Thursday, December 08, 2011

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Lost dog

Hello,
 
My brother, Zeb Towne (244-7048) from Richardson Road in Duxbury, lost his long-legged, I-love-to-run&run dog Tuesday (11/22) before the storm.  We were wondering if you might post our attached flyer/spread the word in the hopes that if you still have folks out blazing trails/posting signs, they might come upon her?  Zeb lives very close to Camels Hump which makes for a vast area to cover and the clock is ticking. She was trained as a Leashed Tracking Dog so she may be tracking wounded deer; guarding it waiting for the hunter to arrive, or at this point, eating it.  She had ID/contact info on her and we are just hoping no one has shot her yet. However, if her remains are found, Zeb would also appreciate being contacted.  If you wouldn't mind/are able to, it would be greatly appreciated. 
 
Thank you & kindest regards,
Hannah Towne
cell 310-1920
home 476-7558
hltowne@yahoo.com
Get TICKED OFF about Lyme Disease!

www.lymediseaseassociation.org
www.lymepa.org
 

Yankee with correct dates

 
                    
  P.O. Box 248
             Waitsfield, VT 05673
 http://madriverridgerunners.blogspot.com
 
 
Come join us for our Annual Holiday Yankee Gift Exchange and Potluck Dinner. Please bring a dish to share, a beverage, a gift ( no more than $10) for the Yankee Gift Exchange, and some holiday cheer.
 
Event: Potluck & Club Meeting 
Day:  Tuesday, December 6th , 2011  ( I made an oops! This is now the correct date.)
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Mad River Ambulance Building, Waitsfield, VT
 
Looking forward to seeing folks for an enjoyable evening.
 
Cari Wilson
MRRR President
 
 
 

Sunday, December 04, 2011

Tma info

 
 
                    
  P.O. Box 248
             Waitsfield, VT 05673
 http://madriverridgerunners.blogspot.com
 
 
2011 Annual NEWSLETTER
      A special thanks to our current and past officers. We know how hard you work.
     President:        Cari Wilson (496-3836)                    Trail Master:         Tom Clark (496-3030)
    Vice President: Art Dages                                  Ass’t Trail Master: Paul Pizzale (496-4476)
    Secretary:        Stephanie Maheu                             Co-Safety Officers:  Skip Wallace (244-1580) &
    Treasurer:        Kerney Brown                                                                        Kevin Van Schaick
 
RAFFLE FUND RAISER
Congratulations to Karen & David Wright of Waitsfield, VT for winning the 2011 Artic Cat snowmobile.
 
The Raffle fundraiser was a success, raising about $3,000 dollars which goes directly into the local trails.  We are all aware that this has been a difficult fall for many people in our club and communities, none the less you purchased tickets and generously donated prizes.  Thank you for your continued support.
 
Our fund raiser is on the move! We are currently seeking a new location for the event. For suggestions or comments please call Cari Wilson at 802-496-3836.
 
TMA INFORMATION
 
VAST is offering an Early Bird TMA discount again this season. In order to get this savings, you must purchase your TMA prior to December 15, 2011.  Please see the attached TMA information sheet. TMA’s will be available at Kenyon’s or the Duxbury Country Store. We are asking that local members use these options in lieu of mailing if possible.
 
Do you know someone who uses our local trials for walking, skiing, mushing or snowshoeing and would like to support the trails?  For a donation of $15 they could become a supporting Club Member and receive their very own MRRR membership card.
E-mail communication is in full service now.   Many of you have been receiving regular updates of club events.  If you know of a club member who is not receiving the e-mails and would like to be added to our mailing list contact: Cari@gmavt.net.
 
Please note that this is the only newsletter we mail as a hard copy. If you want us to post- mail our communications to you please contact us at the club address.
TRAIL UPDATE
 
Members have been working hard to get the trails ready for the season. It is always a push, but in the wake of Irene this year was particularly difficult. A special thanks to Reggie Orr, Tom Clark and Doug Wilson for facilitating much of the reconstruction work. It has been time consuming and costly for MRRR and VAST.  We spent 3 days excavating corridor 100 to repair damage from the outhouse at WN58 to the suspension bridge. Trail C100 behind Harwood Union High School, needed major repairs to reestablish the trail and reroute Dowsville Brook back to its original location. On C17 the Pine Brook Bridge was washed out.  It has been reinstalled and decked(Thanks Alan & Forest).  Also on C17, a half mile trail washout and culvert repairs were made above Kew Vasseur Rd.   A washed out culvert was installed behind David Armstrong’s on C17 (Thanks David).  C100 is currently closed from Duxbury store to WN5.  We are still working on a reroute.  Camels Hump State Park, C100A from WN62-WN59, will be closed for the season due to extreme washouts. 
 
MARK YOUR CALENDERS - Up Coming Events
 
FREE SNOWMOBILE RIDER SAFTEY COURSE:  Saturday December 3rd, 2011 9am to 4pm.  Anyone 12 years of age or older, born after July 1, 1983 must take and pass a snowmobile safely course before operating a snowmobile on the VAST trails.  Students MUST pre- register. Contact Kevin VanSchaick  496-5378 or Skip Wallace 244-1580.
           
HOLIDAY POT LUCK & YANKEE GIFT EXCHANGE:  Tuesday December 6th, 6pm at the Mad River Ambulance Building. Please bring a dish to share, drinks for yourself, a gift (no more than $10.00) for the Yankee Gift exchange and some holiday cheer.
 
HOTDOG ROAST - New Year’s Day trailside get together to welcome the New Year- snow permitting; Meeting place and time to be announced
 
More winter events will be scheduled at our next meeting.
 
HOTDOG ROAST**** PROGESSIVE DINNER***** ANTIQUE SNOWMOBILE PARADE****
           WEEKEND OVERNIGHT RIDE ***** CLUB EVENING RIDES
 
 
MRRR blog- Whitney Phillips continues to do a great job maintaining and updating the blog. The site is: http://madriverridgerunners.blogspot.com.Please contact Whitney at ( madriverridgerunner@gmail.com ) if you have anything to be posted. 
 
TMA information and application can now be printed off the blog. Let your friends know.
 
                                                            Think SNOW!                       
 
Our next meeting is December 6th, 2011 at 6:00 pm at the Mad River Ambulance Building, Waitsfield, VT for our Holiday Celebration.
 
 
 
 

Yankee

 
                    
  P.O. Box 248
             Waitsfield, VT 05673
 http://madriverridgerunners.blogspot.com
 
 
Come join us for our Annual Holiday Yankee Gift Exchange and Potluck Dinner. Please bring a dish to share, a beverage, a gift ( no more than $10) for the Yankee Gift Exchange, and some holiday cheer.
 
Event: Potluck & Club Meeting 
Day:  Tuesday, December 8th , 2011
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Mad River Ambulance Building, Waitsfield, VT
 
 

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Dinner at the Hyde Away

 
 
 
                    
  P.O. Box 248
             Waitsfield, VT 05673
 http://madriverridgerunners.blogspot.com
 
 
The HYDE AWAY INN & RESTARANT and MRRR is teaming up for a fund raiser.  On Thursday November 3rd , 25% of all food sales will be donated to MRRR.  All you have to do is get out and enjoy a great homemade meal.  Tell everyone you can; plan a group outing with your friends. The more people the better!!!! Please come out and support your club and a great local restaurant..
 
 
Event: Club Meeting 
Day:  Tuesday, November 1st  , 2011
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Mad River Ambulance Building, Waitsfield, VT
 
Agenda Attached

Monday, October 31, 2011

Dinner out!!

 
 
                    
  P.O. Box 248
             Waitsfield, VT 05673
 http://madriverridgerunners.blogspot.com
 
 
Congratulations to Karen Wright of Waitsfield for winning the  2012- F 570 Artic Cat at our annual fundraiser!  Happy riding!!!
 
I would like to thank the ticket holders and all the businesses and individuals who generously contributed prizes for the event. Great job by the club members who put in the leg work to make the event a success.
 
 
The HYDE AWAY INN & RESTARANT and MRRR is teaming up for a fund raiser.  On Thursday November 3rd , 25% of all food sales will be donated to MRRR.  All you have to do is get out and enjoy a great homemade meal.  Tell everyone you can; plan a group outing with your friends. The more people the better!!!! Please come out and support your club and a great local restaurant..
 
 
Event: Club Meeting 
Day:  Tuesday, November 1st  , 2011
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Mad River Ambulance Building, Waitsfield, VT
 
 

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Dinner

 
                    
  P.O. Box 248
             Waitsfield, VT 05673
 http://madriverridgerunners.blogspot.com
 
Raffle Fundraiser
 
Our Annual fundraiser is this coming weekend, Saturday October 22nd. This year we are raffling off an F 570 Artic Cat with reverse and electric start.
 
As we all know times are lean, but we really need your help this year!!!!!!
 
Currently we have 9 tickets available for purchase.  Come get in the fun and support your club. You have a 1 in a 100 chance of winning a new sled! Plus dinner and a small gift/prize to take home.  
 
Our prize donations could also use some help.  Many of our local contributors were affected by the flood.  We are currently 26 prizes shy of our 99 needed.  Donations of any kind would be greatly appreciated. Gift cards from local establishment, baked goods, or services are just a few ideas.  Please email me at cari@gmavt.net or call 802-496-3836.  
 
 
All proceeds from this event go directly into the repairing and maintaining of our local trails.  
 
 
Cari Wilson
President MRRR

Monday, October 03, 2011

Raffle Fundraiser
 
Just a reminder that our annual fundraiser is approaching quickly; Saturday October 22nd.  The last minute preparations are being made and we are still in need of donations. Some lucky person will go home with a 2012- F 570 Artic Cat! We hope you will join us at the Gatehouse Lodge at Sugarbush Resort. Please pick up your ticket at Kenyon’s Variety Store or Contact Donna Kenyon at 496-3922.
 
 
Club Meeting.  All are welcome.  I have attached a copy of our agenda.
 
Event: Club Meeting 
Day:  Tuesday, October 4th , 2011
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Mad River Ambulance Building, Waitsfield, VT
 
 

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Public Meeting

Hello members this is a large parcel on which we have trails.  Please take a moment to voice your   opinion on the survey.  If possible a showing at Crosset MS Brook would be terrific.
Cari Wilson
President MRRR

From: Sbmcvt@aol.com [mailto:Sbmcvt@aol.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2011 1:38 PM
To: info@vermonttraditions.org
Subject: REMINDER--CAMEL'S HUMP PUBLIC MEETINGS TUES. & WED.

Hello Everyone,
This is a reminder about two important meetings on the sprawling 25,541 acre (40 square mile) Camel's Hump Area State Lands in Central Vermont next week.  It is important that Vermont Traditions Coalition and our member organizations have a presence at these meetings to weigh in on the side of recreational opportunity and public access for all as well as an aggressive timber mangement schedule for the benefit of forest health, wildlife abundance, and our rural wood products economy.  There is no way of knowing what the state may propose next week and no way of weighing in on it if we don't have a meaningful presence.
As you all know, there's a Vermont Traditions Coalition meeting with Fish & Wildlife Department Commissioner Pat Berry Tuesday night.  Thus, many of us including VTC staff will be at the VTC meeting.  Hopefully, some folks in this E-mail Network plan on attending the Tuesday Camel's Hump meeting so that VTC can be aware of what transpired.  Please notify Frank Stanley or I about Tuesday night's happenings if you do attend.  Frank and I will attend Wednesday's meeting in Duxbury.  Hopefully, others will join us so as to provide the meaningful presence we are seeking. 
PUBLIC MEETING DATES
TUESDAY            BREWSTER PIERCE MEMORIAL SCHOOL IN HUNTINGTON CENTER
WEDNESDAY      CROSSET BROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL IN DUXBURY
BOTH MEETINGS RUN FROM 7 PM--8:30 PM
DON'T FORGET: TAKE AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES SURVEY
If you haven't already done so, please take the public survey available to provide input to the Camel’s Hump Management Unit long range planning effort.  Members of your organization and anyone else out there are welcome to take the survey.  Please help us spread the word!  This survey is available until the end of June. 
I have already taken the survey, but we need you, your organizations and your network of friends to also take it so our point of view is the clear majority.  The same goes for the public meetings.  We need to be in the majority at these meetings.
SOME TIPS RE: TAKING THE SURVEY & PUBLIC MEETING PARTICIPATION


--State in the survey that recreation and vegetative managementand wildlife habitat are very important.  Resource protection and aesthetics management are not very important, in my opinion.  These lands are classic, beautiful Vermont mountains, woodlands and varied terrain which, in and of itself, creates outstanding aesthetics and protects resources just by the fact that it is a vast woodland.  Little or no management activity is needed for these values except maybe timber cutting to increase views. 
--This area contains 15 miles of some of the most beautiful snowmobile trails in the state. Snowmobiling should be ranked very high.  The logging road system would also lend itself to other motorized recreation at some point.  Hunting and fishing (to the extent there are fishable waters within these lands) should be very high priority.  Hiking Camel's Hump is very popular and always will be.
--This area should have been way, way more aggressively timber managed. There is an overwhelming amount of mature forest.  Game and non-game species thrive on heavy cutting, and the cutting brings money to the state and sustainable Vermont wood product industries.
--Conflicts between different forms of recreation should require minimal to no management. The area is big enough for all forms of wooded recreation
--There should be no restricted "wilderness" style set asides.  Back door posting of public lands is not what taxpayers bargained for when they bought the land.
--Public access by car or truck should be maintained or perhaps improved, depending on the specifics involving the land and access to it. There should be no road closures and perhaps some gate openings, again, depending on the specifics.  For example, hunter disbursement during hunting season may be helped by opening some gates for the season. 
--I'm sure many of you have important thoughts of your own to address.
If anyone wants to discuss any of this any further, I can be reached at the phone number below.
Steve McLeod, Executive Director
Vermont Tradions Coalition

Monday, April 04, 2011

Club Meeting


Hope you can make it to our club meeting.

Event: Club Meeting
Day: Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Mad River Ambulance Building, Waitsfield, VT

Topics to be discussed: Officer Elections
Landowner Appreciation
Signage Removal
Summer Projects

The sledding and hotdog roast was great fun. A special thanks to all who helped make it a great success Dimarios , Migneualts, Van Schaick, and the Wilsons,






Friday, March 11, 2011

Current trail conditions and March 13th Sledding


Trails Update: The groomers have been out with the compactor bar only. If we fair well through this next bought of rain they will be out and about with the drag.

Higher elevation trails  All trails have been over with the compactor bar. Northfield has not been opened up.


Lower elevations: The fields are  currently CLOSED. The groomer has not been across the valley floor. There are ice chunks and debris littering the fields. Even with the new snow, lots of water is still sitting in the fields, meaning slush and other unseen dangers. 

Here is some Eye Candy of playing in the fields at kenyon's with blue sky and DEEP snow.

TRAIL CLOSURE Rt100 corridor from the Duxbury Store to junction WN58-at the outhouse. Please respect the landowner’s request.


Happy Riding. Be safe and aware of the changing conditions.

Cari Wilson
MRRR President


There will be a fire to roast hotdogs and marshmallows. The sledding hill will be groomed for fast fun and snowmobiles will be available to tow folks up the hill.  Bring your own sleds, hotdogs, drinks and something to share if you like.  Hope to see you there.

Event: Sledding Party & Hotdog Roast
Day:  Sunday March 13th
Time: 10:30am to 2:00pm  
Place: Sharpshooters Road, N. Fayston VT


Call me at 496-3836 if you need directions. 

Cari Wilson
MRRR President


HOt dog roast and sledding


There will be a fire to roast hotdogs and marshmallows. The sledding hill will be groomed for fast fun and snowmobiles will be available to tow folks up the hill.  Bring your own sleds, hotdogs, drinks and something to share if you like.  Hope to see you there.

Event: Sledding Party & Hotdog Roast
Day:  Sunday March 13th
Time: 10:30am to 2:00pm  
Place: Sharpshooters Road, N. Fayston VT


Call me at 496-3836 if you need directions. 

Cari Wilson
MRRR President

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Trail update


Trails Update: Lots of rain and flooding Sunday, then 18 inches plus of snow downtown Sunday night and Monday. WOW!!

Higher elevation trails  are deep with new snow; 2 or more feet with lots of drifting.  The groomers will be breaking out trails this week, starting with the roads in the log job.

Lower elevationsThe fields are  currently CLOSED till the groomers can get out there and assess the situation. Yesterday the fields were covered with 2-3 feet of water. There are ice chunks and debris littering the fields. Even with the new snow, lots of water is still sitting in the fields, meaning slush and other unseen dangers.

TRAIL CLOSURE Rt100 corridor from the Duxbury Store to junction WN58-at the outhouse. Please respect the landowner’s request.


Happy RidingBe safe and aware of the changing conditions.

Cari Wilson
MRRR President

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

SPECIAL PLACE & TIME THIS MONTH FOR OUR CLUB MEETING


SPECIAL PLACE & TIME THIS MONTH FOR OUR CLUB MEETING, due to Town Meeting Day.

The meeting will be at the Big Picture Theater & Café at 7:30.  You could ride in on your sled and/or have dinner before the meeting. Hope you can make it.

Event: Club Meeting 
Day:  Tuesday, March 1st , 2011
Time: 7:30 pm
Place: Big Picture Theater & Café, Waitsfield, VT

 Anyone interested in a Wednesday Night Ride? They have been setting out weekly from Kenyon’s at 6:00pm. Come join us.

Cari Wilson,
MRRR President

Cari Wilson,
MRRR President

Monday, February 28, 2011

Special Meeting Place, thank you note and meeting new people.


SPECIAL PLACE & TIME THIS MONTH FOR OUR CLUB MEETING, due to Town Meeting Day.

The meeting will be at the Big Picture Theater & Café at 7:30.  You could ride in on your sled and/or have dinner before the meeting. Hope you can make it.

Event: Club Meeting 
Day:  Tuesday, March 1st , 2011
Time: 7:30 pm
Place: Big Picture Theater & Café, Waitsfield, VT

 Anyone interested in a Wednesday Night Ride? They have been setting out weekly from Kenyon’s at 6:00pm. Come join us.


While I was unloading at Kenyon's something caught my eye.  Right next to me,  there were two friends and their son unloading.  2 sleds and a motocross bike with a track.  I walked over and said hello.  His first words were "go get your helmet and try it out"  Both really friendly guys taking their son out for his first day on the trails.  Thank you again for letting me try it out.  Hope to run into them both again.  
Let me say that it was a little icy but with some practice and some fresh snow.  This thing would be a ton of fun!!!!
I got a call from a friend who lives south of here.  He wanted me to give him rides to the top so he could ski.  The sno mo was more fun than the skiing  but don't tell him that.



Here is a thank you note from Judy in S. Burlington 





Your trails were amazing today, thank you so much for all the volunteer effort. 
Again, thank you
Judy from S. Burlington






TRAIL UPDATE:
All the trails were groomed prior to the new snow today, about 10” in the valley. Northfield, the Duxbury Store, the valley floor and the fields were groomed today. The remainder of the trail system, Camel’s Hump, Log Job and Huntington are scheduled to be groomed in the morning.  Get out and ride. It should be a great weekend.



The Saturday February 19th day ride was a great success.  We had 15 participants and rode 145 miles.  We went over the suspension bridge through Waterbury to East Montpelier through Calais, had lunch in Hardwick and retuned through Worcester, Middlesex and Waterbury. All in all a great ride.

Wednesday Night Rides are fun and happening weekly. The group averages 6 sleds give or take. They ride 50 or 60 miles and have dinner. Meet at Kenyon’s 6:00pm.  All are welcome.







TRAIL CLOSURE Rt100 corridor from the Duxbury Store to junction WN58-at the outhouse. Please respect the landowner’s request. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. 


Happy Riding

Cari Wilson
MRRR President

PS Did you get any great pictures???? Please send them along for us. 

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Trail Conditions



All the trails have been groomed in the last 48 hours. They are flat and well covered. These are the best conditions we have had in several years!  Get out and ride!

Saturday February 19th day ride; We will meet at Kenyon’s 8:15am ready to ride, i.e. a full tank.  The ride will be 100+ miles with a stop for lunch, so plan for the entire day. The actual route will be decided on closer to the date depending on snow conditions. We would like to have an idea of the numbers, please drop me an email if you are interested.




TRAIL CLOSURE Rt100 corridor from the Duxbury Store to junction WN58-at the outhouse. Please respect the landowner’s request. We are close to having a way through; details to come in the next week or so. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. 



Happy Riding

Cari Wilson
MRRR President

PS Did you get any great pictures???? Please send them along for us. 

Monday, February 07, 2011

Wed night ride & Day Trip 2/19/11

The groomers were out today. Saturday’s storm dumped about 8 inches of nice damp snow, so the trails are setting up nicely. You have got to love all that snow! Thanks to all of our operators for all your long hours in the groomers to make our trail such a pleasure.

The trails are flat so let’s go!! Who is up for a Wednesday night ride? Meet at Kenyon’s, 6:00pm. Do we want to ride over to the Cider House for dinner? Drop me a quick email.

Heads up, the club is planning a club day trip on Saturday February 19th. We will meet at Kenyon’s8:15am ready to ride, i.e. a full tank.  The ride will be 100+ miles with a stop for lunch, so plan for the entire day. The actual route will be decided on closer to the date depending on snow conditions. Drop an email if you are interested.


Cari Wilson
MRRR President


Trail Conditions


The groomers are out daily.  The snow this week helped a lot and we are getting more tonight!!!!

Trails Update: Conditions are great with lots of snow. 

Higher elevation trails have excellent snow cover. Camel’s Hump is being groomed as I write.

Huntington has been cutpacked, and groomed with a drag.

   
Lower elevations: the fields and the village are groomed with good coverage.  

The trial to Northfield, the village and the fields will be groomed in the early morning.

100 from Harwood to the Duxbury Store is in good condition. Please remember the trail for the moment dead-ends at the store. The new store hours are 6:30am to 9:00pm.

TRAIL CLOSURE Rt100 corridor from the Duxbury Store to junction WN58-at the outhouse. Please respect the landowner’s request.We are close to having a way through; details to come in the next week or so. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. 
Happy Riding

Cari Wilson
MRRR President

PS Did you get any great pictures???? Please send them along for us. 


Progressive dinner & Meeting


Thanks to all who participated in the Progressive Dinner. As usual it was a delightful time with good friends and lots of terrific food. A special thanks to our hosts, Gary & Arlie BelknapLisa Townsend & Paul Pizzale, Reggie & Kathi Orr and to all who contributed to the delicious feast. Check out the photos below courtesy of the Gary & Arlie.




Hope you can make it to our club meeting.

Event: Club Meeting 
Day:  Tuesday, February 2nd, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Mad River Ambulance BuildingWaitsfieldVT

Military Ride & Trails


Come celebrate our service men and women by attending the Annual Military Appreciation Day sponsored by VAST.
Free snowmobile rides for kids and adults, vintage sled parade, Blackhawk helicopter (11:30am), food and more.

Event: Military Appreciation Day
Day:  Saturday, January 29th, 2011
Time: 10:00 to 2:00
Place: Kenyon’s Field Rt 100 WaitsfieldVT 5:30 pm

All trails have been groomed in the last couple of days. 

Trails Update: Conditions are good to excellent throughout our entire trial system.   A bit more snow would go along way.
  
100 from Harwood to the Duxbury Store is in good condition. Please remember the trail for the moment dead-ends at the store. The new store hours are 6:30am to 9:00pm.

TRAIL CLOSURE Rt100 corridor from the Duxbury Store to junction WN58-at the outhouse. Please respect the landowner’s request. We are working on an alternative route, we will keep you posted.

Happy Riding

Cari Wilson
MRRR President