b'VAST DirectionBy VAST Executive Director Cindy LockeVERMONT ASSOCIATIONIts hard to be excited about ourand how important it will be to makeJust writing that fills my eyes with season coming up when there is asure we have a mask to put on whentears. But I know a big part of their resurgence of COVID-19 all aroundwe stop at a junction, parking lot,safety is also that they limit the amount us. The holidays are just not going torestaurant, etc., where others are alsothey go out and only do so wearing a be the same, either. But we all have apresent. I think about all the clubsmask at all times.responsibility to keep ourselves andthat cannot hold in-person events thisSo, for all of our sakes, please be others safe, so following all the publicwinter when they rely on these eventscareful and please, please wear a health rules and guidelines is a must.for additional funding and comradery.mask when in the presence of others! Wearing a mask has proven over andI think about all the people who haveWe have guidelines on our website over that it helps to stop the spreadlost their job because of the pandemic.that we will continue to update about of COVID-19 and even the regularI think about all the families tryingCOVID-19 and riding in Vermont seasonal flu. While the number of folksto balance all these changes, such asthis winter. Lets get through this refusing to wear masks may be goinghaving kids in school part time orthe best we can so that we can keep down, we have learned that it onlydoing remote learning. I think aboutriding in the future and enjoy the takes one person to infect many othershow we cannot visit our aging lovedcompanionship we all love that has so - sometimes with death as the result.ones who we miss and who miss us. much to do with our great sport.Wearing a mask is not political; its aI got to see my 82-year-old mother for matter of health and safety. I realizetwo hours last week for the first time that there are folks who, for variousin a year. When I returned to VermontStay safe and be well,health reasons, cannot wear a mask,from the quick trip to Connecticut to but that is much different than thosesee her, I quarantined for two weeks. who simply refuse to wear one. I have not seen my 86-year-old father This pandemic has certainly affectedsince May of 2019. I pray and cross my us, resulting in new ways of working,fingers and toes that they will be safe playing, seeing family and friends,and healthy this winter and that I will etc. I think about this coming winterget to see them again in the spring. Get a Grip!Hands on for safety!Removing your hands from the handlebars while riding is unsafe.VAST discourages the use of countdown hand signalsVermont Association of Snow Travelers26 Vast Lane, Barre, VT 05641802-229-0005 www.vtvast.org'