PENOBSCOT SNOWMOBILE CLUB

PENOBSCOT SNOWMOBILE CLUB

HERMON

November 11, 2003

Hello P.S.C. & M.S.A. Members!

Have you other clubs been busy? The PSC has been hoppin’ faster than the Maine Turnpike tollbooth on the 4^th of July weekend on the afternoon of a state worker’s furlough day! We are crankin’!! Where should we start? Trails you say?

Trail 9 has now been given the Tom Frost seal of smoothness. A big scoop (notably a Kobelco SR135) of thanks goes out to Clifford Overlock of Alan Dorr Construction for removing stumps and moguls (even before they festered) from Trail 9 between Route 2 and Swan Road. A few reports even say we should change it from Trail 9 to I-90 (It’s THAT wide!!). What wasn’t cleared by Clifford was removed by club members and a backhoe provided by Walter Munn of Evergreen Estates. While all this action was taking place on the southwest side of town, the northeast side of town wouldn’t hear of it! Tom managed to smuggle an excavator from Maury Thayer of the Timberview Drive Subdivision to splay out a more direct route on Trail 7. How do you thank a landowner that loans us an excavator, the fuel to run it, and the land to cut for a snowmobile trail?!? This town has some kick-butt resources and we can’t thank you enough! Also falling under the wider than ever category, are Trail 8 and the FAA tower trail. They all should be much improved from the previous year.

The next subject up for bid is groomers. At the November 5^th meeting, we discussed about putting eyes and ears out for a smaller pickup or SUV to convert to a tracked groomer. The ink hadn’t even dried from the minutes of the meeting and Larry Davis had the keys in hand of a 1985 S-10 Blazer. We are now on the lookout for track kits. Larry is chompin’ at the bit to be the first one across the soon to be developed covered bridge for Trail 7 (pending D.E.P. approval). His spectacular design will have sledders from everywhere headed to Hermon. (If that don’t work, we always have the newly painted ceiling and new fluorescent lights in the Club House – and if they don’t attract riders, they’ll at least attract mosquitoes!!).

The paper pushers have also been busy. Mark White, one of the newest members, has come immediately to the front with his unparalleled creation of www.sledhermon.net. While it’s the Club’s first attempt at a website, it rivals the best of the best. Super job Mark! He works very hard at keeping it current, so check it often. I have followed in the paperwork department by prepping a purchase for a replacement bridge over Wheeler Stream. If dreams come true, we may get help from a Federal Grant, more as it’s available.

As we’ve had a taste of winter and it won’t be long now, I’ll leave you with these reminders. December 7th is Sign the Town Day. Don’t forget the 17^th, as the Big Red Man is scheduled to show up. December 20^th follows with the Adult Supper @ Geaghan’s Restaurant. December 31^st is the bonfire at the club. As always, everyone is welcome. If the season does get off to an early start, please think safety! We need everyone.

As it has been a great & exciting fall for club projects, it is with deep sadness to report that one of our fellow members has fallen. Norman Mattson has been a huge supporter from as far back as the late 70’s to early 80’s. It is even more unfortunate that I mention this in this article as he carried the torch of “Club Santa” for many years. We wish his wife Virginia the very best and look forward to being here any time you need us!

Have a Merry Holiday Season and we’ll see you in 2004.

John Monk, President