Text Box: Club Officers: President: Mark Destito – 336-1727 VP: Dennis Hesse – 337-5373 Secretary: Millie Piersall – 336-5089 Treasurer: Dave Peer – 336-0593 Email: indytraks@twcny.rr.com Website: www.trailbusters.net Next Meeting: Tuesday 8 Jan 08 – 7:30PM Lee Town Hall Stokes-Lee Center Road Lee Center, NY 13363       TRAILBUSTERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB, INC.

PO BOX 193

LEE CENTER, NY 13363             

                                                                                    Jan/Feb 08

 

A Happy New Year to all our members!  May you all have a healthy, prosperous, safe year with a lot of snow for the trails so riding will last at least through March.  Early snow in December was a surprise and the groomers were out on the entire system.  A good base was started and then the warm weather and rain destroyed everything that was started. Right now we are awaiting cold weather so we can resume grooming and do some riding.  The club groomer coordinator sent a report this week to our email members  regarding trail grooming and/or lack of it. For those who do not have email, we are enclosing a copy of that report with this newsletter.  It seems everyone has an expert opinion on the subject and there are those that think that a groomer should be out on the trails every day regardless of warm temperatures, wet snow conditions, lack of snow, and presence of water holes and so on.  This is very much evidenced by comments posted on various snowmobile discussion sites on the internet.

 

 

 

TRAIL SAFETY:  Before  going any further, we want to emphasize to everyone out there on the trails to exercise extreme caution when riding.  Tragically, there have been nine snowmobile fatalities in NY State already this season.  Whatever the causes of these accidents, ride alert, slow down on hills and curves, and stay on the right side of the trail.  Don’t park in the middle of the trail.  These are just a few reminders. 

 

Club Memberships – Regretfully, members whose dues were not current as of December 07 were dropped from our membership roster.  The club gained several new members but lost many that did not renew their dues.  However, the total membership remains about the same as last year at this time.  The club welcomes all the new members and thanks you for choosing the Trailbusters.  We hope all will actively participate in attending monthly meetings and help in guiding and moving the club forward.  We need everyone’s input and participation to accomplish the tasks of this organization.  We have too few volunteers doing too many tasks.  Consequently, goals cannot always be met and accomplished properly.  Volunteers are getting burned out and new faces need to be trained to maintain continuity.  Please start by attending meetings and go from there.  Our next meeting is next Tuesday, 8 Jan 08 at 7:30 PM at the Lee Town Hall.

 

TRAIL PARTY:  We will hold a trail party for members and landowners at our groomer barn on Sunday, 3 February 08 from noon to 3 PM.  Please attend and bring your family.  We will have hot dogs, hamburgers, coffee, soda and snacks.  If you would like to bring a snack or food to share, feel free to do so.  The groomer barn is located right off trail C7 so you can ride your sled to it.  The barn is located at 9183 Sly Hill Road, a quarter mile up the hill off of Stokes-Westernville Road  (Stokes area) if you want to drive. The party will be held regardless of weather.  

 

Safety Course:   John Beggs, our instructor, taught 13 young people snowmobile safety in early December.  Next safety class will be offered in the fall.

 

New Bridge to Lee Center:  A 45’ bridge was put in on trail C4H to Lee Center.  Work was done in very cold, snowy conditions.  Photos of this project can be seen at our website, www.trailbusters.net.

 

Email addresses & Website:  To insure receipt of newsletters and reports, be sure to inform the club of an email address changes.  Also, check our website for updates of grooming and other items of interest.  The website is maintained by Joe McCarthy who is doing a fantastic job of keeping it up to date.

 

Gas Receipts:  Reminder to deposit your sled gas purchases from Stewarts on Route 26N in Stokes and Nice N Easy on State Route 26N/Hawkins Corners with the cashiers at the stores.  The club will apply for a .08 cent return on each gallon purchased for sleds.  We wonder how many receipts we might not get now that both stations have pay at the pump service.

 

Radio Show:  I ROC (I Ride Oneida County) & Beyond is a weekly snowmobile radio show offering news and trail reports.  It is hosted by Lee Hinkleman.  The program is available on the web from 7-8PM Thursday nights at BigFrog104.com and 7-8 AM Saturdays on WIBX 950AM (Utica-Rome).

 

Meeting Groomers on the Trail:  Remember to dim your sled lights when coming upon a groomer on the trail.  Also, grooming equipment has the right of way on a trail and you must get off the trail if need be to allow them to pass through in tight spots.  When a group of sleds passes a groomer, all should pass on one side, not all over the place.

 

Does Anyone Have a Sled they Would Like to Donate:  The Lake Delta Fire Dept is looking for a sled donation, late 90’s or newer, to be used for trail rescue.  Donor could receive up to a $2,500 tax credit.  If interested, contact Joe Patane at Cell # 525-7078.

 

2008 Meeting Schedule:  8 Jan 08, 12 Feb 08; 11 Mar 08; 8 Apr 08 – 7:30 PM – Lee Town Hall             

 

 Think Snow!