8306-R2_MSA_March2023

MSA Club News

forward to having them again. The club has started a Venmo account (@ FryeburgSnow) to allow folks to make dona tions much easier than mailing a check. Thank you so very much to all who have donated so far. Your support is astounding! Kudos to all our groomer operators for doing such great work with less than ideal amounts of snow. We’ve received many thank you’s and great reviews about the trails. Always remember to ride safe, stay to the right and respect our landowners! Sincerely, PEJEPSCOT SNO-CHIEFS Lisbon Falls, ME Find us on Facebook Hello from Pejepscot Sno-Chiefs! It’s bittersweet to write about an event that is likely ending after 30 years..... We celebrated our 30th annual World’s Greatest Sleigh Ride fundraiser on Sunday, Feb. 19 th , a fabulous weather day, not too cold, not too warm, and just enough snow. We had a great turnout and once again the line was crazy long. Betty and I had people at the ticket booth long before the Teams were ready to start, but this year there were plenty of larger sleighs that kept the line moving fast. We enjoyed seeing all the regulars, new faces, and of course our friends and family! The Curtis family had their famous hot, homemade donuts available at the Snack Shack, along with hot lunch items like chowders, stews, hot dogs, but this year Steve decided to change things up and not charge anyone for any of the food! It was his way of giving back for all the generous support people have given over the years. But I did notice the donation jar was full just the same, honestly, it’s heartwarming how much people will support a cause like Camp Capella and we appreciated it all very much! So many people to thank for this year’s event, whether it was their first time helping, or they were here all 30 years. Actually, too many to list and I wouldn’t want to forget any one, so consider yourself thanked, you know who you are! Gordon & Louise Curtis had a “kitchen table” idea that came to life 30 years ago because friends and members got behind their idea, and 30 years later it’s still a hit! You couldn’t look out across all the activity and not picture in your mind Gordon roaming around the place visiting with everyone, wear ing his signature red pants. We sure did miss you, Gordon. So, at noontime, we shut down for a few minutes, and the Pejepscot Sno-Chiefs pre sented Steve Curtis with a beautiful, hand made , one of a kind wooden plaque, featuring Gordon’s favorite sleigh, and honoring the Curtis Family’s dedication over the years. A heartfelt thank you for 30 years of a most suc cessful fundraiser event! I think I speak for everyone involved how happy we’ve been to be included. Special thanks to the Maine Farmers Draft Horse, Pony, & Mule Club for donating every bit of their time all these 30 years. We couldn’t have a Sleigh Ride without your participation! Your dedication to supporting our fundraiser is so appreciated. I will have a final tally of our donation to Camp Capella next month, thinking it’s going to be a good one! We did have our regular club meeting Feb. 14 th , and enjoyed a pizza/sub dinner courtesy of the club. Discussion focused on the upcom ing Sleigh Ride, closed trails, and our Appre ciation Dinner April 1 st , at the MTM Center, meet at 3pm, eat at 4pm. Hope to see every one who helped at the Sleigh Ride there! Our next club meeting will be Tues, March 14 th , 6pm, this won’t be a dinner meeting, but we should have desserts to tempt you into joining us! Until then, I’ll be getting my greenhouses ready for our first shipment of plants, hope fully the weather cooperates and you get in Bridget Gorton Club Secretary

Hi there! In regard to the trails in Oxford, I can report that they are 99% brushed....and the water holes have been filled in and were fro zen last we checked. What is REALLY hurt ing our trails now is the warm weather. Our trail guys have been “over the top” trying to keep up with this VERY unusual winter. They deserve SO MUCH credit! One of the trails that crosses the river actu ally has one of the best bridges in our area... Maybe the correct word would be “HAD”. The heavy rain and then the ice jam took part of the bridge and moved it over. Our guy on the groomer could see that it was moved somewhat, but couldn’t see to the other end where the bridge had tipped. At the other end, the groomer also tipped and did damage to the bridge. Several hours later, they were able to get back to land. They know they will need to remake most of it. In the meantime, Dan got some cable and secured the bridge to shore until further work can be done. We’re planning a cookout in May for a combination member and landowner event. Watch for information about it. So, if you are able to ride somewhere..... PLEASE ride safe. Terri Major, Secretary ANDOVER SNOW VALLEY SNO-GOERS Andover, ME Hello from Andover Snow Valley Snow Goers, As February is coming to an end, we hav en’t had a lot of snow yet, we are hoping for some March snow. Think cold, think snow!! Our trails are still holding up for what little we have had… Have you ever wondered where the years have gone when we had more snow than we could wish for, well where the heck have they gone I say!!!! If you find them put an order in for us up here in Andover. We have been very busy at our Clubhouse!! We have met some very nice people, heard a lot of interesting stories present and past . We want to reach out and thank everyone that has helped, donated and or just hung out for a cup of coffee. We especially want to thank our Groomers for keeping our trails up so you all can ride. Don’t forget to stop by on your way through, we are open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 to 2. We have light lunches, coffee, tea and hot chocolate for the kiddo-s and some snacks too and as always taking donations. Hats T-shirts will be available, hat are $15.00 shirts are $10.00. We’ll have memberships both personal and business available as well. Stop by, get warm, have lunch, and share your thoughts with us. Administrator Sherry Donovan Greetings all, Have you ever seen a hound hot on a rab bit trail? Nose to the ground and going full speed till the job is done. Well, have you ever seen our president, Roland, on the trail to a Tucker groomer? I (his wife) have for a long time wanted to travel to the Adirondack Mts in NY and also see Niagara Falls. The answer is always “I don’t want to do that but you go.” After finding out about a Tucker for sale in NY and phones blowing up for a day, we were headed for NY. Driving all night long, the only vehicle on the road besides the big rig truckers, we arrived in Lisle, NY at 8 am. An hour later the groomer and drag was purchased, a snow fall had started, and we were headed back to Maine, arriving home at 5 pm. So, my bucket list to areas of NY is still pending but I feel I may have some leverage to work with now at least. At a special meeting a month later, club members voted to purchase the groomer and drag from Roland at cost. After the big storm in March there were deer everywhere in the snowmobile trails and they didn’t want to get off the trails as snow mobilers approached. We saw one little guy dive off the trail and plopped up to his neck in snow. He just laid there for a while. One deer got struck and killed on the Railroad bed. New signs were added to warn of the deer hazard. Due to a warmer winter this year ITS 89 North on Merton Jones property has a wet area STREAKED MOUNTAINEERS sc Buckfield, ME

from runoff, making the trail miserable in that area. We apologize for everyone’s misery and plan to do major work over the off season to improve the trail in the fall. We are all very saddened by the passing of one of our young members who was involved in a tragic snowmobile accident in mid-Feb ruary. He leaves behind a wife and two young daughters as well as parents, siblings, and many close friends. He had been expressing some interest lately in grooming trails and would have been a great asset in picking up as older members phase out. We send our thoughts and prayers to his family and as a club have donated to Denny’s Gofundme account, which has substantially exceeded the original goal. Leah Frechette, Club reporter

(Continued from Page 9) many independent-minded snowmobilers! Thank You Steve - your hard work and lead ership are key to the success of our trips. Snow conditions around Millinocket were perfect, trails were excellent, and temperatures ranged from about 19 - 37 degrees. There was a lot of brilliant sunshine. It is impossible to adequately describe how beautiful snow-cov ered Mt. Katahdin is against the blue sky. The attached photos can’t do it justice. The Club members trailered up to the Bax ter Park Inn for a 5-night stay, which included a “Meet and Greet Pizza Party” on Sunday night. Delicious buffet breakfasts were pro vided every morning by the Inn. One evening, Club members supported the East Branch Sno Rovers SC spaghetti sup per, complete with garlic bread, coffee, tea, soft drinks and desert. This was followed by their local 15-piece band that provided enter tainment and dance music. Two of our own Club members, John Clement and Dwayne Hendrix, sang and played guitar. Their perfor mance can be seen on The Bridgton Facebook Page. During the day, we divided into smaller groups for riding, which allowed everyone to ride with a group matching their own ability and interests. There are many lunch destina tions within a range of 6 - 60 miles, includ ing Shin Pond Village, Wildwood Trailside Camps, Matagamon Wilderness, and Kok adjo. Many of us enjoyed lunches at the new Knife’s Edge Brewing, part of NEOC, set on top of a hill looking across at Mt. Katahdin. In addition to their own brews, the place features delicious wood fired pizza, sandwiches, and soft drinks. The next meeting of Bridgton Easy Riders is scheduled for Friday, March 10 th , 2023 at 6:45 PM at The Bridgton Community Cen ter: There will not be a Pot Luck Supper this time. Hope to see you there, Bill Preis BER Club Correspondent 207-647-2847 To See dozens of photos and videos—go to: https://www.facebook.com/bridgtoneasyridersclub/ norwaytrackerssnowmobileclub@gmail.com Mother Nature has come out swinging again. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our open house and light parade, but we have had some good riding here in Norway though. This is the last newsletter of the season. Thank you to all our members for your sup port. We have gained a lot of new members this year. Hopefully you were able to get some riding in. This season was less than ideal for sure, but the members of our club do a fantas tic job of turning it into the best possible. We have spent countless hours prepping our trails and equipment in hopes of a long season with lots of snow. We have been able to get out grooming several times so far this season. The dedication of our crew is unparalleled. The evidence of this is easily scene when riding our trail system. We are hosting our landowner appreciation dinner on March 25 th at the Norway fire sta tion. Our last meeting of the season will be on April 4 th . Have a great summer. See you in September. Dan Trouant, club reporter Hello everyone, What a crazy winter we’ve had! Just when we thought it was over it bounced back for another round. Let’s hope the temps stay cold and we get more snow. I’m sure you may have noticed that we hav en’t had our annual poker rally for the last couple years. We’ve had to wait longer than expected to get a gaming license that allows us to sell the poker hands. We will most defi nitely be starting them up again next winter and will post all the details as soon as they’re available. This is such a fun event and I look NORWAY TRACKERS Norway, ME Find us on Facebook FRYEBURG AREA SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION Fryeburg, ME

LIVERMORE TRAIL BLAZERS sc Livermore, ME

Like up on FB or contact us email: livermoretrailblazersme@gmail.com Greetings from the Livermore Trail Blazers SC!

Our Trailmasters have been out and about maintaining the base riding surface, marking the chronic problem areas to keep riding safe for all. While addressing safety issues for our trail riders, Club president, Mike Perry would like to send out a reminder, our trails are closed to vehicles, snowmobiles only at this time. Thank you.

A Trail master ran into some folks enjoying the sport and experiencing the beauty in our community on the trails. Makes it all worth while! We may not have the most snow in the region, but we do have a good share of the wil derness trail beauty.

As with any other sport, you have faith because you love it. The sport of snowmo biling, some years you have more faith than snow, but the next storm will be the win! Enjoy! You do not need to be a member to enjoy the Trail Blazer maintained trails, but your memberships dues help with the expenses to maintain the trails. Please consider joining your local club or donating to the cause. The Livermore Trail Blazers Club meets monthly, 2 nd Wednesday of each month at the Chuck Wagon restaurant – All are welcome, come and enjoy a great meal and camaraderie with like-minded snowmobiling enthusiasts. It’s February 14 th and the temperature is 49 degrees. Not very winter like. The trails are holding up with spring like conditions. There have been machines out but not like in years past. Our annual Poker Rally is going to be held at the town municipal building. All the cards will be pulled at sign in. The trails will not hold up for the rally. There will be food and raffles as usual. The extended forecast DENMARK DRAGGERS sc Denmark, ME

some last minute riding! Respectfully submitted, Libby Nilsen, club reporter

ROCK-O-DUNDEE RIDERS Oxford, ME

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