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Wales Tales - March 2007 |
How do you rank the ground hog’s prediction for more winter? It was not the best riding year, but sure was a lot better than last year!
Membership Meeting:
On Thursday night, February 22nd, the membership meeting was held at the Greene Township Building. Seventeen were in attendance which was sufficient for a quorum to conduct the business of the election. New club Board members are; for new three year Board positions – Steve Hair, Chris Curtis, and Rob Tobin. A two year Board vacancy was filled by Mark Omniewski. The new club auditor is Gary Darr. From the newly formed Board, the membership in attendance nominated and elected Steve Hair as your president for the coming year.At the Board Meeting conducted March 1st, the remaining board positions were determined and are;
Vice President - Chris Curtis
Chairman of the Board - Rob Tobin
Treasurer - George Engesser
Secretary - Ken Zambrzyki
Corresponding Secretary - Kent Kessler
Trail Equipment - Tom Dipko
Trail Coordinator - Marc Matczak
Trail Assistant - Mark Omniewski
This small group has volunteered to serve you and the club for the coming year. They cannot be expected to do everything. They need the full support of the total membership. So, when there is an activity or event, consider being part of what makes Wales Sno-Drifters a great organization. Participate! More input, more hands will make for light work and more fun.
Memberships:
The 2007 membership remains at 123.Awards:
Annually our club submits to ECSA a few key individuals for awards who have distinguished themselves in the support of our sport. This year they are:Snowmobilers’ Friend (Business) - Dave Sacco and North East Tire & Auto
Snowmobiler of the Year - Steve Hair
Family of the Year - The Engesser’s
Snowmobile Club of the Year - Wales Sno-Drifters (who else)
Dealer Appreciation - OffRoad Express (no surprise here)
Hall of Fame - Dan Postlewaite
Trails:
Lowville status – the trail alternative to use Brown Ave has been accepted by the supervisors and is currently in the hands of their Solicitor for final review. We might not have it for this year but it should be ready for use next year. In dealing with the Venango Supervisors, they pass on a request to all snowmobilers; when crossing township roads and running in and off the edge of the road for snow, please minimize the dragging, pulling or shooting of snow out onto the roadway. They have had several complaints from area residents.Notice – Warning! The state Game Commission has become very upset regarding illegal snowmobile riding along with some vandalism on the Game Lands of Segal Marsh. Snowmobile riding other than on the marked trail is considered trespassing. We are reminded to stay on the designated trail. The Game Commission Officers are patrolling the area and will arrest violators. Continued misuse of the game lands will result in the loss of any and all trail rights on the state game lands. Please take heed and pass the word along to all other snowmobilers.
A blown track, broken ski, bent "A" arms, thin skags; are all part of the wonderful experience of snowmobiling. Riding the groomed and marked trails is still the safest way to enjoy the sport. Not so for the New York snowmobiler that ventured off the trail into the wind swept field only to find him buried in white fluff with only his ski tips and windshield still visible. And then there is the individual running off Knoyle Road that swamped his sled in the back water of a beaver dam (picture attached). The moral is ride and stay on the marked trails and ride responsibly – or you may "crash & burn" (picture attached).
Grooming:
Grooming this year has been a real challenge for all the area clubs. Equipment problems abound. All the clubs have experienced some type of equipment failure this year. While our Yanmar has proven to be top notch in the summer for performing trail work, it has proven to be the opposite in the winter for grooming. We hoped that it would be a dual use vehicle. But not so! Our hills have proven to be too much for the Yanmar’s weight and lack of traction. Our fall back equipment, the two Yamaha sleds & drags continue to provide our grooming effort. They do a decent job – it sometimes requires multiple passes to smooth out the moguls but they can do the job. With their work load, it was bound to happen. Our one Yamaha has had a major chain case failure requiring numerous bearings and parts. Thanks to Off-Road Express for getting the parts so quickly and at such a reasonable price. I don’t know how we could afford to groom without all of Off-Roads support. Thanks also to Tom Dipko for repairing the broken sled and continuing to maintain the sleds and drags throughout this grooming season.Ride Review:
Poker Run – 128 ridersRide West to Ohio – lead by Marc Matczak w/7
Corry Ride – lead by Fred Morris w/14
Coming Club Events:
ECSA Spring Banquet – Saturday March 24th
5:30 gathering - 6:30 food – Cost $12
Reservations to Wendy Farrell at 824-9911 by March 17th
Trail closing and sign removal – Saturday March 31st and Sunday April 1st
April - Earth Day and road trash pickup
May - Greene Township Spring Cleanup
Summer picnic - TBD
Next meeting: The next membership meeting is Thursday, March 22nd at 8:00pm at the Greene Township Building. Meet your new club officers and recap the season.