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We welcome submission of photos and stories of your snowmobiling

experiences!  Just e-mail them to info@snowmobilerumford.com

Here's an opportunity to allow your competitive spirit rise to the occasion!
 
 


ANNUAL MEETING ELECTION RESULTS

3/14/08

The Rumford Polar Bears Snowmobile Club Annual Meeting took place on March 13, 2008 at Sam's Restaurant.  Below are the results of the election of officers which took place at the meeting.

President:  Ron E. Russell

Vice-President:   Rob A. Cameron

Treasurer:  Bob Stickney

Secretary/Corresponding Secretary:  Louise Stickney

Trail Masters:   Tom Reed, Fern Dumoulin, and Gene Knox

At-large board member:  John Blais

At-large board member:  Daniel Stearns

Thanks to all who were willing to serve!


FAMILY FUN

2/21/08

It's school vacation week and there are a lot of families out on the trails enjoying this wonderful winter sport of snowmobiling. 

Keep in mind that the Rumford Polar Bears Snowmobile Club trail system makes its way up and down mountains and through the forests. It is not made for speed, but affords riders the opportunity to appreciate the beautiful landscape of Western Maine. 

Let's make it a safe vaction time for everyone:  ride on the right side of the trail and keep a prudent speed.

 

(Click on photo for a larger view.)

Warren and Leah Karlberg with their mother, Kate, enjoyed

the Polar Bears Trails this week.  The Karlbergs are from Gardiner.


ACCESS TO TRAILS IN JEOPARDY

2/17/08

We are in danger of losing access to some of our trails because of the irresponsible actions of a few thoughtless people. There are snowmobilers who are riding off the trails onto private property. They are riding sleds which are very loud and causing a disturbance to landowners, especially late at night.

The Rumford Polar Bears Snowmobile Club has worked hard to maintain harmonious relationships with the landowners who let us use their property for snowmobiling. The landowners do not want to block access, but unless the situation is controlled, that is just what will happen.

We all need to work together to keep our trails open.  You can help by getting the offending sledder's registration number and calling Game Warden Brock Clukey at 207-392-1479. 


HOPE ASSOCIATION RIDE-IN

2/10/08

The weather cooperated for the 33rd Annual Hope Association Ride-In - all the participants got to have a snowmobile ride before the snow started to fall. 

Snowmobile club members from many of the area clubs were on hand to give rides to over 30 people.  Hats (or should we say helmets) off to the Slippery Sliders from the Roxbury-Byron area!  They had 14 club members attending and Mike Worthley and his wife were also there representing the ATV club.

(Click on photos for a larger view.)
                     
                    


JOHN BLAIS ON TV!

2/4/08

John Blais, the son of John and Linda Blais, was featured in a WCSH 6 TV news segment about metal trades in Maine.  What a thrill to see one of our young Polar Bears Club members making the news in such a positive way! Young John was the winner of the first Rumford Polar Bears Scholarship a couple of years ago.  That money certainly has been put to good use!

Many of us who come to Club meetings on a regular basis have watched John grow up.  Both big John and little John have been active club members.  From the time he was in grammar school John and his dad sold 50/50 tickets at Club meetings.  His dad taught John to drag the trails and they both pitch in with trail work - brushing, helping with bridge building, and putting up signs. 

Keep up the good work, John, and good luck with your job at D&G Machine!

Click here to see the video which appeared on WCSH 6 TV.


TRAIL MAGIC!

 

What's “trail magic” you ask? It's a term used by those hiking the Appalachian Trail who experience unexpected acts of goodwill extended by strangers. For a hiker it might be a package of cookies or candies stashed along the trail, a ride into town, or a home-cooked meal and a night in a real bed.

Snowmobilers experience “trail magic” too. It's the caring and concern showed when snowmobilers encounter a sled stopped along the trail with the cowling raised. The person with the sled trouble won't be passed by, but will invariably be offered help by nearly every passing snowmobiler.

Snowmobile “trail magic” happens when someone notices a problem on a trail and sets about fixing the problem. Maybe it's a sign put up that will help people more easily find their way. Or it's the washed out section of trail that gets Christmas tree bows and snow shoveled into it by some unknown hand or hands.

We say THANK YOU to all these wonderful people who make “trail magic” happen!

 


LANDOWNER APPRECIATION DINNER

November 15, 2007

 

The wild, wet weather on Thursday evening, November 15, didn't deter Rumford landowners from attending the Rumford Polar Bears Landowner Appreciation Dinner. 

Ron Russell (seated, left), and his son Ron, along with Bob and Louise Stickney were on hand to greet guests as they arrived at the Eagles Hall.

 

Sixty landowners and 14 Club members enjoyed a delicious roast pork dinner catered by Wayne McPherson. 

Guests line up for the roast pork buffet.
 
After dinner, David Kimball, with that wonderful twinkle in his eyes, entertained the group with his unique brand of Maine humor which generated lots of smiles and laughter.
 
The evening wrapped up with the drawing of the door prize and the 50/50 raffle. 
Rumford Polar Bears President Rob Cameron presents Jane Peterson with the door prize while Jane's husband Herb looks on.
 
Club member Kristen Blais was the winner of the 50/50 raffle which benefited the Polar Bears Scholarship fund.


CLUB REORGANIZES GROOMING &

MAINTENANCE RESPOSIBILITIES

 

The Rumford Polar Bears Snowmobile Club kicked off the 2007-2008 season by holding a special pot-luck lunch meeting on October 14, at the home of Rob and Louanne Cameron.

In an effort to distribute the work load and encourage volunteerism, discussion centered on a proposed reorganization of trail maintenance and grooming responsibilities. To this end, it was decided to train several more people to operate the Tucker using mentoring by the experienced groomers along with the groomer awareness training DVD put out by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. The goal is to have six groomer operator teams. Trailmaster Gordon Phillips has developed a groomer check list to ensure proper care of the equipment. Fern Dumoulin and Tom Reed put together a proposed trail grooming schedule for when the snow flies.

The entire trail system has been divided into six sections for the purposes of maintenance and signing. The plan is to find six people who will each take responsibility for one section. A list of responsibilities for these “trail maintenance supervisors” is being developed to help them with their work. When it comes time to get a work party together, there will be a work party organizer who will contact club members to ask for help with brushing trails, building bridges, or whatever other work needs to be done. We hope you’ll be able to lend a few hours when you get a call to help!


SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED

 
Have you joined the Rumford Polar Bears Snowmobile Club?  One of the benefits of membership is a $200 scholarship to a graduating senior who is planning to attend college or vocational school. To qualify for this scholarship, an applicant must be a member of the Rumford Polar Bears Snowmobile Club, either a regular member or an associate member.  Remember, you can join on-line now by using this link - Join On-Line.

To apply, the student must submit the following information on a piece of paper:  name, address, telephone number, and name of the college or vocational school the student plans to attend. This information should be sent to the Rumford Polar Bears Snowmobile Club, PO Box 634, Rumford, ME 04276.

The winner will be chosen in May 2008 by a random drawing and the scholarship will be awarded upon successful completion of the first semester of college or vocational school. If you need more information, please contact Robert or Louise Stickney by telephone at 364-3848 or by e-mail at info@snowmobilerumford.com.
 


Club Meeting Minutes

February 14, 2008 Meeting Minutes

January 10, 2008 Meeting Minutes

December 13, 2007 Meeting Minutes

November 8, 2007 Meeting Minutes

October 11, 2007 Meeting Minutes

September 13, 2007 Meeting Minutes

 

Click here to read minutes of meetings prior to September 2007.


ARCHIVES

Past stories and photos featured in News and Events can be accessed by clicking here.

 

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Rumford Polar Bears Snowmobile Club
President - Ron E. Russell
Treasurer - Bob Stickney
Vice President - Rob Cameron
Secretary - Louise Stickney
Trail Masters - Tom Reed, Fern Dumoulin, & Gene Knox

Email: info@snowmobilerumford.com
Phone: (207) 364-3848
Meeting Location: Sam's Restaurant
Time: 7:00pm
Date: 2nd Thursday of the month September through April

 

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