8651-R2_MSA_March2024_Newsletter_Web

From The Executive Board

and will lead to an off-trail incident very fast. Don’t play with the buttons! We all know what PPE is by now. Back in the Mill, we were well aware of it many years ago. Wear it while you’re out there trimming trail and doing work around the groomer barn, safety glasses, ear plugs, good shoes and gloves. If you’re lifting something up trig it so it does not roll, always use blocking to hold up what you’re working on don’t trust the jack. Be careful when sawing branches or trees make sure you’re in contact with the operator of the saw to see what his next move is. This safety column can go on and on use PPE at home when mowing and weed whack ing running a skill saw anything that makes loud noises and creates sawdust and flying particles. Please be safe out there no matter what you’re doing. Save all your fingers, pro tect your eyes and be aware of your partner on what he or she is up to. Please be safe on your sled, it’s a great sport made by the best clubs in the USA. Maine has it all, the best snowmobile clubs and volun teers, supporting business’s, landowners and everyone else who make it happen! Please be safe out there, Wishing you all happiness in life! AL The weather reports are not good for the next 2 weeks, and it has already been a very difficult winter for snowmobilers and clubs. I would dare say we haven’t had plowable snow in 4 weeks here in Ashland. The next event is the March Directors meeting in Easton, host by the Easton Trailbreakers Snowmobile Club on March 16 th . Call the office to RSVP. Most all clubs have a fixed set of cost for the season, regardless of the grooming they do so please think about that in a winter like this. They need your support, membership and/or donation almost as much because the insurance, equipment, bridges, signs, etc all still need to be taken care of. As clubs wrap up trail activities for the season please think of the safety of those last/ end of season riders. Be clear with those using the trails of your clubs’ status. This is typically the month where clubs are seeking nominations for officer positions. If you have been a member and would like to be more involved, or have time and skills your club could use, reach out, step up and take on a new challenge for the coming season. It is rewarding (and sometimes challenging) to be a part of an organization that promotes and makes possible something you are passionate about. I look forward to seeing you all at the annual meeting in April. 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 at the top left. Really nothing to report positively in the western region about riding. However, Jim Boyce of Kingfield has decided to step down as director, God bless him for all he has done and still does for our sport. Paul Kennedy of Philips has agreed to step up to the plate as director, covering the same clubs that Jim was covering, and I thank him. We are still in need of three or four more directors for the western region. Particularly Farmington, and Lewiston areas, please give me a call if you want to help support our sport. UNITED WE TRAIL, DIVIDED WE FAIL. Other than that we had an enjoyable trip to Medway for the February meeting (loved the super), even got to play cards for a couple hours with two other couples back at the motel, (glad we were not playing for money). SO RATHER THAN BABBLE ANY MORE, I SAY KEEP THE FAITH, NEXT YEAR WILL BE BETTER. God bless Jerry

you to ALL Volunteers for what you have done this season! March also means this will be the last full MSA paper until September. I want to thank the Eastern regional directors for their help this year. Gary Dowling covers the Washing ton county area, Craig Lemieux is in the Guil ford/Dover area and everything around it, Paul Bolstridge is in the Lincoln area, Barry Ryan does Glenburn and greater Bangor area and Larry Lafland covers from Brewer to Buck sport to Holden to Greenbush to Ellsworth and everything in between. The Eastern Region is lucky to have these five as contacts. Thank you to all of you! Eastern Region Clubs- You are the best!! You work hard to get as many memberships as you can while also getting trails ready for the season. The Eastern region covers all of Washington, Hancock, Penobscot, and Pis cataquis County reaching from Shin Pond to Vanceboro to Machias to Bucksport to New port to Rockwood and everything in between! There are areas that get a lot of snow and areas that hardly get any, but the clubs all keep going and make the best of it. I am extremely proud of all you do!! The final event of this season will be the annual meeting on April 27th at Jeff’s Cater ing in Brewer. We will once again hold a silent auction and are looking for donations. If you have something to donate, PLEASE let the office know BEFORE that day if you can, so we can have bid sheets made up and ready to go. The silent auction is always a good time, and friendly competition between bidders, so come see what we have to offer. The annual meeting is also when we recognize the hard work done by clubs, businesses, groomers, and volunteers that make our sport what it is. Make your reservations on line. Hope to see many of you there! That’s it for now. Enjoy what riding there may still be and stay safe! Eileen Many accidents have been alcohol related along with most fatalities. Please remember don’t mix alcohol and snowmobiling. Drive within your means if your last in the group and you’re not comfortable tell the group you’re riding with don’t feel bad it. They can put you in the middle or maybe another rider will stay with you at your speed. Ride safe stay on the marked trail. In Maine, it’s a big fine for going off trail ruining crops or new tree growth. We made this law to protect the landowner. Remember over 95% of the trails are on private property. When riding at night slow down this is when the wildlife are most active. Be careful of animals they like to be on the hard pack trial. Corners come up quick at night so don’t over drive your headlights. Ice conditions vary from lake to lake check to see if the locals have stakes on the ice, this is usually a sign its ok to cross. But my recom mendation is to stay off the lakes or rivers and find a land trail route. Well winter is winding down; the only riding I got in was Trail Inspections. Some trails were great, some were beaters and the other 300 miles I rode were good. Reason being I went where the snow was good. I like the idea of grooming Sunday night so the club’s workers get good riding for the first of the week. I’m writing this on February, the 21 st and the weather is looking like mid-April. Ride Smart Today, Ride Again Tomorrow and that is all I will say about safety. While you are riding, Please pick up any trash you find and leave the landowners property clean or cleaner then you found it. THANK YOU. Keep smiling; pray next year’s snow is better than this year. Jack Lord, If you need me just call, I will help if I can. Schools and other events along the way. It’s been a treat telling children at schools the fundamentals of snowmobiling in Maine. And they loved getting stickers and posters! That was worth traveling many miles a very rewarding day. H i Everyone,

IF&W holds many snowmobile safety courses throughout the State. Check their website for the dates and times. You get a cer tificate after completing one. The Safety Posters were a big hit this year printed up by Albersons in Augusta we had some laminated and some made out of a new material that should last quite a while out in the field. Their 11X17 in size. I’d like to thank my friend Mike Hammond CEO of Hammond Lumber for donating money to pay for all the posters this year. It was very much appreciated. We’ve lost two fellow snowmobilers this year. Many accidents always happen in the first month of riding. Folks need to remember they have not been on a sled since their last ride probably in late February. So, next year take it easy and start off slow. On my first ride out this season, I came upon an accident involving a rider who missed a corner and hit a tree. He was in serious con dition with a broken hip hand and concussion. Please slow down! These new snowmobiles are so smooth and quiet and get to a fast speed in a hurry. New gadgets always point to trouble playing with the buttons while riding is very distracting

Safety Committee

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

H i Folks,

Past President David Stevens appointed me as Safety Officer for the MSA a few years back. Traveling throughout the State spread ing safety was a great thing to do. Displays went up at the MSA meeting along with

Eastern Region VP

Northern Region VP

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

Eileen Lafland, 207-843-7813 PO Box 733, Holden ME 04429 L.andE.lafland525476@gmail.com W most of the state there wasn’t a full month of riding at all and many were done before they even started! What a rough season it is been for everyone. Even in the parts of the state that did have snow, people were staying home because they didn’t think riding was good. After all the hard work clubs did to get the trails ready, Mother Nature had other plans. As the saying goes, “Wait until next year!” Even though snow has not been plentiful in the Eastern Region, the clubs have done an amazing job working with what they had. Grooming was done when it could be and trails were cleared and waited for snow that didn’t come. With people not registering their sleds because of the season, it will surely affect money in the grants this year. Clubs may not have done their usual grooming hours BUT they spent many, many hours re-opening trails after the storms in December and Janu ary. Volunteers do an amazing job at this, but materials and machines cost money. EVERY club in the state has been affected in some way by the weather. Thank you, thank you, thank ell, here it is the last month of riding in the state for 2023-24. Of course, for

H ello fellow snowmobilers, School vacation has now come & gone. What an odd year. This week is always a busy & exciting time for so many people spending time in the outdoors with family & friends. It was great to see the people who came out to support the local economy and were rewarded with some really good riding. There is some bad stuff out there, but also some really awesome trails. I continue to be amazed with both the dedication of people to take time out of their lives to do so much for Snowmobiling in Maine and the generosity of private landowners who allow us there. Thank you for all that you do, it is greatly appreciated and valued by so many who love the sport and need the tourism for their business to survive.

Western Region VP

Central Region VP

Jerry Major, Cell: 207-838-0892 137 Morrill Rd, Norway ME 04268

mrfun101jem@gmail.com A s I sit here writing this we are in the midst of a blizzard, (NOT), 1 to 3 inches maybe. Such a weird winter, I feel for all the businesses that rely on snowmobilers.

Jack Lord Home: (207) 672-3915 / Cell: 207-717-7131 17 Dinsmore St. Bingham, ME. 04920 Email: jacklord5256@gmail.com

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