7361-R3_MSA_Nov2020_MaineSnowmobiler

Northern Region VP

Western Region VP events. Also a reminder when out riding this year no matter where you are support local businesses because they are going through the same thing that clubs are going through let’s all do our part. Also, register your sleds and reach out to your local club to see what you could do. Until next month ENJOY THE RIDE STAY SAFE!!

W ell here we are as I’m writing this hopefully elections are behind us and we can get to more important things like snow. Good news here in Kingfield on Nov 3rd we had 2 plus inches of white gold hopefully a sign of things to come. Clubs have been out checking bridges, building new ones and repairing old ones the enthusiasm is great. As we move closer to the season and most fundraisers have been canceled due to COVID-19. Remember to get memberships and sell super raffle tickets a great way to offset our usual

H ello fellow snowmobilers, As I am writing this article, most places in the County have seen snow accumulate on their lawns already, but in most places it has since gone too. Cold nights, cool days, leaves fallen, and deer season are all sure signs that snowmobiling is the next season coming! I am excited, how about you? Aroostook County clubs have been very busy already, with fall trail work underway, new signs installed & trail upgrades to name a few. Many clubs have scheduled work dates for projects of all shapes & sizes coming up, so check in and see how you can help. Remember, many hands make light work & it would be great to have as much done as possible before the snow comes. If you have never helped it is a great way to meet folks in the club where you ride. Most dealers have new sleds coming in daily, and some new grooming equipment is coming to the area this fall too. I cannot wait to see it out working the trails. This new equipment is directly funded by all our snowmobile registration dollars through the State of Maine Capitol Equipment grant. Speaking of funding…there are only 3 ways that snowmobile clubs get funds to maintain trails: 1. State of Maine, Bureau of Parks & Lands, Snowmobile Program offering of grants to reimburse part of the pre-season & in season trail maintenance 2. Club memberships 3. Fundraiser events/donations It is VERY expensive & time intensive to get trails ready and maintain them for the 80,000+ registered snowmobiles that travel on the trails in Maine every season.

James Boyce, 207-265-6512 1168 Fosterhill Road Freeman ME 04983 Jboyce1168@gmail.com

Central Region VP O K, here is the low down folks, from the Central Region. Winter is on the way. Checking with the clubs around and they are out and doing trail work, prepping, and fixing, signing and repairing. Signing is super important again this year. All Stop Signs should have name of road being crossed and if possible a GPS location in case of a rescue operation. I know there are a lot of people out there reading this that would like to help with the work, to find work parties and times, call your local clubs. Great trails don’t just happen on their own, and the more hands the lighter the job. As of right now all, ITS trails in the Central Region are intact. Eastern Region VP While I am in the thanking mood, I want to publicly thank Lori Hem- merdinger and Bob Flagg for the many, many hours spent getting these newspa- pers ready for print. Both these people continue to do their full-time jobs then spend countless hours in the evenings and on the weekends making sure the paper is completed. Lori is also handling all the treasurer duties, Bob all the IT stuff. Another huge thank you to Al Swett who is manning the MSA office while we search for an office manager again. EASTERN REGION CLUBS- I have said it before and will continue to say it- You are the best!! You are out there getting those memberships in, talking to your landowners, doing trail work and keeping your clubs running. A big HATS OFF to the Dennysville SC as they have submitted over 60 new members so far this year! Glenburn Lakeside Riders hosted a meeting in October with clubs in their area in attendance. All the clubs in this region are working hard to get their memberships in to the office and you are doing a wonderful job. I told the Western region at a recent MSA meeting- Look out! Eastern is coming for you! We have a dedicated group of clubs that are doing their best to attract members from other

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

When going out the first few times, please familiarize yourself with the area, slow down, read the signs. There is a lot of logging going on, so please be safe. Now, you have read what’s on my mind, snow, snowmobiling, fun. So help each other, keep Smiling and we will have a good winter. Thank You for your time and work, these two things that you give to your clubs are priceless, and are so appreciated. Stay Safe, Stay Well, see you on the trails, at a meeting or just for coffee (you know where I live) I am here if you need me, I will try to help you with anything I can. Jack Lord

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

Most clubs need to figure out how to come up with between 30-50% of their costs annually. I would encourage you to ask questions about how these 3 funding sources work in the area you ride. This knowledge is very powerful information to help lead discussions with potential club members. This is the last month to sell MSA Super Raffle tickets, they need to be returned by December 11th. If you haven’t purchased yours, ask the local club. Do not miss out on an opportunity to support your club & the MSA financially and have the chance to win one of many amazing prizes. If your club needs more tickets call or email me and I will get you some. If you have a question, problem, concern, or idea on snowmobiling in “The County”, get in touch with me. You can contact me at the phone # or email below. Matt Stedman has a great time!!! 2020 has been a crazy time for all of us. With that said SNOW DANCE is in full swing! Across the state we need snow. I try to follow all clubs with their trail maintenance. I am very proud of all of you, Clubs are “Getting it Done”!!! Thank you for your dedication. With the Canadian border being shut down Maine will be the # 1 spot in the Northeast to ride. Mother Nature please dump our state south to north with plenty of snow! If you have an event coming up please let me know if I can attend or one of my regional directors we certainly will try. Think Snow, Be Safe and enjoy “OUR” season. Thanks, Dave G reetings to all!!! As we enter this holiday season I hope everyone

Jack Lord (207) 672-3915 jacklord5256@gmail.com

H appy Thanksgiving everybody! Well here it is Nov. and that much closer to riding season. I’m not sure about any one else but I can’t wait to get out there and have a good ride. I know there is still much to do before that can happen but March seems like a long time ago and we all need something positive to look forward to, right? Being a member of the Steering Com- mittee for the past year and a half has given me more of an insight into how this organization runs. I can not say enough thank you’s to ALL THE VOLUN- TEERS in this state who keep this orga- nization going. With everyone’s help starting with the club members, officers, committee people, and trail workers and then adding landowners, MSA directors, Committee Chairs, and Officers along with all our friends at the Dept. of Agri- culture, Conservation and Forestry and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, our sport is the greatest it can be. We are truly priv- ileged to have landowners who allow us on their property and volunteers willing to donate soooooooo much time to keep this group moving forward. EVERY- ONE reading this should give yourself a pat or two on the back because you all deserve it. Thanks so much.

Coastal Region VP

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

places to join them. Super Raffle ticket sales are coming in at a good pace. Without the fairs, large events, and the MSA show the money from these sales is much needed by clubs and the MSA. Keep selling and look for the announcement in this paper about the change in the prize for clubs selling tickets. Don’t forget to submit clubs news for the paper everybody. MSA is committed to having a paper a month through the winter months, so get your news in. I’d love to see as many Eastern Region clubs as possible fill those club news pages with what’s going on with you. That’s all until December-

David Watson, 207-205-1558 412 Roberts Ridge Rd East Waterboro ME 04030 dwatson6841@gmail.com

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