Jan News Letter

   President:        Cari Wilson (496-3836)            Trail Master:         Marty De Heer (496-7051)
    Vice President: Art Dages                                   Ass’t Trail Master: Paul Pizzale (496-4476)
    Secretary:        LOOKING for a Volunteer          Safety Officer:        Skip Wallace (244-1580)
    Treasurer:        Lois De Heer

                              January 2010 NEWSLETTER
Great news we have some snow! The trails have been fairly good since Christmas.
We like to say good “early riding”.  The groomers have been out in full force,
but with the recent warm up they will need more snow before retuning to the
lower elevations.  The higher elevation trails have good snow coverage and
continue to be groomed regularly.

E-mail communication is in full service now.  Many of you have been receiving
 regular updates of club events.  We would like some feedback on the new set up;
 too many e-mails, not enough or any general thoughts.  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@gamvt.net.

Our annual Progressive dinner will be held Saturday, January 23, 2010. Snow or no snow!
(Many of you already know this from the e-mail correspondence) The dinner is limited
 to 30 members and a $10.00 donation is requested to help with the cost of the food.
If you would like to attend and to sign up for food contributions please call
Cari at 802-496-3836. We will meet at Kenyon’s at 5:30 pm to ride sleds or carpool.
                   Appetizers                   Belnap’s camp                       
                   Dinner                        Paul Pizzale’s                         
                   Dessert                       Wilson’s                         

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.


                          Up-Coming Events

Wednesday Night Rides:       Date:   Every Wednesday
                                                Place: Kenyon’s parking lot
                                                Time: Ready to Ride at 6:00pm

Wednesdays are a great night to get out; all the trails are freshly groomed! It is a time to
 enjoy the trails with friends and share some local cuisine if folks choose to.
Everyone is welcome!

Military Ride:      Date:  Saturday January 30th 2010
                             Place: Kenyon’s Field
                             Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
                             Cost:  FREE

This event is to honor all who have served or are serving our county in the military. This
event features: Guided Tours; Snowmobile Vendors; Food; Safety Inspections; Youth sleds
available for kids to ride; Snowmobile demos for the adults, and a Black Hawk Helicopter
 visit. This event is sponsored by VAST.

Many thanks to you all that have served our country from the Mad River Rindge Runners.       

Weekend Overnight:     Date: February 26th & 27th
                                      Place: St Johnsbury
                                      Cost:  Pending

Always an enjoyable weekend for all; we will be trailering to a St. J destination yet to be
determined.  Some members ride and some choose to patron the local shops or sip coffee for
 some leisure time. In the evening we all gather for a delightful dinner and colorful recounts
 of the day’s events. Please contact: Cari at 496-3836 or cari@gmavt.net  if you would like
 to attend. RSVP by 2/6/10 More details to come via e-mail correspondence.

We are working on sponsoring a Radar Run some time in February, but the details are still
 being hammered out. We will keep you posted.


                             Think SNOW!                Happy Trails

Next meeting will be February 2nd, 2010 at 7:00 PM at the Fayston Town Hall.
                   Hope to see you there!! There will be cookies.

Trail Update Jan 19th

Hello Fellow Snowmobile Enthusiasts:

Doug and I took our four year old boys Ben and Tim for a 60 mile ride.  We went around the Camel’s Hump loop, up high the trails are terrific- plenty of snow, down past Duxbury Store and out through the fields.
We hand a fun family day and it was not too cold!  The one benefit of the warm-up, even if it did not do the trails a lot of good.

TRAILS:
100 and 100A are good in the higher elevation- the log job and Camel’s Hump and Huntington (on the back side it runs out of snow quickly).
100 from Duxbury store to the fields is boney, the fields and valley floor are in need of more snow. 
The groomer will not be able to go through the lower elevation again till we get a good snow fall.  We will continue to groom the higher elevation trails.


Wednesday Night Ride:  I am still up for a jaunt in the higher elevations.  I am planning to be at Kenyon’s ready to ride at 6:00.  We had a great time last week!
                                  
Progressive Dinner:  Is on for this Saturday the 23rd . Please RSVP by Wednesday if you would like to attend.  It is great time and terrific food.
      We now have about 22 people; 30 is the max.
                              There is also a $10 donation per person to cover food costs.
                            
                              The Dinner will go on!!! Even if the trails are thin.  Most of the ride will be in the higher elevations.
      People may also drive to the main course and dessert; appetizers do not have car access.


Happy Trials,

Cari Wilson
President MRRR

Progressive Dinner Ride /

On Saturday January 23rd we are having our annual Progressive Dinner.  For this event we meet at Kenyon’s and ride to three stops;
Belanap’s Camp on Corridor 100B north of WN55 for appetizers; then we ride on to Puzzle’s near WN91 for dinner; and on to the Wilson’s
 for dessert between WN52 and WN54.  The riding is fun, food is terrific and the company is enjoyable.

Event:   Progressive Dinner
Date:    January 23rd  2010 
Place:   Kenyon’s
Time:    Ready to ride at 5:30 pm

This event is limited to 30 people.

RSPV to Cari Wilson, 802-496-3836 or e-mail, by Wednesday January 20th.

Hope to see you there.

Cari Wilson
MRRR –President
802-496-3836

Jan 12th Update

Hello All,

The trails are groomed and ready for riding! Corridor 100 has been groomed from WN50, Neils field, to the suspension bridge. Lots of snow in higher elevations, fields is good, and snow is thin behind Harwood. Northfield has been groomed once, will need more snow prior to grooming again.


Tomorrow, January 13, 2010, the club having its first Wednesday Night Ride of the season; Meet at Kenyon’s ready to ride at 6:00.
Doug and I were thinking we could eat dinner at the Cider House in Waterbury. Hope to see you there.

Cari Wilson
MRRR President
802-496-3836

Jan 7th update

So there is good news and bad news. The good news is that there is great coverage on our trails and the boys have been out with the groomers. It might even be cherry enough to get Reg out there for a ride. The bad news is that Burlington got 33 " and we got skunked.
We were up early and ready to go play in all the snow that was promised to us by the evil people at the weather channel. My friends woke up at 6 in burlington to dig out there trucks and drive to the valley ( where the snow was supposed to be ) only to find 3 " on the ground. I am not sure what caused this strange phenomenon but I hope it's the last time I ever see it happen.
The only snow to be found was on the other side of of the mountain. So up and over we went. It was fun busting through all the wind drifts and by about 10:30 or so I had stopped cursing Tom Messner.

Happy New Year!!!!

We finally have some good coverage out there on the trails. The fields are still a little thin but once you get above 2k feet the coverage gets much better. The beaver meadow area down through the hump is as good as mid feb.

I went out yesterday and on my way home couldn't see the front of the truck.

Although it is cold out there I know there is snow getting blown into the meadow.

Get out there and be safe for 2010.

If you get some photos send them to me and I will post them up.

Turkey Time

Turkey Time..... Looks like we have snow in the forecast for next week so cross your fingers.

Below you will see photos from the Raffle and fixing the bridge.

A Very Big THANK YOU to everyone for coming out and working in the rain.

IT's a group effort to make everything possible.

Remember. It is very important to go out to the shed or the shop and sit on your sled like you are riding. It makes them feel loved. It's better for them than an oil change and it will make run harder for you this winter.

OH Yeah.. the news letter is at the bottom...

PO BOX 248, WAITSFIELD, VERMONT 05673

President: Cari Wilson (496-3836) Trail Master: Marty De Heer (496-7051)

Vice President: Art Dages Ass’t Trail Master: Paul Pizzale (496-4476)

Secretary: Please VOLUNTEER!! Safety Officer: Skip Wallace (244-1580)

Treasurer: Lois De Heer

November 2009 NEWSLETTER

Congratulations to Mike Doney of Moretown for winning the 2009 Polaris IQ Shift. Our annual raffle dinner was a huge success. Thanks to all the members who volunteered and our local businesses for donating prizes.

The club could use YOUR help! Everyone is busy, but we need to keep our snowmobiling community and trails happy and healthy.

The club is seeking to find a volunteer to help out with the position of secretary. It is just a few hours a month.

We are still hard at work on the trails and need some strong strapping guys to run chainsaws and build bridges. The work crew meets every Saturday, 8:00, at Kenyon’s. Bridge work is also scheduled for November 14^th and 21^st. Call Marty at 496-7051.

BLOG site is: http://madriverridgerunners.blogspot.com.

Please contact Cari (vastridgerunner@gmail.com) if you have anything to be posted. We attempt to update the site regularly, but our resident expert has moved on, so we are on the learning curve. The blog will provide current information about club happenings. This is another area the club could use help with. Please let us know if you have such computer skills.

MRRR is going to a PAPERLESS newsletter. If you would like to receive our newsletter via email, please fill out the form at the bottom of the newsletter or email us (cari@gmavt.net). The newsletter will also be available on our blog when we work out the maintenance details. For the few who are not computer savvy and would still like a copy mailed through the post office, contact Cari at 496-3836.

VAST is offering an Early Bird TMA discount again this season. In order to get that savings, you must purchase your TMA prior to December 15, 2009. For the Early Bird TMA via mail, applications must be post marked prior to 12-15-09. All paper work and documents need to be in correct order for us to process the application in a timely manor. Please see the attached TMA information sheet. TMAs will again be available at Kenyon’s or the Duxbury store

Holiday Pot Luck and Yankee Gift Exchange

Please bring a dish to share, drinks for yourself and a gift (no more than $12.00) for the Yankee Gift exchange to the December meeting.

Next meeting: Holiday Pot Luck on December 1, 2009,

Fayston Municipal Building at 6:00 pm

At our next meeting we will be scheduling this season’s fun activities so put your snowy thinking cap on.

Hope to see you there!

………………….…………..cut here…cut here…cut here…………………………….

MRRR Paperless Newsletter

Name: _______________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________

Phone:________________________________________________

Email:________________________________________________

Mail to MRRR, PO Box 248, Waitsfield, Vermont 05673

Winter is coming

Winter "Coming soon to a trail near you"

Time to blow the dust of the old sleighs and get ready.

This was dec 21st 2008

We would also like to congratulate the Orrs on the new addition to the club.

Grandpa Reg has such a nice ring to it.

August 2009 Newsletter

August 2009 NEWSLETTER

It’s time again for the Season Kick Off Pot Luck Dinner.
Bring a dish to share and your drinks.

Please join us September 8, 2009, 6:00PM at the Fayston Municipal Building.

May 2009 Newsletter

Due to increased costs and our limited budget this is the last newsletter that will be mailed. Newsletters are posted on our blog http://madriverridgerunners.blogspot.com. A request in writing from members without email who wish to continue receiving the newsletter should be sent to MRRR, PO Box 248, Waitsfield, Vermont 05673

Please contact Tony ( vastridgerunner@gmail.com ) if you have anything to be posted.

The slate of officers cannot be finalized due to open positions for President and Secretary. Please consider supporting the club by becoming an officer. Contact any club officer if you are interested.

President:
Vice President: Art Dages
Treasurer: Lois DeHeer
Secretary:
Trail Master: Marty DeHeer
Assistant Trail Master: Paul Pizzale
Saftey Officer: Skip Wallace


Our last meeting for the summer will be our annual cookout at the Dages’ Residence. Please call Art at 496-2577 for directions.
Please bring your own drinks and meat to grill, a pot luck dish to share and lawn chairs.


Next meeting will be Tuesday, June 2, 2009 6:00 PM at the Dages’ Residence. Hope to see you there!!

April 2009 Newsletter

April 2009 NEWSLETTER

We had our April meeting at the Fayston Town Hall on Tuesday, April 7, 2008.
Seven members attended.

TRAILS
Special thanks to our dedicated groomers, Doug, Peanut, Paul, Skip, Lenny and Stuart, who did an outstanding job again this year of maintaining our trails.

SLATE OF OFFICERS
Please consider supporting our club by volunteering to become an officer. The president and secretary positions are open.

The following nominations were made and will be voted on at the May meeting:

President:
Vice President: Art Dages
Secretary:
Treasurer: Lois De Heer
Trailmaster: Marty De Heer
Ass’t Trailmaster: Paul Pizzale
Safety & Ed: Skip Wallace

MRRR blog- Don’t forget to check our site for the latest club activities. The site is: http://madriverridgerunners.blogspot.com.
Please contact Tony ( vastridgerunner@gmail.com ) if you have anything to be posted.

Our last meeting for the summer will be June 2nd and will be our annual cookout at the Dages’ Residence. Please call Art at 496-2577 for directions.
Please bring your own drinks and meat to grill, a pot luck dish to share and lawn chairs.


Next meeting: May 5, 2009, 7:00 PM at the Fayston Town Hall.
Hope to see you there!!

New Link Added

Richard Migneault thought that other club members might be interested inSledGPS Snowmobile Trail Maps for Garmin GPS. The link to this site has been added to the Links section on the right side of this site.

February 2009 Newsletter

February 2009 NEWSLETTER


We had our February meeting at the Fayston Town Hall on Tuesday, February 3, 2009. Ten members attended.

Our annual Progressive dinner was held Saturday, January 24, 2009. Twenty two members attended. Special thanks to the Belnaps, Orr’s and DeHeer’s for hosting a great evening.

A family fun day honoring Vermont's military personal and their families was held January 31, 2009 at Kenyon’s Field. The Military VIP Ride-In was a huge success and well attended. Thanks to all the volunteers who made the day possible.


Please contact Tony ( vastridgerunner@gmail.com ) if you have anything to be posted to this blog site.

Please note our next meeting has changed due to Town Meeting Day.

Next meeting will be Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the DeHeer Residence.
Hope to see you there!!

Military VIP Ride-In This Weekend

The VAST Military Ride In is this weekend Saturday January 31 and will be held at Kenyon's Field from 10-2 PM.
This is a family fun day honoring Vermont's military personal and their families.


Winter activities will include snowmobile rides for all ages, games, special events, and guests. A warming hut and barbecue will be available.

Please contact Doug Wilson if you are able to volunteer on Friday or Saturday.

January 2009 Newsletter

January 2009 NEWSLETTER

We had our January meeting at the Fayston Town Hall on Tuesday, January 6, 2008. Eight members attended.

Sadly, Stanley R. Orr, a founding member of the Mad River Ridge Runners, passed away on January 1, 2009. Our deepest condolences to the Orr family. The family requests memorial gifts to the Mad River Valley Ambulance Service, PO Box 305, Waitsfield, VT 05673.

Unfortunately due to the lack of snow the Annual Hot Dog Roast will be rescheduled. Please check the blog for the date.

Our annual Progressive dinner will be held Saturday, January 24, 2009. Snow or no snow! The dinner is limited to 30 members and a $5.00 donation is requested to help with the cost of the food. If you would like to attend and to sign up for food contributions please call Cathi at 802-496-2577. We will meet at Kenyon’s at 5:30 pm to ride sleds or carpool.

Snow
Appetizers Belnap’s camp

No Snow
Art and Cathi Dages

Dinner Paul Pizzale’s

Dessert DeHeer’s

MRRR blog- Tony continues to do a great job maintaining and updating the blog. The site is: http://madriverridgerunners.blogspot.com.
Please contact Tony ( vastridgerunner@gmail.com ) if you have anything to be posted.

Next meeting will be February 3, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Fayston Town Hall.
Hope to see you there!!

Groomer Report (Tuesday January 13)

Doug Wilson reports that our trail system continues to be groomed. Camels Hump Park and the Log Job were groomed during the weekend. The Valley floor and the trail over to Northfield are going to be groomed tomorrow and the plan is to have the trail to Huntington groomed by this weekend.

We Need Your Help Clearing The Trails Of Fallen Trees

The high winds that we have experienced in the valley the last couple of weeks has downed many trees throughout our trail system. These trees are going to seriously slow down the ability of our groomers to cover ground and open up more terrain. When you go out for a ride, please bring a chainsaw, a handsaw or even an axe or hatchet with you and do your part to help clear the trails. The trail to Huntington, the trail to Northfield and Paul's Trail (100A, Talc Mine Rd to the Log Job) need the most urgent attention.

The Passing Of One Of Our Founding Members

Stanley R. Orr
1916 - 2009

Stanley R. Orr – 92, of Radcliffe Drive, passed away in the comfort of his family at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin on Thursday, January 1, 2009. Born in Calais on September 3, 1916, he was the son of the late Fred and Mabel (Slayton) Orr. On August 18, 1945, Stanley married the former Eleanor Wells in Plainfield.
Stanley was a graduate of the former Plainfield High School and as a young man he worked on the family farm in Calais. His specialty was raising turkeys. In 1946, he purchased the Hardware Store in Marshfield and with it founded a plumbing and heating business. Moving to Waitsfield in 1959, Stanley continued his plumbing and heating business and in addition, with his wife, began a ski lodge known as Orr’s Ark, a longtime institution in the Mad River Valley. Stanley retired in 1975 and with Eleanor, began traveling in their mobile home throughout the lower 48 states as well as Alaska, an adventure they completely enjoyed for nearly 30 years. Stanley also loved hunting and fishing.
His memberships included the Couples Club in Waitsfield, the Waitsfield United Church of Christ, the Valley Rotary Club and was a founding member of the Mad River Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club.
Stanley is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eleanor Orr of Waitsfield; a daughter, Deborah Orr of Moretown; a son, Reginald Orr and his wife, Kathi of Waitsfield; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Stanley was predeceased by two children, Peggy Orr and Brian Orr, as well as 3 sisters and 7 brothers.
Memorial services will be held from the Waitsfield United Church of Christ on Wednesday, January 7th at 6:30 p.m. The family requests that flowers be omitted; rather memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Mad River Valley Ambulance Service, PO Box 305, Waitsfield, VT 05673. To send on-line condolences please visit www.perkinsparker.com .

Amazing early season powder conditions

Club member Whitney Philips submitted these great pictures of recent riding conditions up in the park.

December 2008 Newsletter

December 2008 NEWSLETTER

President: Tony Amenta (496-2925)
Vice President: Art Dages
Secretary: Cathi Dages
Treasurer: Lois De Heer
Trail Master: Marty De Heer (496-7051)
Ass’t Trail Master: Paul Pizzale (496-4476)
Safety Officer: Skip Wallace (244-1580)

We had our Annual Holiday Potluck, Yankee Gift Exchange and December meeting at the Fayston Town Hall on Tuesday, December 2nd. Thirteen members attended.

The official opening day of the season Monday, December 15th. Thanks to all the volunteers that made that opening possible.

The Annual Hot Dog Roast will be New Years Day. We will meet at Kenyon’s and will depart on sleds at 11am. Please bring your own hot dogs and drinks.

Future club outings include: An overnight ride to St. Johnsbury’s - February 7th and 8th; A Quebec weekend in March and the annual Progressive Dinner on January 24th. More info to follow.

Please contact Tony ( vastridgerunner@gmail.com ) if you have anything to be posted to this blog.

Next meeting will be January 6, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Fayston Town Hall.
Hope to see you there!!

Have a wonderful safe and snow filled Holiday