Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

Snowmobiling: Club gatherings bring good cheer, with or without snow

By CATHY GENTHNER

Tis the season -- to join a snowmobile club!

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While waiting for snowmobile season to commence, consider joining one of the 288 snowmobile clubs in Maine.

Gordon Chibroski/2008 Telegram file photo

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THERE'S MORE

For more information about upcoming snowmobiling events and an itinerary form (click the link for MSA members), visit the Maine Snowmobile Association website at: www.mesnow.com

For information about snowmobile laws, registration and safety courses, visit www.maine.gov/ifw/atv_snowmobile_watercraft/snowmobile.htm

OK, there isn't any substantial snowfall or official grooming going on just yet, but you can have a great time getting ready for the season and making new friends by joining a snowmobile club. Plus, the holiday party season is going on right now, and the clubhouses are full of good food and fun as they celebrate the season.

"We have 13,500 families and 2,200 businesses that belong to 288 clubs statewide. They maintain and groom 14,500 miles of trails. New members are always welcome, and most people enjoy snowmobiling as a group activity," said Bob Meyers, the executive director of the Maine Snowmobile Association.

"Joining a club isn't an automatic sentence to work on the trails, but it is surely an easy way to say 'thanks' to the volunteers and landowners who make all this possible. And, of course, once you join and start getting the club and MSA newsletters, you're in tune with everything happening in the snowmobile works."

The cost of joining a club begins at $20 for individual, family and business memberships. Many clubs are now on Facebook, so you can keep up with what the other sled heads are doing in your area or on the other side of the state.

It is true that as the older members age and are unable to groom and maintain trails, new members are needed to help maintain Maine's reputation as a premier snowmobile destination with some of the best trails in the Northeast.

Even if you only have one day a year to volunteer to groom or clear brush, the time is greatly appreciated. And, if you are doing the work with fellow snowmobilers, it's just one more way to get outside and enjoy God's creation, whether the ground is brown or white.

Here are some upcoming holiday activities for clubs that may be located near you or a place where you love to go snowmobiling:

TODAY

• The Eastern Maine Snowmobilers will hold a Christmas party and club meeting, starting at 5 p.m. with the board of directors meeting, followed by dinner at 6 p.m., a general meeting at 7 p.m. and the party at 8 p.m., featuring a gift exchange. The festivities are being held at the clubhouse, 263 Levenseller Road, Holden. For more information, visit www.EasternMaineSnowmobilers.com.

• The Ashland Snowmobile Club is hosting its Christmas party at 4 p.m. at the Aroostook River Fish and Game Club. There will be a potluck dinner and a Yankee Swap (please, spend no less than $5 per gift). If bringing a child, bring a gift wrapped and tagged with his or her name. For more information, call Doug Chasse at 435-6782.

TUESDAY

• The Jefferson/Nobleboro SnoPackers are holding their annual Christmas party and potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. at the DLWA Office. Bring a covered dish and a $10 wrapped gift for the gift auction. Visit the SnoPackers snowmobile club on Facebook for more information.

Cathy Genthner is the owner of River Bluff Camps, located off ITS-83, and is licensed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to guide snowmobile trips.