Wales Tales - January 2012

 

Where’s our snow? Right now we are about 30 inches below our average for this time of the year. I can’t wait to see some better conditions soon. Hopefully everyone is ready so when the snow and conditions come, you can get out and get some riding in. It sure would be nice if we can get some snow on the trails and get it groomed for our upcoming Poker Run.

The date of our Poker Run this year is January 28, 2012. No snow date is 2/4/12. Please see details below.

 

December Membership Meeting: On Thursday night, December 15th the membership meeting was held at the Greene Township Building. 5 Board members and 17 members were present and everyone enjoyed Christmas snacks and beverages after the meeting. Our next membership meeting will be January 26, 2012 at 8:00 PM.

 

Charity Drive: The second collection for the area food pantry was taken at the December meeting. Combining the funds mailed in with the donations given at the meeting, we added an additional $50.00 to the total for the Greene Township Food Pantry. We will be taking donations again at the January meeting. Our total now stands at $98.00.

If you don’t think you will be able to attend the January meeting, but would like to donate, you can mail your donation to; Wales Sno-Drifters, Inc., PO Box 11283, Erie, PA. 16514.

 

After all collections, the club will add its contribution to the membership gifts and the total will be submitted for matching gifts and then presented to the food pantry. Your donation will enable the pantry to buy $34 of food for each $1 donated.

 

Memberships: This year’s membership drive is now over. The 2010-11 membership stands at 83 members, which is down from last year’s 96 at this time. The light showing of snow so far this season may have something to do with these numbers. While we have lost a few previous members, we have added 9 new members this year - WELCOME. Perhaps some previous members are waiting for our Poker Run to renew. To our current membership, Thank You very much for your support.

70 of our current members (84%) have granted us use of their E-mail addresses for club correspondence. This saves the club over $30 every mailing; monies that can be used on trail improvements! Thanks! If you receive your club info by regular mail and have an E-mail address, please consider sharing it with us to reduce our postage bill. E-mail your address to TBowers3@roadrunner.com and I will add you to our list.

With or without snow, the club continues to incur operational expenses, such as insurance, postage, trail material and maintenance. Without a sufficient membership base, the club cannot continue to provide a viable trail system. There are many snowmobilers out there! You see their tracks every time it snows. They ride the trails that the clubs work so hard to maintain. So, as you ride and talk to these snowmobilers – please ask them if they are a snowmobile club member. If they are not, give them an application or tell them of our website, where they can get an application. Encourage them to support an organization that helps provide a means for them to enjoy their sport.

 

Snowmobile Safety Class: Member Jim Johnson held a Snowmobile Safety Class for those riders aged 10-15 on Saturday, December 17th at the Township building on Tate road. Jim put on a great program and the 8 students learned a lot and everyone had a great time. Thanks Jim for helping our fellow riders be safer out there!

 

Trails: It has been a tough season with such a light amount of snow. Hopefully we will get the conditions that will allow for grooming efforts. Thanks go out to all those that have been eagerly waiting for the right conditions and are prepared to groom for everyone’s sake and enjoyment.

The Game Lands opened for snowmobiling this season on January 15, 2012.

Please stay on the trail that the Game Commission approves for us to follow through the Game Lands. We would not want to lose this major connector to Phillipsville and the #4 trail to New York. Remember, the snowmobile trails are now open in the Game Lands until April 1st but only on marked trails for registered and insured snowmobiles. Riding away from the designated trail and near winter habitats can cause undue stress or injury to wintering wildlife in the area – Please stay on the marked trails!

Just to give everyone an idea of the time commitment it takes to ready the trails, we had 28 members and helpers log more than 168 hours putting up the trail signage for this season on November 19 and 20. Therefore, you can imagine how grateful we are when helpers show up to help with the trail work. If you happen to notice any of our trails that need work while you are out riding, please contact a Board member so we can address the issue.

 

Upcoming Events:

 

Opportunity: Nominations are now open for three open board of director positions. If you or someone you know would be interested in being on the board, please contact nomination committee members Fred Morris (899-6307) or John Matasowski (825-2067) for details.

 

Poker Run: If the snow cooperates, we are only days away from our Poker Run, which is scheduled for Saturday, January 28, 2012. (The no Snow Date is 2/4/12). This is a major fundraiser for our club, so please support it in every way that you can. Please invite your friends to join us too.

Registration is at the Greene Township Municipal Building on Tate road in our clubhouse room.

Registration is from 10 am to Noon and the winning hands will be drawn promptly at 4:30 p.m.

 

Please plan to attend our Poker Run - it is a great time. It is also a perfect time to introduce a friend to snowmobiling. We hope to see everyone Saturday 1/28/2012 for the 2012 Wales Sno-Drifters Poker Run.

 

Sunshine Person: Mary Ann Matasowski has volunteered to be our sunshine person. If you know of any of

our members that have fallen ill, please contact Mary Ann at (814) 825-2067.

 

Next Meeting (January): The next general membership meeting will be held Thursday, January 26th, at 8:00pm at the Greene Township Building on Tate road. Come join in with the snowmobiling discussions.

See you at the meeting. - T. Bowers