Wales Tales - January 2007

 

First, let me express my thoughts about the winter so far - # % (*) ^ #%. Now that I’ve got that out of my system, what else has been going on ?

 

Membership Meeting: On Thursday night, December 21st the membership meeting was held at the Greene Township Building. Attendance was light – 17 interested and supportive snowmobilers attended. It’s a pretty busy time of year for most members. Nominations for new club officers were opened for the pending elections this coming February. Members leaving the Board will be; Steve Hair, Anita Dipko and Dan Postlewaite. Jerry Johnson has also completed his two years as Auditor. You should offer up your heartiest Thank You to these fine people for their past service and support of the club. In their void we need to come up with some key members that are "willing and capable" to fill these positions. You thoughts and suggestions can be directed to our Nomination Committee - Fred Morris (899-6307) or John Matasowski ( 825-2067). After the abbreviated meeting everyone moved on to drinking hot cider, munching down Christmas delicacies and chit chatting about our favorite winter recreation.

 

Charity: The third and final collection for the area food pantry was taken. It was the season of giving! While our membership number is small, their hearts are huge! An additional $215 was collected – which brings the member’s donation to $350. The club voted to kick in an additional $100 for a grand total of $450. Take that number and double it with matching funds, makes the clubs total gift to the Food Pantry - $900. Wow ! ! That is just great! It’s the best the club has ever done. The club, along with the Food Pantry, would like to thank you for your generosity. The Food Pantry will buy $17 of food with each dollar donated. So, the total charitable giving will provide $15,300 of food for needy area residents.

 

Memberships: This year’s membership drive is now over. The 2007 membership stands at 103 which is down from last year’s 131. While we have lost quite a few old members there are 7 new first time members. To our current membership Thank You very much for your support. Snow or no snow the club continues to incur expenses of operation; insurance, postage and trail material and maintenance. Without sufficient membership the club can not continue to provide a viable trail system. I’m sure the poor winters are not helping our numbers. But, the truth is that there are a lot of snowmobilers out there! You see their tracks every time it snows. They ride the trails that the club works so hard to maintain. So, as you ride and talk to these snowmobilers, don’t be hesitant to ask them if they are a snowmobile club member. And if not - give them an application. Suggest they support the organization that helps provide the means to enjoy their sport.

 

What does Wales Sno-Drifters Snowmobile Club do?

  • Supports the Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association (PSSA)

  • Supports the Erie Crawford Snowmobile Association (ECSA)

  • Maintains a working relation with Greene Township

Assists with Township cleanup days

Provides Wales & Knoyle Road cleanup

  • Club Activities:

Summer Picnic

Winter ride schedule

January Poker Run

Regular newsletters

  • Trail System: (over 50 miles)

Works with more than 100 private property owners

Provides trail signing and markers

Maintains and operates 3 groomers

GPS mapping

Improvements (just this past year)

Reduce wet areas off Dutch and Tate Roads

Eliminate gas line bridge

New steel supported bridge in Krish Valley

New access off Deyer Road

New access to east end of gas line from Dutch Road

A final note on memberships – 77 of our current membership have shared their E-mail addresses with us. They receive all their newsletters and club information via the internet which saves the club roughly $30 on each mailing – or over $200 a year. That’s big savings that can be applied to trails. If you receive this newsletter by regular mail and have internet excess, would you like to add to the club’s savings by sharing your E-mail address? Call me (899-8171) or E-mail me at lkkglk@velocity.net and we will gladly add you to our club’s E-mail address book.

 

Trails: If and when it snows (really I’m not trying to be negative) the Game Lands still are NOT open until January 15th. Remember that Sunshine Lane in Lowville has been posted by the Venango Township as NO ATV’s or snowmobiles. Barriers and signs have been put in place! The alternate route all the way down Hill Road to Wattsburg is not yet viable. There are barriers across the back of the old middle school building limiting access to Creek Road. For the time being we have no legal route through or around Lowville. We are trying to work with area snowmobilers to develop a plan that can be presented to and find favor with the Venango Supervisors. Hopefully we will have good news shortly.

 

Grooming: Tom Dipko has gone over and has the two utility sleds and drags ready. They are positioned in our equipment trailer out my Little Hope. Dan Postlewaite has the Yanmar back in operation including new double acting hydraulics on the front plow (upgrade components supplied by Jerre Heyer of Jerre’s Service on Station Road). Fuel and other operating expenses are again this year being underwritten by support from Offroad Express. These are two key local businesses that go the extra distance in helping us and our trails! When you see them, tell them how much you appreciate their support.

 

Ride Schedule: No big mystery, the first few scheduled rides were cancelled. The remaining rides are:

Date Time Meeting At Event Contact Phone

Sat 1/20 10:00am GTMB Wales Poker Run Steve Hair 725-2132

Sat 1/27 10:00am GTMB Poker Run – no snow Steve Hair 725-2132

Sat 2/3 10:00am GTMB Go West Marc Matczak 796-6666

Sun 2/11 9:00am PICH ECSA Dice Run

Sat 2/17 10:00am GTMB Corry Area Fred Morris 899-6307

Sat 2/24 TBD Sherman * Cassadagua, NY * Steve Hair 725-2132

Sat 3/3 10:00am GTMB To Be Determined Ken Zambrzycki 825-9257

 

*Requires NY Registration*

 

Poker Run: Details per the attached flyer. Pray for snow!

 

Next meeting: The next membership is Thursday, January 25th at 8:00pm at the Greene Township Building. At this time, I’m not sure where we will be bragging about rides we have had or one big pity party. Either way, come out and find out.