HAPPY LABOR DAY! THINK SNOW!
After a very hot summer and rain snowmobile clubs are returning to their club meetings and trail work. It is difficult to image that in a few short months we will have colder temperatures and snow.
Clubs have been using the PSSA mini-grant funds to improve the trails. Thank you to all our volunteers for their planning and work to make our trails safe. We cannot function without our volunteers.
The clubs will be informed of any remaining money in the grant program as always. In the meantime work to finish your projects and return your information to Lisa Vallimont. The remaining checks will be distributed as soon as all club project documentation is received.
Funds are scarce so clubs should plan ahead to make the best use of monies for future projects and equipment needs.
At the request of the State Legislature DCNR implemented an ATV Pilot project. The 2021 ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot area spans Potter and Tioga counties, but does not include the entirety of both counties. This project includes many townships, municipalities, state forest, joint-use roads, private property and limited snowmobile trails etc. As the size suggests this is a mammoth undertaking. Many meetings, research and forming partnerships with a diverse group of stakeholders was implemented by DCNR personnel. The project provides for comments from stakeholders and a report is due in 2023.
ATV riding opportunities within this pilot area are as follows:
• 208 miles of township roads currently open to ATV use
• 12 miles of PennDOT-administered roads newly open to ATV use
• 14 miles of state forest roads and trails newly open to ATV use
Please visit the ATV Pilot website for further information: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Recreation/WhatToDo/ATVRiding/ATVRegionalTrailConnectorPilot/Pages/default.aspx
A similar smaller scale format has been followed by clubs for many years. Now PSSA in cooperation with clubs and private landowners needs to go BIG. There are two areas in Northwestern and Central PA which could potentially benefit the smaller communities. Once the connections are made a snowmobiler could ride and connect with trails in NY, Ohio and PA trails.
Possible projects could include the following:
• Connect the ANF trails with the Kinzua Bridge trail, Lantz Corners, Smethport, Elk State Forest and beyond. The equestrian riders under the leadership of Carolyn Stroup have made it possible for snowmobilers to use the Kinzua trail. They deserve many thanks.
• Connect Western PA trails with the ANF trails and Elk State Forest thru Tidioute.The Corry Snowmobile Club has done extensive work in extending the trails in southern Erie and Crawford Counties. Thank you for your hard and dedicated work.
THANK YOU to all who bought tickets for the money raffle. The drawing was held at the beginning of the August Board meeting. Winners are listed elsewhere in the paper. Congratulations! If you missed the drawing it is recorded. Contact Kathy Woolever at the Palmyra Office for information on it. The volume of tickets showed the value of having a money only raffle. For those of us who did not win (I include myself in that category) WE donated to a good cause.
AS I mentioned in an earlier article the PowerSport Show committee went to work and developed a raffle that has something for everyone: $3000 in F@S accessories (check their website for ideas), three trips – two to Utah (winter months), one to Maine(any season), ATV (BRP) winner to make arrangements with BRP . This raffle has the most value of any raffles in recent memory. Buy your tickets or you cannot win. The more tickets you buy the more chances you have to win. Raffle prizes make great gifts. The Drawing will be held Sunday November 14, 2021 at F@ S Yamaha, Spring Grove, PA.
Remember these raffles replace the income from the canceled PowerSport Show.
If you have any ideas for fundraising events please send them to Norm Strotman Chair of Fundraising events at Norm.Strotman@northwest.com
I still believe in the following sign which someone gave me many years ago. It speaks volumes for the future:
Liz Krug, President PSSA
Note: All ticket returns should be sent to the Palmyra Office.
