46 | Snowmobile VERMONT Club News Tweed Valley Travelers  The season of 2018 has started off as one of the best seasons in a while. We had some early snowstorms that gave all our trails a heavy blanket of fluffy snow. Having that amount of snow early in the season gave the trails a great base. As the snow continues to fall, the groomer operators have been super busy trying to keep up. They are doing a great job and the trails are really shaping up. Due to the freezing rain we had early in the season, the club wants to warn riders that a lot of the trails have low hanging branches. We want riders to take caution and, if possible, help out by cutting down a few of the low hanging branches. The club is super happy to have the trail through the valley back this season. We want to thank the landowners again for working with us to make it possible. The hope is that the temperatures continue to stay on the cooler side and we don’t lose any snow. Hopefully, all of you have been out taking advantage of the amazing trails and will continue to as the season carries on. Ally Martin, Club News Correspondent  tweedvalleytravelers.com  Like us on Facebook Sno-Bees of Barre We are off to a great start to the season with snow on the ground when the trails opened, which is a little different than the last two years. Early season riding has been great and the trails are shaping up quite nicely. What I have noticed is that there is a lot of debrushing that needs to be done. This requires a considerable amount of labor to get accomplished. If each member would dedicate a couple hours, this is something that could get done next summer and fall. As members, we have to remember that in order for us to ride, someone has been preparing the trails. Next summer and fall, step up and volunteer for the club. The task gets a lot smaller with more people involved. I would like to take this time to thank our sponsors who contribute to our signboard each year. This is a major fundraiser for the club and patronizing these businesses is our way of saying “Thanks!” This is a project that has grown each year and has been a great financial help. Thank you, sponsors, for all that you do to support the Sno- Bees.  Mike  Perrigo, President snobees.com  Like us on Facebook   The Sno-Bees encourage riders to support local businesses with their on-trail signboard. WASHINGTON COUNTY Barre Town Thunder Chickens Our 18th Annual Travis Mercy Skate Park Fundraiser, hosted by the Barre Town Thunder Chickens and the Mercy family, will be held on Feb. 17. The meal location will be at the Barre Town School. There is a preceding poker run with snowmobilers arriving at 12–12:30 for the meal, silent auction and quilt raffle. A pulled pork and barbecue chicken meal will be prepared by Randy Henry and the Racing Chefs. Skate park supporters are welcome to drive directly to the event, purchase a poker hand there for $5, or just partake in the meal and auction. The meal is $10 per plate, $5 for kids and under 5 is free. Snowmobile poker run registration is from 8:15–9 a.m. at Vermont Traveler’s Center next to Applebee’s. The run leaves around 9 a.m. Snowmobilers can also ride in directly to the main event. Look for an event sign from Corridor 14B between junctions WN 7 and WN 116. There is a temporary spur through Northern Power to access the school. This year’s Quilt, again made by Lulah Lavery, is called “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” If you can’t make the event and would like to purchase raffle tickets, contact us at btthunderchickens@gmail.com and we can coordinate. Cost is one ticket for $1 or six tickets for $5. More details about the event can be found on our website. On Saturday, Jan. 6, we said goodbye to longtime Club Director Gary Klinefelter. Gary was taken from us much too soon after being diagnosed with cancer. It was just a few years after he and his wife, Suzie, started their retirement journey together. Gary enjoyed many activities including snowmobiling, golf, woodworking and spending time with family and friends. His sense of humor was always welcomed at meetings, events and trail projects and his memories will remain with those he touched along the way. Gary was an engineer and land surveyor, so naturally when our club needed a map, Gary was the man. He also worked with VAST to ensure that our club and Washington county had up- to-date information, such as corridor numbers, hotels, gas, food and other conveniences in our region. When VAST initiated the “modern” junction sign that was being standardized, Gary spearheaded revamping our 14 junctions, obtaining accurate information, working with the print shop on design and improved our setup process itself. A change of hardware and location of some junctions allowed us to leave the