44 | Snowmobile VERMONT Club News Chester Snowmobile Club For those of us who ride in the Chester area, the opening of the riding season was very disappointing. Rain and warm temps prevented our ability to ride the local trails. Santa surely did not deliver on our wish list. Hopefully, by the time you read this, snow has arrived in abundance. Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped to clear trees and debris brought down by the rain and wind in early December. It was unfortunate since we had all our trails in great shape prior to the bad weather. We recently voted to make our annual contribution to David’s House, which houses the families of patients being treated at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. On Jan. 5, we held our annual business meeting, followed by our Christmas potluck dinner. About 30 folks enjoyed a wonderful buffet and the comradery of other snowmobilers. February will be a very busy month for us as we have we have our Valentine’s Day bonfire and Poker Run both scheduled. Next issue we’ll let you know how they both went. Be sure to check out our club page on VAST’s website or our Facebook page for event info. If you buy your regular season or 3-Day TMA online through the VAST website be sure to choose Chester Snowmobile Club or buy yours at one of our sales agents. Chester Hardware, Benny’s Power and the Stone Hearth Inn are all located in Chester. For our southern members, stop into Enfield Motor Sports. Ride with your friends and family, have fun, and be safe. Think snow! Joan Choiniere, Secretary vtvast.org/chester-snowmobile-club.html Like us on Facebook Chester Snowmobile Club members gathered for the club’s annual business meeting and Christmas potluck dinner on Jan. 5. Little Ascutney Snowmobile Club I just got back from a 50-mile ride on some great groomed trails. Something that I noticed this year, more than others, is the amount of logging going on in our area. Please be careful out there and keep an eye out for skidders, dozers and logging trucks. I was also able to try out some of our new bridges and many new bridges on our neighboring club’s trails. I am always amazed how so few volunteers are able to get these projects completed. The new signage looked great too. We still plan on having our Trail Social Ride-in, barbeque and bonfire. It will be held in March, so look for more details to come. Last year was our first and we had a great turnout. We are looking forward to a repeat. We are encouraging all riders to keep their hands on the handlebars. No more count downs and last rider hand signals. Personally, I have used a communication safety light system for many years so I hope that will catch on. Green light means no riders behind and amber light means more riders behind. There are several systems out there, so let’s hope we see more of them on the trails. Our groomer is back from the shop and up and running. We replaced just about the whole drivetrain and rebuilt our drag. Thank you to Wayne and Janet for your many hours smoothing out the bumps and filling in the gaps. Our secondary trails are now on the new VAST map and we are finishing up GPSing them. I think the trails will get a good workout this year with the detour in Cavendish. As always, thank your landowners, stay right, stay on the trail and think Snow! Kevin Barnes, Secretary Like us on Facebook Little Ascutney Snowmobile Club has installed new posts and intersection signs this year.