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Updated Saturday May 10th, 2013 at 8:00 am

We are officially done with the 2012-2013 Snowmobile Season. All of the signs have been picked up and gates are closed.


Now we turn our attention to next season and all of the repairs and updates that will need to be done. We have a couple of bridge re-decking jobs as well as some upgrades to trails that have suffered from washouts and neglect.

I would put this past season as fair. The challenge this year was maintaining our base trails with the constant warm ups. We also saw storms that delivered good snow all around us- leave us with minor amounts. We were dry slotted on more occasions than I care to remember. March once again came in and gave us some snow. It just seems like the Winter season has shifted by 6 weeks. I remember getting snow at Thanksgiving that would stay until March. Now we are lucky to see any measurable snow before January 1st.


The VAST Annual Meeting is August 10th 2013 at Jay Peak. If you have any interest in attending as a delegate for the meeting we would welcome your participation. Let the Secretary know at www.trailclub.net


Thanks to our fabulous Landowners- your generous support is appreciated beyond words.

Thanks to our Grooming Crew. We had a new crew this year mentored by our seasoned crew and the result were fantastic. The trail conditions were amazing considering our snowfall. Congrats to Ben, Jim, and Dale and many many Thanks to Bob F, Bob D, and Dennis.

Want to help the Trail Club next year? Here are two choices- 1 let us know if your want to work on repair, maintenance or signing. 2- Buy an Early Bird TMA. Either way is a big help to us. It allows us to continue to be the best trail system in Caledonia County. It is what keeps us the Gateway to the Kingdom.

Have Fun this Summer!

See you in the Fall!

Ride Right and Ride Safe.

Mike
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR MAP!


Caledonia County Snowmobile Trail Club Meeting Minutes
January 4, 2012


The January meeting of the Caledonia County Snowmobile Trail Club was called to order at 7:05pm by President Ken Gammell.


Directors present: Bob Farmer, Harold Flanders, Ken Gammell, Ray Heath, Mike OHara, Marvin Olson, Ben Robinson, Bonnie Raboin, Dale Rowell, Rod & Kathy Smith, and Dennis Towle


Directors absent: Jim Carey, Bob Dexter


Secretarys Report


Dennis Towle made a motion that was seconded by Marvin Olson to accept the secretarys minutes as printed. The motion was adopted.


Correspondence


None


Committee Reports


1. Memberships


The membership report was printed on the back of the agenda. The total of TMAs sold is 644. A discussion followed about the possible explanation for the lower sales numbers. Ken Gammell noted that the TMA sales are not down all over the state as would be expected. Mike OHara thought many of the clubs in the Tropical Storm Irene areas had requested help repairing their trails, which prompted people to join the clubs they were helping to recover. Since the Northeast Kingdom did not fare as badly as other areas of the state with Tropical Storm Irene, the attention has been focused on southern and central Vermont. Bonnie Raboin felt the biggest factor was the lack of snow.


It was generally agreed that when the snow comes and riding is available, membership sales will increase. Until there is adequate riding, the members are waiting to see what kind of winter this will be. If the snow cover improves and the riding is available, everyone agreed the sales would jump back up to near normal levels.


Unfinished Business


1. Groomer Insurance Policy
Mike OHara gave the groomer insurance policy to Bonnie Raboin.


2. New Drag


Bob Farmer reported that the new drag is hooked up and the cutter bar is on it. The crew tried the lights but the wattage was wrong so blew out all the bulbs. Bob stated that Josh Nelson is going to request that Maxey send two lights and mounts to replace the ones that were damaged. The tool box is in place. The cover is also on the pan.


The subject of a publicity photo op for the new drag, to show the local area the investment the Trail Club is making to help the economy of the area, was discussed. Mike OHara stated that he had contacted Darcie McCann, of the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, about the new drag. The Chamber was in the process of moving into their new offices but agreed a promotional article was needed when there is snow to use the drag.


Bob Farmer asked about selling the Mogul Master drag. It was suggested to send a notice to the VAST News. The details were discussed and decided to ask for $4500 or best offer. The drag is a 2001 model. It is 9x18 with either a gooseneck or pintel hitch and is a dual action drag.


New Business


1. VAST Military Appreciation Ride Sponsorship


Ken Gammell explained the various levels of sponsorship available for the Military Appreciation Ride. The ride will be held February 25, 2012 in South Woodstock, Vermont. Last year the Trail Club donated at the “Club Sponsor” level of $50, which lists those donating in the VAST newsletter and on the VAST website. Dennis Towle made a motion that was seconded by Mike OHara to once again donate to the VAST Military Appreciation Ride as a “club sponsor” for $50. The motion was adopted.


2. Food for Hope


Dennis Towle suggested participating in the Dunkin Donuts “Food for Hope” event next Christmas. The Trail Clubs name would be given out over the local radio station with a challenge to the other snowmobile clubs to make a donation of an equal or greater amount. The event is the second Saturday of December and is part of St. Johnsburys Victorian Christmas celebration. Bonnie Raboin stated that she and her husband always attend and would make the challenge in the Trail Clubs name for the 2012 season.


Trails


1. Landowner Permission Forms


Bob Farmer asked the club had new landowner permission forms for Bob Audette and Dwayne Passut. Ray Heath stated that Bob Audette had told him the trail would be alright for this year but might be useable for next year too, depending on the sale of the proposed housing development. Ray further stated that he had met the new owners of the trailer park. Ray felt they would be fine to work with regarding the snowmobile trail.


2. Trail Construction Reimbursement


Bob Farmer asked if the club had received the reimbursement from VAST for the relocation and extra work to get the trails open for the season. It was stated that Trails Administrator, Alexis Nelson, had all the information. Mike OHara stated that he had spoken with Alexis Nelson and learned that there is a small amount of emergency funding remaining. Ken Gammell did not think Ray Heaths reimbursement for the East St. Johnsbury trail had come back as yet.


3. New Drag Grant


Ken Gammell did not think the Trail Clubs grant-in-aid check for the new groomer had come. The checks normally go to the club president and Ken did not have the check yet. Bob Farmer stated he had submitted all the paperwork to VAST so now all that can be done is wait.


4. GPS Units for Groomers


Kathy Smith asked about the proposed GPS tracking domes to be installed on all groomers operating on the VAST trails. Mike OHara and Ken Gammell stated that the GPS units are part of a grant VAST is trying to obtain so that it is easier to track when and where the grooming is being completed.


5. Henry Whipple Memorial Trail


The proposed Henry Whipple Memorial Trail is being spearheaded by Henrys son, Phillip. The Whipple family will provide the sign and is working with Don Glover to finalize the project. It was agreed the most visible location would be on either side of Exit 22 off of I-91.


6. Open Riding Weekends


Ken Gammell reported that the last weekend of January 2012 will be open for riders with registrations and insurance in Maine and New Hampshire to ride on VAST trails without a TMA. Canada will also be having an open weekend on February 17 & 18, 2012.



The next meeting of the Caledonia County Snowmobile Trail Club will be held on February 1, 2012 beginning at 7:00pm at Ray Heaths office.


The meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm.


Respectfully submitted,


Kathy E. Smith
Secretary

Caledonia County Snowmobile Trail Club October 2012 Newsletter



In Memory of Marvin Olsen


On June 30, 2012, the Caledonia County Snowmobile Trail Club lost a dedicated vice-president and director, a true gentleman and a good friend, not only to the sport of snowmobiling but to everyone who knew him. Marvin Olsen was a one-of-a-kind person.


He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His family always came first. Marvin was never far from wife, Minnie's side, until Minnie lost her courageous battle with cancer in February 2009. Marvin was 80 years old when he joined Minnie on their snowmobiles in heaven. We are sure they will know the trails in heaven as well as they knew the trails to their camp and around the "Big Woods".

Marvin met Minnie when he was stationed at the radar base on East Mountain. Minnie was an East Haven girl. They soon married and traveled to various places where Marvin was stationed with the Air Force. When he retired, they moved back to Minnie's family home in East Haven with their two daughters, Karen and Lynda.


A memorial service preceded the burial with full military honors in recognition for Marvin's service in the Air Force.


We will all miss seeing Marvin on his Yamaha VK out grooming the trails in East Haven. He was fixture of the Northeast Kingdom for many years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his daughters, Karen & Lynda, as well as their families.


Henry Whipple Memorial Sign

Two years ago the Trail Club lost another of its long-time supporters, Henry Whipple. Henry began snowmobiling when snowmobiling started in 1965. Almost everyone who began riding in the 1960's was a fan of the Ski Doo "yellow birds". Marvin too rode Ski Doos when he raced snowmobiles throughout New England. But Henry was a devoted Ski-Doo man. Marvin soon became a loyal supporter of Yamaha. Henry served for the first few years as one of the vice-presidents of VAST on the Board of Directors. Henry also served as one of the first directors of the Caledonia County Snowmobile Trail Club.


Henry was always willing to help repair the Tucker Sno-Cats even if they broke down far away from home on a cold, cold night. Those were the days before of a heated garage. Even after Henry was no longer able to ride his snowmobile out the power line or to Concord, he was always available to help with advice and support.


Henry's son, Phillip, provided two memorial signs to be located on the trails within the Trail Club's grooming area. Both signs will be placed in or near the St. Johnsbury Center area since Henry was a long-time resident of St. Johnsbury Center.


The following is the inscription on the Henry Whipple Memorial Sign. "This section of trail is dedicated in memory of Vermont snowmobiling pioneer, Henry F. Whipple, of St. Johnsbury Center. Henry was instrumental in organizing the sport on the local, county and state levels. His 30 years of service (1965-1995) and vision of a statewide trail system helped to forever indentify Vermont and his beloved "Northeast Kingdom" as one of the nation's premiere snowmobile destinations."


The directors will have a sign in memory of Marvin Olson as well. It is anticipated that the section of the Route 2 & 5 trail north from the intersection with Route 18, will become the Marvin Olson trail since that trail leads to Marvin's home in East Haven.


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