8306-R2_MSA_March2023

MSA Hosts the 2023 ISC – Northeast Chapter Meeting By Mike Grass

The 2023 International Snow mobile Council, Northeast Chapter Spring Meetings and Ride descended (pun intended) on the former Loring Air Force Base and the Bunker Inn on February 8th, 2023. MSA and the Bunker Inn were proud to host the representatives from all over the northeast and showcase some of what Maine has to offer to snowmobilers. Presidents, VP’s, Executive Directors, Secretaries, Treasur ers and other “VIPs” from New York, Vermont, New Hamp shire, Massachusetts, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Maine all came togetherWednesday eve ning (Feb. 8 th ) at the Caribou Parks and Rec department for some Maine pizza and the first NEC meeting. Normal agenda items were discussed with a recess voted on about half way through the agenda. Fol lowing the meeting the group “retired” to the new Evergreen Lanes featuring Rendezvous Restaurant for a night cap and were treated to a personal tour of Shawn Pelletier’s vintage snowmobile collection. The oohhs, ahhs and “I had one of those” were just priceless and just a fantastic surprise for the group. Thursday morning (and Friday and Saturday), the Bunker Inn duo of Lori and Judy provided breakfast for the group as we prepared for our first ride to Deans Motor Lodge in Por tage. As with any group this big, trying to keep everyone together is a challenge, so the plan was to get pictures at the Loring hanger first thing while the sun was out and then split into two groups. After a quick drivers meeting, we were off. Well, it almost worked. We had most of the group in the picture. After a quick ride (for me) back to the Bunker and a loaner sled (for someone who will remain nameless), we ALL(40+sleds) headed for our first stop, Washburn. A short break then up 105 and across 90 to Deans at 12:30. To say they were slammed is an understatement. Luckily for us, Northern Region VP Matt Stedman had already told them we were coming and we walked right in. Lunch was incredible as always and we were off to the next stop in Ashland for fuel. The ride to Ashland through the ARSC was as smooth as silk back to Washburn. Then back through Caribou to Limestone. Upon arrival, the Limestone Snow

Hawks had a Chicken Stew dinner waiting for the group. More homemade goodness from Maine. Dinner was fol lowed by the second and final meeting of the weekend where the representatives fin ished up the rest of the agenda items. Thursday night and Friday brought snow to the area and discussions of the famous “wetass” snowmobilers are familiar with. A later than nor mal start for the snow meant a small change of route, but trails were fantastic and close to 30 sleds headed to Lakev iew Restaurant. Again, I hadn’t seen it that busy since the 90’s but we had the banquet room reserved and once again, we walked right in. MSA Northern Region Director Denise Dup erre met us there and ended up knowing some of the Cana dian representatives or their counterparts. After another great northern Maine meal, we headed north, then back east around Long Lake. After Red Arrow, Madawaska and Cold MTN, we hit the Van Buren and Caswell club trails back to Limestone with a second day of fantastic trails. After a quick pit stop at the Bunker Inn, representatives took the short drive to the Boy Scout building in Caribou for Dinner. A big crowd awaited us with smiles and hospital ity. The Caribou Boy Scouts waited our tables making sure everyone had drinks. The Car ibou Snowmobile Club pro vided our meal of Pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans and all the fixins. Desert was made by the local job core and had delicious whoopie pies. I tried to save one for Mar ion Pinkham, but I must have eaten it. Dinner was followed by a huge door prize giveaway with almost everyone in the room receiving one. The big gest prize of the night was the Banner made for the event. The President of Sled Mass, Jon Tobin, won it too much delight (he was very happy). Saturday was originally going to be our meeting day, but with a quick reschedule, it turned into another riding day! We (27 sleds) headed over to Washburn again, this time for lunch and then up 105 to the Swede’s trail. A nice ride through the Nordic Lakers sys tem and then onto the Caribou systemwhere we took 89 north for more fantastic trails and

views of northern Maine. We made Saturday’s ride short as we had an appointment at the Loring Air Museum for a tour. While looking at the building, it wasn’t very big but it holds a ton of history and we were lucky enough to have Matt Cole as our tour guide. Matt is super knowledgeable about the base and answered any and all questions. Even had some insight into the future of the base. A final meal Saturday night at the Par Grill in Caribou to wind up the weekend was once again incredible. Final sad goodbyes to new friends were had as we headed back to the Bunker Inn. MSA would like to thank everyone who made it all hap pen. It’s a long list and I hope I don’t forget any. First off, The Bunker Inn for hosting our event, Limestone Snow Hawks, for dinner and making sure we had great trails in and out of Limestone each day, Caribou Snowmobile Club for hosting dinner and Caribou Parks and Rec for our meeting and dinner. Area restaurants Deans Motor Lodge, Lakev iew Restaurant and Washburn SC for outstanding meals too. Special thanks to Sandy, Tim, Lori and Judy at the Bunker Inn, Gary Marquis at Cari bou Parks and Rec/Grooming, Limestone Snow Hawks Pres ident Chris King and Caribou Snowmobile Club President Nick Morill. MSA would like to thank the ISC/NE Chapter for allowing us to host this year’s meet ings and ride. We hope you all enjoyed your stay and we hope to host you all again in the future so we can showcase another area of Maine. In closing, we were sad not to have our leader, President Al Swett in attendance. He spent too much money at the Pine Tree Auction andVal took away his check book. No, seriously, Al was very sick following the Auction and couldn’t make it up north to join us. Luckily, Executive Vice President Mark Chinnock led the team for MSA, with Northern RegionVP Matt Stedman, Eastern Region VP Eileen Lafland, Eastern Region Director Larry Lafland, Northern RegionDirectors Nick Morill and Denise Duperre and former Presidents John Monk and Mike Grass completing the MSA team.ThankYou All!

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