8722_MSA_Here&Back_SpecialEdition

Rockabema Snow Rangers

Founded: 1971

Rockabema Snow Rangers

Members: 100

Connor whips out his smart phone and in short order brings up a tally. As I leave the parking lot it occurs to me that it will be young men like Con nor and others like him who will be the true future of snowmobiling in Maine. Perhaps there is hope as long as we have “kids” like Connor who are will ing to give up a Saturday to help out the local club. According to President Michael Bot ting, Big Valley was the first club to purchase a groomer with a grant. Bot ting says they were also one of the first, if not the first, club to sponsor a large event – the Log Driver’s Cook out which featured bean hole beans, home-made biscuits and doughnuts all cooked outside. Island Falls also can brag about a presidential visit . . . or at least a visit from a future President of the United States. In 1878 20-year-old Teddy Roo sevelt visited the area and struck up a friendship with guide Bill Sewall who set them up at a camp where the First Brook and West Branch of the Mat tawamkeag come together. Sewell noted virtually every day young Teddy would take his bible and go to a secluded location to read it – a place today known as Bible Point. Teddy returned two more times the following years. In 1921 a plaque was erected at the spot and in 1971 the land was pre served as a state historic site. Today, sledders can ride right to Bible Point. Big Valley Sno Club at Island Falls has some bragging rights.

The atmosphere at the Rockabema Snow Rangers Club House is decid edly low-key compared to the hustle and bustle at Shin Pond. Inside the club house I find Secretary Krissy Rut tenberg, her 13-year-old son and whiz kid Connor and Laura “Mom” Kennedy who is a pastTreasurer andTrail Master. I pick another card . . . aTwo of Hearts . . . this is not going well at all for me. Krissy offers to heat up a breakfast sandwich for me. I am briefly tempted by some baked goods lined up next to some Rockabema apparel, but I must admit I am still quite full from lunch. Instead I talk with the trio about the Rockabema Club which is by their own admission an older club formed in 1971. Krissy openly worries about the club’s future and wonders if there will be a trail system for Connor when he grows older and has children of his own. “I do this to help out the community,” says Krissy. “I often think if someone does not step up to do this, who will?” For her part Laura says she has stuck with the club because without any vol unteers there would be no trail system. Connor pipes up . . . “And I do this because Mom drags me everywhere with her.” What Connor doesn’t say, but is readily apparent is that he really doesn’t mind helping, although given the choice of driving the snowmobile he shares with his mom or hanging out in the club house all day I am rea sonably sure he would prefer to hit the trails. I casually wonder out loud how many folks have come out on the Poker Run.

Miles of Trail: 70

Groomers: Two Piston Bullys andTwo New Holland Tracked Tractors Best Tip: Head West on 112 towards the National Monument for some “spectacular views of Mt. Katahdin” Why volunteer? “I’m starting to ask that question myself. Why do we volunteer? It’s because if we don’t volunteer . . . plain and simple there won’t be any trails.”

Big Valley Sno Club

Founded: 1971

Members: 60

Miles of Trail: 200

Groomers: None owned by the Club

Best Tip: 62A for a great view ofThe Mountain

Why volunteer? “I volunteer because if it wasn’t for sledding this area would be hurting.”

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Islansd Falls