TRAILBUSTERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB, INC.

PO BOX 193, LEE CENTER NY 13363 Newsletter

President: Mark Destito – 336-1727 Winter 2010

Vice President – Vacant

Secretary – Millie Piersall – 336-5089 – indytraks@twcny.rr.com

Treasurer – Dave Peer – 336-0593

Dear Members of the Trailbusters Snowmobile Club:

First, we wish you all a very Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year with lots of snow.

Secondly, we thank you for renewing your club memberships and we welcome many new members this year also. Thank you for choosing the Trailbusters. There are still several who are not paid up. Have noticed, however, many late renewals are coming in now that we have snow.

Last week we sent our recently purchased newer groomer on its maiden voyage to groom the north trail. Now that more snow has fallen we have been able to start grooming the entire trail system. However, snow is still skimpy in the woods so until we get more white stuff, expect these to be bumpy. Check out the website, www.trailbusters.net, as reports are posted mornings every time the groomer goes out. As long as there is sufficient snow and proper temperatures, the groomers will be out there on an established schedule. Note: Our older groomer had a breakdown on the south trail this week, looking at a part costing over $1,200.00. Nothing comes cheap with these machines! Part arrived by air and groomer was put back together this afternoon (1/7/10) and took off to finish the job. All repair work done outside in freezing weather! Hats off to our volunteers who give of their time and talents, with no compensation, but for the love of the sport.

Speaking of groomers and costs; we were fortunate to have received generous donations to our recent groomer fundraiser from local businesses and many members. If you missed the opportunity to contribute to this fundraiser, it is not too late. Although we were able to purchase the updated groomer without borrowing money due to these donations and our savings account, the club would welcome any donations to build up a fund in anticipation of an eventual upgrade to our oldest machine.

Again, already, the club is experiencing the same problems we have year after year and that is riding off trail, especially in the Evergreen Cemetery (Stokes area), the Delta Methodist Church lawn (State Route 26), and the hay field behind the Glendale Manor housing (Elmer Hill Road area), all on Trail C7. People are riding right through the cemetery from all directions, between headstones, and just showing total disrespect. Not sure if some of this traffic is from sledders coming out of the housing developments across the street while accessing the trail system but this is totally uncalled for. The trail can be accessed without riding between the stones. Our members work hard putting up stakes and ribbon for a purpose, to stay on the trail. These areas are well marked because landowners requested it, not because we do it for something to do. When the stakes are run over and ribbon broken, someone has to go out there and put it back together. Behind Glendale Manor there is racing in the field at all hours of the day and night. So much of our trail system is in congested areas of housing, businesses, etc., so staying on the trail, going slow and being quiet are musts if we are to retain a trail through these areas. Sleds with loud pipes are a big concern in the housing areas. Hopefully, law enforcement will be clamping down on this problem. Don’t we wish we had the luxury of a trail system on truck trails and abandoned roads, out in the middle of no where, where these problems don’t exist? Such is not the case, so if you know these offenders report them to the police and/or the club officers.

Our club vice president is currently serving a six month tour in the war zone. He would like to relinquish his duties. If anyone out there is interested in filling this position, contact our president Mark Destito at number shown above.

We were able to eliminate a good portion of road shoulder riding on C7 (Beartown Road S) as a landowner there gave us permission to route the trail onto his property (back to where it was few years ago). We are grateful to him for this privilege. Further north on C4A, the club eliminated a sharp curve on a hill – nice improvement.

Oneida County trail maps should be available any day and will be available for purchase at Schoff Polaris, Mike’s Cycle and Sport, Red Moon Saloon, and the Milk Plant Tavern in West Leyden, all on State Route 26N and C7.

GAS RECEIPTS! Don’t forget to save the gas receipts from your sled gas purchases. The club gets back .08 cents per gallon. You can keep track of these receipts at home if you find that easier and you can purchase your gas anywhere. Keep your receipt, sign and complete the sheet and send it to the club at the end of your riding season. You have to sign for each purchase, no ditto marks! Attached for your convenience is a signature sheet for you to print out. This form can also be printed out from the club website. Additionally, at the Stewart’s and Nice N Easy on State Route 26 in North Rome there will be a box and form to sign for purchases made there. Sometimes they aren’t in plain sight, so if you don’t see them, please ask. Be sure to complete the form so we can match the gas receipt to your signature. Sign the sheet, not the gas receipt.

Trail Party @ Groomer Barn: Our annual event is open to all members and landowners. You can ride in by sled or car. Be sure to stop in for some good food, soda and conversation. Meet your fellow club members. If you like, you can bring a snack to share but not necessary. Mark always cooks up some good stuff. This will be held on Sunday, 7 February 2010 from Noon to 3 PM. The barn is located at 9183 Sly Hill Road, ¼ mile off of the Stokes-Westernville Road. It is on Trail C7, also about ¼ mile up after crossing the Stokes-Westernville Road. If you need more directions, call one of the officers.

The club again plans to hold the blessing of sleds event. Last year was the first and ones who attended thought this was a good idea. This will be held on the south portion of our trail at Grace Baptist Church, 8539 Turin Road, very accessible off of Trail C7 south of the Colonial Inn. A date has not yet been determined. Most likely it will be in February. When set, you will be notified as well as posted on the website. We would like a good turn out as the sponsoring church is very enthusiastic about this and receptive to all. Last year we had a lot of newspaper/TV coverage. Doesn’t matter what your religion, if any, and is open to all sledders, so bring your friends. We get a general blessing for safety and who doesn’t need that out there!

Some members who renewed their club membership online may not have received a membership card and decal from us. Since NYSSA has been mailing membership cards to current members which show the club you joined, maybe sending out club membership cards is redundant. However, if you still want a Trailbusters card or a decal and didn’t get one, send an email to indytraks@twcny.rr.com and it will be mailed to you.

A reminder: when coming upon the groomer on the trail, do not pass until the operator gives you the ok to do so. Don’t follow too closely, stay back at least 100 feet and dim your lights so as not to blind the operator. Normally, the grooming is done after dark, but the groomer can be out there at any time. Just be cautious of this when you approach blind hills and curves. Something big can be coming towards you blocking the trail!!! Since the groomer can’t move off the trail that means the sled has to. This is a NYS law. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Monthly club meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at the Lee Town Hall, Stokes-Lee Center Road, Lee Center at 7:30 PM. Please attend: 12 Jan 10 - 9 Feb 10 - 9 Mar 10 - 13 Apr 10.

Have a safe riding season. Ride right – stay on the trail and enjoy!

MILLIE PIERSALL
Secretary

1 Atch

Gas Purchases Signature Sheet

TRAILBUSTERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB, INC.

P.O BOX 193, LEE CENTER NY 13363

Member of New York State Snowmobile Association

I/we the undersigned, do hereby clearly and unconditionally assign to Trailbusters Snowmobile Club Inc. all of our right and entitlement to the motor/diesel motor fuel tax refund being applied for on the attached refund application Form FT-946/1046, Motor/Diesel Motor Fuel Tax Refund Application. The purpose of this assignment is to make a gift of the overpayment of tax to the Trailbusters Snowmobile Club Inc.

The basis of the refund claim is that all of the fuel purchased by the undersigned which is the subject of the attached refund claim was used by the undersigned on snowmobile trails in New York State. (A receipt must be included with each signature).