36 | Snowmobile VERMONT Club News RUTLAND COUNTY preparations. Then when the trails opened, along came the warm-ups and the rain. We lost just about everything we had. As I write this news report, we have received much needed snow and we are again on the run. Hope everyone is out enjoying the snow. One of the big changes in our trail system this year is the addition of the new 911 road crossing signs. These signs display road names, town location, VAST route number and local club. These will be a big help locating the accurate point of evacuation for any emergency. Many other clubs have also adopted these signs and we hope all clubs will do so. This is proof that your local clubs and VAST are working to make Vermont trails the best groomed, best signed and safest trails in the Northeast Snowbelt. We also have a GPS unit in our groomer so you can follow our grooming operations on the interactive VAST map. An important reminder: Please stay on the trail! Many clubs have been dealing with trails lost because of off-trail riding. We see snowmobilers with mountain sleds or new crossover sleds riding our trails. Everybody has a right to ride what they want, but don’t think because you have bought one of these that you can ride it anywhere you want. The only legal riding area is on the marked trail. We need the cooperation of all snowmobilers to keep our trail system intact. Stay on the trail or stay home! Snowstormers memberships and TMAs available at Bob’s Quick Stop in Irasburg or from our secretary. Call 334-6179 for an appointment. Until next time, ride right, ride safe and use some plain old-fashioned common sense. Gloria Rodrigue, Secretary orleanssnowstormers.com Like us on Facebook The Orleans Snowstormers have installed new 911 road crossing signs. Chittenden Dammers Well, we have had a slow start this year after two decent early seasons. This one has been a bit sluggish to get going. The weather pattern seems to be changing for the better, so no reason to get pessimistic at this time. As a matter of fact, grooming just commenced as of Jan. 9 with a foot of nice heavy stuff. The Dammers big event at the Mountain Top Inn took place Jan. 13 and it was a roaring success! About 140 people were in attendance for the prime rib buffet dinner and silent auction. Thanks to Amy Carr and Jody Casey for planning and chairing this event that was to honor landowners and help raise funds for a new groomer. Thanks go out to numerous folks who teamed up to make this event one to remember. A “Dam Good Time” was had by all! We are thankful that Gwen Racine is on the mend from medical stuff back in November. We are looking forward to seeing Gwen back out on the trails. Gwen and Paul are strongholds in Chittenden, along with Trailmaster Doug Todd, keeping us riding smooth. By the way, if anyone is interested in the grooming operation we are always in search of riders who have an interest in becoming groomer operators as well as other club volunteer opportunities. We have two annual club rides this winter. The first was a dinner ride to The Clear River Tavern on Friday, Jan. 21. The second will be to The Swiss Farm in Pittsfield on March 3 for breakfast. We will meet at the Dam parking lot at 8 a.m. and head over the mountain then probably do a ride after breakfast. These have been fun events and a good chance to meet some fellow club members. Don’t forget to keep up with the Dammers at our website for up-to-date trail conditions. Our meetings are the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m at the Mountain Top Inn Tavern. Ride safely and “ride smooth!” Charlie Robbins, Treasurer chittendendammers.org Like us on Facebook The Chittenden Dammers’Dam Good Time was an elegant and successful first-time event.