7777-R2_MSA_Oct2021_MaineSnowmobiler

From the President

Andover and anywhere south of CD-1 on ITS 89. My goal this winter is to get to one or all of these places. What/where is on your snowmobile bucket list? The last few years, coastal/southern Maine haven’t had a very long riding season. Luckily, with a relatively short trailer tote to Newport, Skowhegan or Millinocket, you could hit the trails and head north to a deeper snowpack. Last winter, even with Covid protocols, restaurants and hotels were able to provide services to Maine snowmobilers. Was it different, yes, but the experience was still the same, Maine Snowmobiling equals Awesome! Have I gloated enough here? Have I said I think Maine snowmobiling is Awesome enough here? Maybe, but I love Maine Snowmobiling and I love the people who make Maine Snowmobiling happen and I love the people who enjoy Maine Snowmobiling. Now that I’m done gloating about Maine, please plan to attend the Maine Snowmobile Show in Augusta, buy some Super Raffle tickets and get the sled and gear ready to go. Only another month or so before the white stuff is here. Ok let’s head to the New Portland Fair…. it was awesome! The Lexington Highlander’s SC sold raffle tickets and showed the Ski- Doo sled which brought in lots of interest and money to their bank account. Another great event made possible by Maine Snowmobilers. The area VP’s have been busy as well. Jack Lord, Larry & Eileen Lafland, Jim Boyce, Dave Watson, and Matt Stedman went into the membership kit delivery service. They saved us lots of money on postage by delivering many of the boxes to you folks. If you did not receive one, please let us know. Would also like to thank Mark Chinnock, Peter Ford, Bob Flagg and everybody else who helped. The September meeting in Saco was a success. Great food and put on by an awesome club! It was wonderful seeing you all. And by the way if anybody is out for a nature walk on the Cumberland SC trail system and hear a harmonica playing in the woods it’s my old buddy Bill Brazier. He is practicing to be as good as Boston based Richard Salwitz, known as the legendary Magic Dick he is one of the best players in the Country! Keep practicing buddy!! If you’d like to volunteer to help out at the show give us a call so we can sign you up. This event is an all hands on deck and we can use your help. Please call the office if you need anything. If I don’t know the answer I’ll try to find someone who does. I Can’t thank you enough for all you do! Be safe out there, AL Think Snow (and Cold) Mike, MSA President clean, professional, and objective discussion on this subject. Whatever the outcome ends up, the MSA can’t be more appreciative for the decades of landowner support. Each month I try to drum up some sort of info that will help our industry responsibly and economically grow and here’s a topic that falls right in that arena: Available Grants. Most clubs know of the four grants available from the state. (If you don’t, attend the MSA show on Sat, Oct. 23 rd and you’ll go away a professional). USDA has thrown in a twist as of recent with many receiving some sort of aid, but the legwork is a bit more extensive. It’s been an incredible boost though! However, have you checked in with your manufacturers? There is no doubt without them; this sport would be seeing a total different outlook. On some quick research, Ski Doo offers up a program called PASS (Protect, Access, Sustain and Support) www. ski-doo.com/us/en/snow-pass-grant-program. If you haven’t noticed that Ski Doo is riding a high wave at the moment you must clearly have your helmet on backwards. I’m sure they Welcome October to the gateway to winter. There a lots of projects going on, trail widening, new bridges, reroutes and getting Safety Committee Chair Report H ello Friends!

get new people excited about our sport. We all know how awesome it is. That is why we are the ones who need to spread the “Gospel” of snowmobiling in Maine. Give them a map, show them a Super Raffle ticket, tell them about riding to your favorite trailside restau- rant and your favorite scenic overlook. Tell them how nice your sled rides, how quiet it is and how warm the new clothing is without be- ing bulky. Plan a trip to the snowmobile show in Augusta and on the ride home in the car, plan a snowmobiling trip together to introduce them to our favorite winter pastime. Maine snowmobiling is some of, if not the best snow- mobiling east of the Mississippi. We need to spread the word, we need to tell everyone how great snowmobiling in Maine is T his season, the Maine Snowmobiler newspaper will feature different regions of the state with rides, places to stay, interesting venues and people that can make planning a snowmobile trip in Maine easy. We are also looking for guest writers to send in their favorite trips with stories and pictures for all of us to read and see. What better way to “know where to go”. I’ve ridden in a lot of places in Maine but my bucket list includes Bethel, Gilead, Rumford, Mexico, Fryburg, Cliff says we may not see it untill January because of the manufacturer being behind in their production. But, that’s ok it’s a great snowmobile in the 200 beginner class. Two trailers this year! Nitro Trailer from Pittsfield offered to donate to the club’s and MSA a 2022 - 12 foot Hybrid snowmobile trailer a beautiful white enclosed trailer with the drop down rear door an oversized front door and side man door it also has a front crank jack. What a gift! For the last 12 years our generous friends from Alcom in Winslow have come through again and donated another quality Maine built open sled trailer, Alcom/Sno-Pro is one great supporter to the clubs we can’t thank them enough. A $500.00 gift card from the great Kittery Trading Post rounds out the top prizes. Along with more generosity, there are gift cards and certificates from the dealers, motels, and other vendors from all over the state. The raffle is a big money maker for the clubs and a big thank you goes out to all the folks who make it happen. I attended a few events in September. The Lexington Highlanders SC fall chicken barbecue is a tradition, 280 dinners sold! The food is great and the club member’s making it happen are awesome! Sold a few raffle tickets there too! Off to Rockwood, The Blue Ridge Rider’s SC pig roast is a 5-pound weight gain night! The food was incredible the annual auction had some great prizes and it’s always great to see my old friends and make new ones! Ripley is a little club that makes it happen. Their auction brought in lots of cash for trail’s and groomer maintenance. They also had a great raffle sales day. We showed the Polaris/ Ski Doo and Nitro Trailer. A small club with 110% dedication and a great group of true friends! ready to tear into another year of preseason prep. If your one of these people, my hat is off to you. Additionally, the memberships are now starting to make the mailbox boil over. Thanks to all of you for your love and belief of such a great industry for our State. In the State Capitol area, there is not a lot to report at the moment but a huge shout out is in order to Debbie and Kerry Scates of Palermo. They have agreed to listen in on a brainstorming/round table discussion referenced the tabled Sunday Hunting for Landowners (LD-1033) and Approved Parties. MSA being a strong advocate for landowner rights seems fitting to at least be sitting at the table digesting everyone’s thoughts with this. We are trying as we speak to ink in the details of these meetings and will report back after discussions at our directors meetings on the topic. An outcome of these talks is slated to be brought forward sometime in January to the legislature so the timetable is rather quick. Weigh in if you wish. Many discussions of these ideas have surfaced in the past and there are many that hope to have a

would like that to continue. Without trails, that could (and would) be a small issue. Polaris also has a similar program called, with no surprise, “TRAILS”. (Trail development, Responsible riding,Access, Initiatives, Lobbying, and Safety) www.polaris.com/en-us/trails-application. I am sure the other manufacturers and even some outside aftermarket product companies would possibly support the cause as it 100% helps sustain the “big picture”. Now here’s your part… GO GET IT! Why not pump this money to Maine and improve our trails. If you need a letter of support, look me up! On one more front, the steering committee is seeking input for the upcoming editions of the newspaper. We try very hard at “Sharing the Wealth” of Maine, but could use some fresh input from all your clubs, town folk and riders. DON’T HOLD BACK! We know you’re out there from all the past years “showcase rides”. Take us and our audience to your secret snowmobiling paradise. Looking forward to a great season all, See you all at the show! Johnny Monk Heading into fall is also a good time to think about you home safety. Change you smoke alarm and C02 monitor batteries, do you have a fire extinguisher(s)? If you burn wood get your chimney cleaned, how about your oil fur- nace or other heat source, must be ready for a tune up? Make sure you have an escape plan in the event of a fire and a meeting spot when you get outside. Lots to do before winter gets here let’s get it done and do it safe. Ride Safe, AL Lori Hemmerdinger (207) 890-5455 544 Plains Road • Poland, ME 04274 Treasurer@mesnow.com Treasurer’s Report Respectfully Submitted, Lori Hemmerdinger, Treasurer Monthly Income $ 27,523.28 Monthly Expense $ 21,543.91 Net Revenue $ 5,979.37 Checking (9/30/21) $108,641.94 DedicatedAccount (9/30/21) $ 43,299.26 Pay Pal (9/30/21) $ - Special EventsAccount (9/30/21) $ 6,550.04 Credit Line (9/30/21) $ - Building Fund (9/30/21) $ 53,771.68 BrianWass Safety Fund 9/30/21) $ 1,285.01 the equipment back in shape and ready to roll. While you’re doing all this physical work please take the time to be safe. Wear your PPE. It only takes a few seconds to put on a pair of safety glasses, a pair of earplugs a good pair of boots and gloves! Take the time to do these few things and protect your body. While working on your sleds and groomer’s make sure, the equipment is secure if lifted with the proper jacks and blocking. Be aware of pressurized hydraulic systems and charged electrical components. Same at home when getting your sleds and trailers serviced if you do it yourself. October is a good month to check out your clothing and helmet. Maybe you need new a new jacket or snow pants with the MSA show coming up in a few weeks it will be the ideal time to buy new from the many vendors that will be there. I’ve already been asked to do a few safety classes in the area schools, this is a good sign from them to get the message out about snow- mobile safety. IF&W will also have classes available. It’s a good day when we team up with those folks. Last year we had six people die from acci- dents on our trail system. Six too many I say. It’s a tragedy. A sad time that effects all of us. Let’s be safer this year! Be careful and enjoy some of the best trails in New England!

Mike Grass, Jr., 207-368-2316 249 Condon Rd, Plymouth ME 04969 mgrassjr@gmail.com

O ctober is here! Leaves are falling and trail work is beginning in earnest. The Maine Snowmobile Show is coming right up. Now is the time of year, us snowmobilers are getting super excited for the upcoming season. Now is the time for us (Maine snowmobilers) to From the Executive VP & Safety Committee Chair

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

H ello Snowmobilers! Lets get ready for the return of the MSA Show! There’s been a whole lot of interest from many vendor’s that want to get in and get back to business. I’m sure the customer’s will benefit from all the great deals that will be available. Hope to see you at the show. Lot’s going on at the MSA office. The raffle has some incredible prizes. The 2021 Polaris 850 from our friends at Team Woody’s in Topsham and Ryan from Polaris Industries. A 2022 Ski-Doo Renegade 600 EFI from Moosehead Motorsports in Greenville with added plug jack, tunnel protectors, higher windshield with mirror’s in traditional yellow and black makes it a great prize. We could not get a Z120 this year so we settled for a 2022 - Z200 from Kramer’s Arctic Cat in Sidney.

Steering Committee

John Monk Chairman of Steering Committee

H ello Snowmobilers! Just like clockwork, I have now made contact with 8-10 clubs delivering their membership package and find those incredible behind the scenes workers that are

5

m o

o w

2 0 2 1 l M a i n e S n

b i l

e r

O

o b e r

c t