All I can say is “WOW” again, which is how I started the last newsletter.  We are having an awesome year for snowmobiling.  Thank you Mother Nature!!!  You have been forgiven for the past two seasons of almost snow-less winters.   The trails have been in great condition this year, thanks to all the people who work so hard to keep them that way.  We have received many compliments from people who have come to the Rangeley area to ride.

The heading on this newsletter reads February, however, it will cover the February and March issues.  We are combining months whenever possible to save on postage.   Any additional news items will be posted on our web site between newsletters.

Snodeo this year couldn’t have been more perfect!  The weather was unbelievable, the attendance was great and everything went smooth, and the club made money.  As far as we know everyone left happy.  Results from all Snodeo events are posted here

Bill Green and his Channel 6 crew visited us on Saturday to file a segment on Snodeo for his Bill Green’s Maine show.  The segment aired February 9^th.  We are acquiring a copy of this video and will try to make it available somehow to those who may be interested or to show at a future membership meeting.  This was a tribute to our Snodeo event as a widely recognized winter event here in Maine.

On the subject of Snodeo, we are hoping to bring back the Obstacle Course as an addition to next year’s Snodeo.  This was a huge success the couple years we ran it and are hoping to be able to do it again.  We need to find a location and people to work the event.  If you can help us, it would be appreciated.

Congratulations to long-time RLSC member, Scott Perry, who won the 2008 Arctic Cat this year!  You can find photos here.

Next year’s Snodeo is scheduled for January 22, 23, and 24 of 2009.  Mark your calendars - it’s not too soon to make reservations for rooms.  Many people have already done so.

We are making preparations for our annual Steak and Lobster dinner which will be held on March 8^th.  The reservation form is enclosed with this newsletter.  Make sure you get it in on time.  The hall only holds 100 people so it’s important to get your reservation in early.  In the past, we have had a full house for this dinner.  We will be doing a 50/50 drawing at the dinner.  You do not need to be present to win.  Tickets are enclosed with this letter and they are $1 each.  Just fill out the back side of the ticket and return it to the club with your check and you might win!  We usually give away $600 to $700 in this raffle.  Who couldn’t use that? 

If you are interested in helping out at the dinner, please let us know.  We need help setting the tables, preparing salads, etc. and also, cooking the steak and lobster.  We also need volunteers who would be willing to bring a dessert to the dinner.  Just e-mail me at gavi2@verizon.net and let me know if you are interested in helping out.

Needless to say, groomer fuel has been very expensive this season.  Our fundraisers are very important and play a huge role in what keeps us able to groom every night.  We have already spent what we spend on a normal full winter and we probably have another 6 or 7 weeks of grooming. (Let’s hope!!)  If you haven’t renewed your membership, please consider doing that now.  You can join the club until March 30^th.   If you receive a membership form with this newsletter it is because we haven’t received your renewal yet.  This will be your last newsletter if you don’t renew.  Membership fees count for a large part of our fundraising.

As the season winds down, your Officers and members of the Board of Directors have been focusing on next season.  We are hoping to purchase a new groomer and drag.  We also hope to upgrade the Groomer Barn by adding a septic system for an eventual toilet, and  to construct an outside covered storage shed.  We look to our members for comments on our new map and we could really use snowmobile related photos especially in digital formats. We receive more and more calls from reporters and free lance writers for information concerning information on snowmobiling in Rangeley.  They all request photos and we have few to offer.  If you have some you’re proud of, consider donating them to the club.  You will receive a photo credit if they are used.

We look forward to seeing you all at our March meeting!  Snowmobiling should still be great that weekend so please join us!

 Until next month,

Gail Gavigan, Secretary

Please visit our Sponsors page to check out businesses who have donated or pledged to donate to our grooming and trail maintenance program for this season. Be sure to patronize these businesses when in the area. It is due to their donations that we have the great riding conditions we all enjoy!