shows on your paper map or digital screen. Club members know best and on-the ground signage trumps all other means. This winters’ showcase ride & director’s meetings are set for the winter. January à Western Region, February à Millinocket & March à Van Buren. These regional rides are a great way to explore a new area and meet people who you may only have connected with by phone or social media. We will have a ride during the day & MSA Directors meeting in the evening. I really enjoy them and there is no better way to explore a snowmobile region than with the club members who make & maintain the trails. Finally, as we get to the beginning of the riding season, please work as a club to plan a trail side safety check in co-ordination with the Maine Warden Service. It’s a great way to interact with riders and promote safety on the trails. Find a good intersection or location with plenty of visibility and room along the trails, set up for a few hours on a weekend top prize, and she’s a beauty. Our second-place prize is from Ski Doo. MSA dealer of the year, Chase Toys, gave us a great deal that we could not pass up. A shiny traditional yellow Renegade is a 600 with many options and user-friendly features. Nitro Trailer manufacturing in Pittsfield, Maine, we cannot thank you enough for your support over the last few years. You set the bar. The trailers they’ve donated are high-quality and built to last. Thank you, Chad, and your elite crew. Alcom in Winslow is also a very generous giver! Year after year, you come through and help our clubs with top-of-the-line trailers. Thank you, Dan, very much. These two trailer manufacturers are located here in Central Maine. They are becoming the two top builders of utility and many other types of trailers in the country. Right here in our backyard, pretty cool! And a big thank you to Charles and Son in Madison for handling the Nitro paperwork, and to SR1 in Manches ter for handling the Alcom paperwork. Another big prize this year is a $5,000 gift card to any MSA-supporting dealer. A real neat prize is from our friends at Shin Pond, a lengthy stay for 14 at their large cabin! Wow! Shin Pond is a wonderful place to stay, and the food and hospitality are even better!

Treasurer’s Report

Lori Hemmerdinger (207) 890-5455 544 Plains Road • Poland, ME 04274 Treasurer@mesnow.com Respectfully Submitted, Lori Hemmerdinger, Treasurer

Mark Chinnock, President 207-754-9874 544 Plains Road, Poland, ME 04274 napadude66@hotmail.com

H ello Everyone, I would first like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May we all have tons of statewide snow and many days of throttle therapy as well! We have seen cold temps and snow so far in the end of November and the first part of December and we are all keeping our fingers crossed that it continues right through the next few months. From the Executive VP

Monthly Income Monthly Expense

$ 37,357.87 $ 36,038.31 $ 1,319.56 $ 93,956.22 $158,474.03 $163,930.05

Net Revenue

Short Term CD (11/30/25)

Checking (11/30/25)

Dedicated Account (11/30/25)

Pay Pal (11/30/25) Square (11/30/25)

$

989.05

$ 1,220.79 Stripe (11/30/25) - Online Super Raffle $ 4,191.47 Special Events Account (11/30/25) $ 4,987.53 Credit Line (11/30/25) $ - Building Fund (11/30/25) $ 57,177.72 Brian Wass Safety Fund (11/30/25) $ 3,997.73 Scholarship Savings (11/30/25) $ 67,682.63 Scholarship CD (11/30/25) $ - Scholarship 12 Month CD (11/30/25) $ 5,144.35 Larry Lafland scholarship Fund (11/30/25) $ 3 ,069.17 day and help us all improve rider safety and maybe prevent an accident this winter. “Ride safe today, Ride again tomorrow” is not just a great logo for a sticker or shirt, it’s a goal of the MSA and we should strive to promote this message to the riders from the local club level on our trails. Reach out to me or your regional VP to discuss and plan an event like this. Please reach out to us at the MSA if you have any questions or need assistance. We’re here for you! If you have a question, problem, concern, or idea on snowmobiling in Maine, get in touch with me. You can contact me on the phone # or email below. Matt Stedman We had nearly 30 other gift certificates from our statewide network of incredible sup porting businesses. Our raffle is designed to support our MSA clubs. We do everything we can to help them. Hopefully, your club gets involved next year, too. I want to thank SR1 out of Houlton and Chase Toys out of Unity for supplying sleds for the Ashland and Buck sport events. I wanted everyone to have the sleds that particular weekend, but I did not have enough to go around. They came to the rescue. We had sleds and trailers all over the State that weekend! Thank you all for making snowmobiling in Maine a worldwide destination attraction. We have many obstacles ahead of us. We need to sit down with the landowners to discuss our future. We also need to protect the trails we are so privileged to ride. Over 95% of our sys tem is on private land; moving and rerouting is hard work. Any thoughts? Please send me an email. Looks like La Nina is starting as planned, let’s hope so we’re making ice, and there’s snow on the ground! Thank you for all you do. If I can help, give me a call or an email. Be safe out there AL

Matt Stedman 207-557-1921 (call or text) PO Box 621, Ashland ME 04732 Stedman.matt@jdirving.com

W ho else is ready for December? It was pretty cool to be welcomed home earlier this week to a street with snowbanks and a yard with a complete white blanket! It puts a smile on my face and is a reminder that there is still a lot to be done for trail work at my local club. I know most of you (and your clubs) have accomplished lots and it is great to see all the projects getting done statewide showcased on social media. It is a great way

Director of Operations

Alan Swett, 207-872-7282 234 County Rd, Waterville ME 04901 snowtraveler@roadrunner.com S eason’s Greetings to all of you. Hope you all have a fantastic holiday. Another suc cessful raffle has come and gone. Let me start by thanking everyone who participated and helped their clubs earn money! We started back in the summer, gathering items. It’s a great feeling telling the prize winners they’ve won and even better, delivering the major prizes to them and seeing the joy on their

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From The Executive Board Secretary’s Report - Shanna Towle Directors Meeting - Hosted by Lexington Highlanders at Madison VFW, Madison, ME - November 18, 2025

read. Mike Grass Jr made motion to accept as written, with second by Bill Cafarell and motion carried. Treasurer’s Report: Read by Assistant Treasurer Barry Ryan, no issues so will be placed on file at the office. Ex VP Comments: Matt thanked all who attended for coming. Big thank you to Lexington for hosting and providing the meal. Matt had everyone in attendance indicate what club they represented just to get an idea of how many clubs involved. VP reports: Western: Jerry Major- ITS 89 in Oxford still working on issues, ITS 82 possible issue to resolve. Coastal: David Watson- seen some snow but melted quick, need a good freeze then snow, clubs are building bridges (repairs) & clearing trails. Northern: Nick Morrill- not much going on, clubs getting out marking trails Central: Ron Nunes- not much going on, clubs getting out clearing trails & getting ready. Eastern: Eileen Lafland- had a regional meeting with 10 clubs attending, Milford ITS issues resolved. Membership: Eileen said they are starting to come in quickly please look in the November newsletter for the regional numbers. When sending in the transmittal forms if person is an associate or not have a card, please mark them with an X. If sending in and adding to old list please mark who needs adding so it’s easier to find and not hunt through to match everything. Director of Operations & Safety: Al Swett- show went well. Safety- Al said that most accidents are preventable. There is an IF&W safety course that can be taken, make sure to is for the scholarship fund. There are clubs out there that dedicate their returnable bottle money to the fund to help continue supporting anyone who wants to apply and further their education. As mentioned in the November article, the scholarship committee is still in the process of clarifying some of the paper work in order to open a new CD with the $60,000 from the old CD. Once the paperwork is completed that money will be transferred into the new account. It is not too early to complete a scholarship application and submit it to the MSA office. All applications must be postmarked and pref erably received in the MSA office by April 1, 2026. The USPS mail delivery system seems to be getting slower, so get a start on it now. The applications can be accessed on the MSA website. They can also be submitted through a formstack application which is also on the website. There are a few requirements that an applicant needs to do before submitting the request, so please take the time to look it over well and submit all information requested. Once again, this year there will be three $1500 scholarships awarded at the MSA annual meeting in April. The winners are required to complete their first semester at the school of their choice and then submit a copy of their second semester registration form to receive the funds. The 2026 winners will have the money sent to their school in Jan. 2027 after your registration information is received. Reminder to the April 2025 winners. Please submit your second semester registration information to the MSA office so your awards can be paid out. That’s all for this month. The MSA scholarship Committee

check your sled before you ride, know the conditions before you go ride Scholarship: Barry Ryan- talked about the deadline for April 1st for applications, appreciate all the donations to the scholarship fund (they make it possible) Trails: Brent Spaulding- started having monthly committee meetings, route assignment dinners getting scheduled, new MSA trail app has been released and need clubs to submit permission forms (for posting trail data, POI, etc.) and submit data to add to the app. Please send data to trails@mesnow. com also the municipal grant deadline is December 1 st . Funding: Matt says been working on reshaping bill for next session. Hospitality & Hall of Fame: Gail Ryan- start thinking and getting nominations in now for Hall of Fame. The review deadline is Feb 28th. Sent out several cards to various people including President Mark Chinnock get well. Joke given. Old Business: Super Raffle: doing well, deadline for clubs to get credit is 12/5 but can still submit up to the day of the raffle on 12/11. Next Director’s Meeting is at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer and need to RSVP on line for attending dinner. Powersports Show: did a good job with the show with the new changes but have plans to make it better for next year. New Business: Funding: Matt introduced a mock up idea about registration costs fees that had ideas

for lower cost if registered early. Ron Nunes made a motion to support this idea and move forward with a draft, this was seconded by Jerry Major, there was some discussion and motion was carried. Social Media Guidelines: Matt presented a possible policy for social media posts and to amend bylaws to address this. Maine Trails Program: Shanna said that the MTP ambassadors extended the grant survey from November 16th to the 23rd to give more time for clubs to give honest feedback on the grant process to improve for the next round. Club President recognition: 4 presidents recognized at the meeting Announcements: • Looking for information when MSA clubs were established with the name of the club and year and when affiliated with MSA and if been continuously part of MSA. Want to create a list to recognize club milestones (like 10, 20, 50 years) • Lexington still has 2 hunter’s breakfasts scheduled the next couple of Saturdays • 1/10 Anson Fishing Derby at Sandy Pond in Emden • 1/24 January Director’s Meeting • 2/7 Timber Cruisers ride from Millinocket to Medway & Director’s Meeting • 3/14 Gateway SC Van Buren host ride & Director’s Meeting Pot of Gold: Ron mixed up the clubs and was drawn by Al who chose Narrow Guage in Strong, but no one in attendance so back in the pot. 50/50: winning ticket was 958032 and won by Brent Spaulding Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm. ing to see Mother Nature rewarding us for all our efforts to prepare for the riding season. As for your sled, have you checked battery, sliders, and carbides? Changed the oil? Installed those accessories you bought at the show? Of course, I’m sure the first thing you did was get it regis tered, right? Hopefully by the time you actually read this there will be some early season riding. The Trail Committee is in its usual pattern of monthly meetings and regular contact with clubs. December is when we get an updated contact list from club grant data, so any discrep ancies on contacts should be resolved. There was a signage workshop on Dec 13th in Rum ford in conjunction with the hill climb at Black Mountain. It was good to get a session done in that area. As always, reach out and I can come to YOUR club and run another session. Our efforts to include club data in the MSA TRAILS APP continue daily. There has been a steady stream of emails and for that, we thank you. The upcoming riding season will continue to enhance map data and accuracy. The committee will be recording their rides to ensure our plots are spot on. If your club has not yet sent in club trail data and are having trouble with the process, reach out to me. I will get you up to speed. All for now, Brent Monthly Total as of Nov. 24, 2025 Family memberships 3,883 Business memberships 829 For a total of 4,712 Totals by Region Central 541 Coastal 571 Eastern 1,193 Northern 1,066 Western 1,333 For a total of 4,704 182 clubs out of the 285 have submitted memberships at this point. Rangeley has over 400 memberships cur rently and Washburn has over 200 currently. There are four clubs with over 100 mem berships and seventeen clubs with over 50 memberships. That does mean there are over 100 clubs who have not submitted any mem berships as of Nov. 24 th . Regional VP’s- You can contact Eileen if you would like to know which clubs have no members at this time.

Shanna Towle, Secretary 207-341-1747 878 Main Steet, Palmyra, ME 04965 shannatowle@gmail.com

ATTENDEES: in person: Ex VP Matt Stedman, Secretary Shanna Towle, Treasurer Lori Hemmerdinger, Richard Horne, Catherine Horn, Ernie Falcone, Kathy Falcone, Paula Huff, Lori Nunes, Ron Nunes, Cecil Wilson, Paul Brocheau, Estelle Carey, Ken Carey, Al Swett, Jay Hanson, Tom Child, Ed Brownell, Bob Flagg, Terri Major, Jerry Major, Tracie Mari, Bill Cafarell, Brad Porter, Theodore Mysiaszek, John Nelson, via Zoom: David Watson, Laurie Plourde, Charlie Huntington, John Shoum, Nick Morrill, Mike Delong, Robert Corthell, Brad Barker. Meeting called to order at 7:01pm by Ex VP Matt Stedman. Salute to the American flag. Secretary’s Report: Copies handed out to

Scholarship Committee

Trails Committee Chair Report

Brent Spaulding, MSA Trails Chairman 207-944-7762 41 Madison Ave Brewer ME 04412 msatrailchair@gmail.com G reetings from Brewer, As I write this, it’s actually snowing ! The cold and winter weather pattern are finally set tling in. I can imagine that many clubs were scrambling to get stakes in and signage up. I know there were a few in our area. It’s excit

Eileen Lafland, 207-843-7813 PO Box 733, Holden ME 04429 L.andE.lafland525476@gmail.com

****CORRECTION TO THE NOV. ARTICLE. It should have said donation from the 50/50 of the Oct. MSA directors mtg was $60 from the directors and not $600. OOOPS my mistake!!***** Welcome to December everyone! Another year is almost over. Where does the time go? The scholarship committee members wish everyone a safe and Merry Holiday season and Best Wishes for 2026! At the November Directors meeting hosted by the Lexington Highlanders the 50/50 amount that will be placed in the scholarship fund was $55. Thanks to all who bought tick ets and helped the scholarship fund grow. Just a friendly reminder, clubs can make donations to the scholarship fund at any time and they can be sent to the MSA office, specifying it

From The Membership Corner

MSA CLUBS: TO ORDER CLUB TRAIL SIGNAGE

TO ORDER NEEDED ITS & JCT SIGNS Contact Mike Grass Sr. MSA Trails Committee

Eileen Lafland, 207-843-7813 PO Box 733, Holden ME 04429 L.andE.lafland525476@gmail.com

Contact Vanessa Haas DACF/Snowmobile Program Phone (207) 287-4957 Fax (207)287-8111 Vanessa.Haas@maine.gov

T hank you to the clubs for sending in the memberships and keeping us busy entering them in to the system. October and November have been busy months. Keep them coming.

252 Condon Road, Plymouth, ME 04969 207-368-4914 home • 207-745-2745 cell Grasslands252@gmail.com

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From The Executive Board

CLUB MEMBERS Once grooming begins submit your trail reports to: EDITOR@MESNOW.COM Please include your name and club affiliation So in short, there is lots more information to come and 2026 will be busy! Stay tuned for more updates, ways to engage, and informa tion that may impact you and your club. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy a wonderful holi day season and a healthy happy start to 2026. James Cote MSA Lobbyist Safe snowmobilers know they are respon sible for the sled and how it operates. And how they respect the landowners’ property, on which we are privileged to ride. You have to use good judgment; you have to maneuver through a variety of trail conditions, maybe ice, dirt, or deep snow. The trails change from location to location. Prepare for emergencies. Bring a cell phone, a spare drive belt, electrical tape, duct tape, an extra key, fire starter materials if you get lost, a first aid kit, a flashlight, a spare headlight bulb, and a spare taillight bulb, knife, fuses and tow rope. With today’s technology, satel lite-tracking devices can save your life. I’ve seen them work, and they are available at dealers. These days, we have to be aware that many bad people want your sled and trailer. Prevent theft by removing your key when making a pit stop. Never leave your sled unattended. Use cables and secure padlocks to keep your trailer and sled where they should be in your possession. Watch out for black ice when towing with a trailer or when driving anything on the roads. Towing a trailer on paved and dirt roads is a challenge; be careful going down hills. Secure your sled with a tie-down bar to prevent it from moving in the trailer. Many secure the rear with a strap. Always check your lug nuts after each trip. Check the tire pressure and confirm your trailer’s weight capacity. Don’t overload your trailer. Use extended mirrors to see behind you while towing. A spare tire is a must. If you have trailer brakes, make sure they work. And have you registered? Your first ride of the season is always mem orable, and most accidents happen in the first month. That’s why we all need to take it easy and enjoy the trails slowly, get reacquainted with your machine. We have many clubs in the MSA. They’re the best; their passion and dedication are sec ond to none. Every one of their members goes out of their way to make Maine a worldwide destination point for snowmobiling. Thanks! Be safe out there! Al relationships with your legislators, no mat ter who they are, as we need their support in Augusta! Take the time to have a cup of coffee with them and introduce your club. With the November election will also come a new governor, new commissioners, and other key state staff. I will be monitoring this closely for MSA, and introducing candidates to our issues over the coming months. We want to have great relationships with whoever is elected heading into 2027. Additionally, overall, I’ve been pleased with the general reaction and response to the Maine Trails Bond program. And while there are certainly continued improvements to make, I think future years will continue to provide sig nificant opportunities for local clubs. Matt Stedman and I also monitored and par ticipated in a recent stakeholder process on the future of recreational access to private land in Maine. That process continues to wind down and we will be sharing the final report and any subsequent actions from the Legislature. And recently, we’ve begun a dialogue with the Maine Forest Products Council about potential impacts of the next Comprehensive Land Use Plan by the Land Use Planning Commission and issues that MSA will have to keep our eyes on as that plan is developed over the coming months and years.

valuable opportunity for clubs to connect and discuss important matters. It is important for each club to designate at least two directors, and these directors are encouraged to attend all statewide MSA Directors Meetings, whether in person or via Zoom. The statewide meetings are designed to be both informative and beneficial, keeping clubs up to date on key topics such as legislation, grant opportunities, and issues affecting landowners. If your club would like to discuss any of these topics further, please feel free to reach out. Landowner Appreciation In a recent conversation with a trail master, we discussed ways to express our gratitude to Landowners who generously allow us to use their land for our trails. Hosting trails is a popular way for landowners to support the community. Additionally, groomed trails during deep snow provide significant benefits for wildlife. Deer, moose, and other animals are able to travel more easily, conserving energy as they move across the landscape. The MSA, along with myself as Central Region VP, are committed to supporting you. Please do not hesitate to reach out whenever you have a need or concern. Upcoming Events Reminder: The Director’s Meeting and Super Raffle are scheduled for December 11th at Jeff’s Catering & Event Center. Thank you for your continued support and dedication! Ron Nunes, Central Region VP Eastern Region Clubs- MSA is trying to determine how long clubs have been 100% affiliated clubs with the MSA. This means we are attempting to see how long each club has been established, and all their members have been MSA members. We know we have clubs that have been around over 50 years. Please send me an email of the name of your club and when your club joined MSA or if it was established before MSA, I would like to know that as well. I know Eastern Maine Snowmo bilers in Holden was established in 1969 and joined MSA in 1970, making this their 55th year of continuous operation. Anyone else? As we look in to the new year, each region will be sponsoring a ride and the MSA direc tors meeting at some point. Thanks to Charlie Huntington, Northern Timber Cruisers, East Branch Snow Rovers, and Jo- Mary Riders and especially MOTHER NATURE and OLE MAN WINTER this event will happen on Feb. 7 th for the Eastern Region. Watch the January paper for more info! Until next month- Help a club by donating a few hours for trail work, join a club or two or three, attend a club meeting, attend a MSA Directors meeting, register your sleds, and service your trailer but most importantly- Get ready to RIDE!! Have a safe Holiday season and enjoy the time with family and friends! Eileen D ecember checklist; Register sled, service sled, check gear, check helmet, Snow Dancing all the time!!! Happy Holidays to all. Congratulations to all Super Raffle winners. I hope you enjoy all that you won. It’s been a great start to the season with cold temps freezing up the ground and lakes, snow is falling on a regular basis, clubs are out doing trail work getting ready to ride. Thank you to all volunteers who make our trails the best in the EAST!!! I don’t have a lot to report this month so, I’m heading out to my garage and put new carbides on my sled. Ride safe and enjoy the ride. Dave given work day, clubs report they can’t seem to get people to assist. I would like to chal lenge everyone who is reading this right now to contact a local club, or any club and ask what you can do to help them. We all like to ride on trails that are brushed, signed well, and bridges that are strong, but this can’t and doesn’t happen by itself. I hear it frequently that the trail crew people are getting older and tired and may not get everything done. PLEASE, PLEASE help them out!

Safety Committee

Eastern Region VP

Eileen Lafland 207-843-7813 PO Box 733, Holden ME 04429 L.andE.lafland525476@gmail.com H appy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Best Wishes for 2026 Everyone! WOW!! Another year is almost in the rear view mirror. It doesn’t seem possible that time flies by so fast. Maybe by the time you are reading this, the ground will be frozen and covered in snow so everyone can get out there and ride. Be very careful if you do ride as early season can bring challenges. I am still hoping to set up regional meetings in areas of the eastern region. By the time this paper hits your mailbox or inbox, there may have already been one and another one in the works. It seems like time catches up to me so quickly and I don’t accomplish what I plan to but my intentions are there. Eastern Region clubs are still doing a great deal of trail work to get ready for the season. It is difficult for all clubs in the state to get volunteers to come help. MSA has roughly 5,000 members as I write this but on any

Alan Swett 207-872-7282 234 County Rd, Waterville ME 04901 snowtraveler@roadrunner.com H ello Snowmobilers! We’re starting with early snowfall and freezing temperatures. This will lead eager riders to get out and hit the newly fallen snow. The first ride is like getting back on your horse after a while. This is when accidents and mis haps happen very quickly. Remember how your sled operates, check over the controls while it’s sitting still and not running. Throt tle brake levers, all the things that make it go. Oil levels, grease fittings, chain case, lights, front and rear. Common-sense items we take for granted. Start slow and easy. You should be able to identify the standard parts of your snowmobile. Look them over for any defects. Mirrors, windshield, hood, skis, know your control switches, hand/thumb warmer, park ing brake, emergency stop button, starter switch. Will my battery make it through this season? Or my track, drive chain, drive belt, clutching, spark plugs, and fuel filter? Suspen sion and shocks between the front and rear are crucial, too. Have a trained dealership look it over if you cannot do it.

Central Region VP

MSA Lobbyist Capitol Report

Ron Nunes, 401-527-5370 260 Last Round Up Rd, Lexington Twp, ME 04961 Thelastroundup2018@gmail.com G reetings to Central Region Members and Riders, I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving! As you may know, clubs across the Central Region have been working diligently to prepare for the upcoming season. Volunteers have been clearing brush, repairing bridges, and ensuring that tracks are in top condition. All that remains is for us to wait for a heavy frost and a blanket of snow so we can officially kick off our activities. Directors Meeting Recap We recently held a Central Region Directors Meeting, which was attended by approximately 30 participants. This gathering provided a

James Cote MSA Lobbyist

H

appy Winter Maine Snowmobilers! I have been excited to watch the snow and ice build up in Western Maine over the last couple of weeks. As we are all talking about, hopefully these cold temperatures will make for a splendid winter riding season! Over the past several months, MSA leader ship and I have continued to work on our ideas for the upcoming legislative session and how we will approach our bill that was carried over last spring. We continue to meet and talk regu larly with various stakeholders, including leg islators and state agencies about how we can craft a proposal that can obtain broad support and deliver critical additional funding to our member clubs. The Legislature will reconvene in early Jan uary to continue this work and we will con tinue advocating as aggressively as possible for additional funding. We will continue to report in to you as we progress. I expect that the legislative session will move fast and furi ous this year, as many legislators and candi dates will want to be out on the campaign trail as early as possible in advance of the election this November. Which is a good reminder to encourage all clubs to continue to build strong

Coastal Region VP

David Watson • 207-205-1558 412 Roberts Ridge Rd, E Waterboro, ME 04030 Dwatson6841@gmail.com

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