b'Club Newsyet, do a snow dance!Up-to-date trail reports are available at www.chittendendammers.org or through Amy Carrs Instagram or the Chittenden Dammers Facebook page. Meetings will continue to be held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the South Lobby of the Mountain Top Inn.North Country Mountaineers made a donation of $10,000 to Northeast KingdomSave the date! On February 16, the Learning Services. (L -R):Co-Chair of Clubclub will be hosting a ride to the Clear Fundraisers Yvonne Mandeville, ExecutiveRiver Tavern for dinner (weather Director of NEKLS Michelle Faust, TreasurerChittenden Dammers Jody, Bobby andpermitting). Meet at the sand pit at Gloria Willis, and President George St. Onge.Jason enjoy early season conditions in4:00 p.m., and we will head over Chittenden. Mt. Carmel for a get-together at the Clear. Please respond to info@chittendendammers.org with the will be used by bikes in the summer,number of people in your party or for offering an all-season bonus. To groomfurther information so we can make this area, we acquired a side-by- reservations. Hope to see you all there. North Country Mountaineers side and put a retired drag to work.Ride smooth!The grant supports $20,000 of ourCharlie Robbins On Dec. 10, the North Countryexpenses, with the remainder beingchittendendammers.org Mountaineers made a donationcovered by the club. Like us on Facebookof $10,000 to Northeast KingdomIrene Farrar, Secretary Learning Services (NEKLS). Thenorthcountrymountaineers.com Mountaineers have long beenLike us on Facebookcommitted to fostering a strong sense of community in the Northeast Kingdom. Our support reflectsRUTLAND our belief in the work of NEKLS to empower individuals throughCOUNTY Shrewsbury Sno-Birdseducation, enhance access to opportunities, and inspire lifelongWe finally were able to open the trails learning in a welcoming and inclusiveunder caution on Jan. 18. This is the environment. latest weve ever had to wait, due to Weve also committed to supportingwater bars installed by the state that both Lake Regions and North Countrywe felt were dangerous. Weve been Union High Schools scholarshipChittenden Dammers out with the Tucker and started filling programs for graduating seniors. OneIts January 20, and we are into ourthem in. That was an interesting trip, thousand dollars will be awardedsecond week of early-season riding inbut we got lucky and didnt have to to two students, with preferenceChittenden. Conditions have not beenwinchIm not sure why. Lets hope given to those who have volunteeredperfect, but we are riding with decentwe get more snow, this time with for a local snowmobile club to helpsnow in higher elevations. somebody to it. Well be working with strengthen and extend enthusiasm forthe state to smooth out these water outdoor recreation. Graduating seniorsThe new Prinoth groomer has beenbars so we dont face the same issue can apply through their guidanceexcellent, with the steel-cleated track,next year.departments. as opposed to the fragile rubberI want to thank all snowmobilers ones on our old unit. Paul Racinefor being patient while we were Our project with the Vermont Outdoorhas continued to work his magicconcerned for their safety! The club Recreation grant is aimed at enhancingalong with Kurt Hathaway, who iscontinued to remove downed trees the Causeway Bridge in Newport withnow training to drive the groomer.and conduct inspections after the a railing (including benches) to divideTheyve done well with the limitedseason opened, even when our trails snowmobile traffic from pedestrians.snow available. Thank you to thesewerent fully open. Thank you all for This will allow snowmobiles safeguys, along with Trail Master Richgoing above and beyond to keep our access into downtown Newport.McCoy. We look for snowier daystrails open.The railing is installed, and deckingahead to complement the excellent was started last November. Weathercold temperatures. After all, its onlyWe are also working on getting hampered completion of the deckingJanuary, and we remain optimistic foreverything together to replace a until spring. The snowmobile lanesome real snow. Think snowor better50-foot bridge on 4 and 7. It will be 22 | Snowmobile VERMONT'