Just returned from the Maine Snowmobile Association’s annual snowmobile show at the Augusta Civic Center.     Even with the warm weather over the weekend, people are getting ready to start the new snowmobile season.   It was amazing to talk to many people who have never snowmobiled in the western mountains of Maine and picked up brochures and literature with the intent of riding in our area.   We all know that once they come to this area to ride, they will come back year after year. 

The groomer barn is under construction.  We can use volunteer help any time any of you are available on a weekend.  Winter will be closing in on us fast and we would like to be able to house the groomers and it sure would be nice to have a place to work on them when maintenance is needed.  Donations have come in but way short of what we were hoping for.  Estimated cost to build the groomer barn is $30,000.  With 400+ members, it wouldn’t take a large donation from everyone to cover the cost.  Remember, everything we do is in the interest of keeping those trails well maintained for your riding enjoyment!

The next membership meeting is Saturday October 9^th at the Rangeley Region Guides and Sportsman’s Club House in Oquossoc.  We will have dinner at 6:30 PM and the meeting will follow.  We saw and welcomed some new faces at the September meeting and hope to see more of our members attending the meetings this year.   

The fleece vests and the pins are in.  These two items are fundraisers for the building fund.  They are very nice and would make excellent Christmas gifts.  The  vests are black with the RLSC logo on them and the pins are a picture of our club logo with a red flashing light on the moose’s eye and a yellow flashing light on the headlight of the snowmobile.  Very cute – a great stocking stuffer for anyone!  The cost for the pin is $5.  If you wish to order one you can request it by mail, just 60 cents postage.  The vests sell for $25 plus $3.50 for postage if your order by mail.  We had originally reported that the vests would sell for $20 but after receiving the invoice with added cost for set up of embroidery and extra cost for the large sizes, we have to sell them for $25 to make any profit on them.  You can see both of these items on the web site or if you plan to attend one of our meetings, we will have them there for sale.

Don’t forget to send your membership in.  You will stop receiving the MSA newspaper, this newsletter, and your insurance through MSA will expire if your membership isn’t renewed.  Also, membership dues are our main source of fundraising that is spent directly on maintaining the trails.  Your support is very important to the club. 

Remember the date for SNODEO 2005 – that is January 20, 21, 22.  We will enclose a final agenda of events in a future newsletter.  It would be wise to make reservations now if you plan to attend – I heard that the motels are booking fast.

We will be at the New England Snowmobile Expo at the Big E Fairgrounds in Springfield, Mass during weekend of October 16^th.   Stop by and see us.  You can join the club there, and we will have our merchandise for sale at the show (hats, long sleeve t-shirts, fleece vests, pins, badges, etc.)  Hope to see you there!!!

It looks like we will be able to report on first snowfall in the November newsletter.  Snow flurries are predicted here tomorrow. 

Until next month..........

Gail Gavigan, Secretary

 Please visit our Sponsors page to check out businesses who have donated or pledged to donate to our grooming and trail maintenance program for this season. Be sure to patronize these businesses when in the area. It is due to their donations that we have the great riding conditions we all enjoy!