March April May 2012
Newsletter
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OFFICERS: Daniel Stysh, President; Robert Ely, V.P.; Liz Miller, Treasurer;
----------------- George Capron, Rec.Sec.; Elizabeth Haig, Corr.Sec./Editor;
DIRECTORS: Anthony Albanese, John Bailey, Mark Devins, Michael
----------------- Howard, John Pfeiffer, Christopher Taylor
Contacts: Stysh 942-4749; Ely 397-2068; Haig 942-4464;Pfeiffer 942-2431
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----------------- EARLY RENEWAL HELPS TRAIL FUNDING

CLUB NEWS: Needless to say, it was a short and lousy snowmobile season. Which is why this Newsletter is late in coming out, there was really nothing to write home about. Memberships were way down,(250 less than last year) which meant that source of income was down, not doing grooming (only made 1 and ½ trips) so that knocked down our trail funding, new maps were out, but no one was here to buy them, another source of funding eliminated. Sounds like we are crying the blues, but the truth hurts. So our reason for silence, is that we have been trying to lean back and regroup. One positive point, we didn’t burn much diesel fuel grooming, so that expense was curtailed.* * The usual amount of time was spent opening the trails, making repairs, installing signage, brushing, re-routing some bad spots, checking out new landowners when parts of the trail got closed, fixing various groomer repairs, fixing the barn roof (it developed a leak)- or rather fixed half, the other needs it, along with various and sundry tasks.
**On this note, we would like to make a comment. We had several complaints about “not grooming” …seems people wanted to ride from Boonville up to the Hill like always. We were heavily criticized on different web sites. However, in our defense, at the Barn there was little to none of snow cover…even though there was enough snow in Highmarket to ride…we just couldn’t get there. So it was deemed feasible to not take the groomer out and do damage to it since there was no snow to groom until more than halfway to C’vle and West Leyden. We extend our apology for any disappointment we added to anyone’s winter fun.

During Christmas week, we did hear from the NYS Grant, to purchase a new groomer. Paperwork has been progressing on that end, and the groomer has been ordered – a new Pisten Bully Trail Bully – which should be delivered sometime in August/ September. We have now been advertising the 2003 Pisten Bully Edge for sale. We paid $85,000 for it, used it only one season with very few hours, and would like to get $70,000 for it but will negotiate. However, we will not give it away. We have been offered $50,000., but we still owe a good bit on it, and it does list for at least $70,000. so would like enough to pay it off and have some to pay our share of the new groomer. If anyone knows of somebody interested, have them call Dan Stysh 315-794-5154.

Concerning the lack of memberships, we realize people didn’t renew as they were waiting for snow. However, the $25 member fee goes a long way to paying for other debts that the club incurs – like land taxes, heating fuel, and barn repairs. Yes the barn needs repairs…land has settled and posts have sunk so that the lean-to addition doors cannot be closed…we need to excavate these corner posts, raise them up, and make everything work again. Another effect of low membership is that it may hurt the ‘high snow trail funding’. There is talk by the State of lowering the per mile fee by $150. This would drastically cut into our funding as we are in the ‘high snow’ area. Fuel costs are high, as you know, in season 2010-11 we spent approx. $10,950. for diesel and $2300. for heating, and that was a low-snow year, (not as low-snow as 2011-12), but not normal.

FUNDRAISING: As for the thousand + maps in our barn, we have decided to use this same map again next season. No trails have been changed and we don’t like to waste the maps even though it means we lose out on advertising fees – usually a good fund raiser. At the last meeting of the season it was voted to make use of the 11-12 maps. Our local businesses took a beating this past season so we’d like to help them out.

We did do fairly well with our Gas Raffle and have decided to try a money raffle with the drawing being done at the Snow Festival in January, rather than at Shootout. The cost of the raffle is $2. one ticket, $5. for three. We have included only one ticket ($2) but hope you will take three ($5). Send the one stub back with name, address, phone and we will fill out the remaining 2 if you decide to do the $5. If you need the stubs mailed back, please enclose a SASE for the mailing (name stickers would help too).

LANDOWNERS: Another topic discussed at the meeting was the Landowner Appreciation Picnic. With the lack of attendance at the last couple picnics, we tried to come up with another idea to show our appreciation to the Landowners. We decided to not hold the Picnic. We do give them full liability insurance coverage, and a free club membership w/voucher but are now working on a unique idea that will also benefit the Boonville businesses.

FORUM: The Forum held in Lake Placid this year was attended by two of our member couples, and 2 more singles on Sunday for the Annual Meeting. Most of the comments were positive, except for a snafu on the dinner and the lack of food. The food was there, it was just slow in being presented. The Super Raffle was held on Saturday evening and we thank all of you who participated (266 tickets sold) – we earned half of each $5 ticket. But we are sorry to say that none of our ticket sales won. A list of winners is included on the NYSSA web site and on ours. The 2012-13 Forum will again be held in Lake Placid.

DECALS: We have been discussing the expense of offering club decals with the membership. Each decal costs $.95 and from what we see and hear, most every member does not want to put the sticker on their sled. It is not mandatory, and it serves no purpose other than show you are a club member, which is good. We would like to hear from you as members, whether you prefer to keep the decals or dispense with them. We are also looking into other printing houses for a less expensive decal. You let us know your feelings by email at losttrailclub@hotmail.com, and will let you know what we find out on prices.

ACTIVITIES: We hope to put in an appearance at the Boonville Fair in July, by having a float in the Parade. And again in August at the Woodsmen’s Parade. As for the Shootout in December, there are rumors that it will be moved from Woodgate up to Old Forge, so that is still debatable. And of course, we will still be involved in Snow Festival next January/February.

SAFETY COURSE: We have tentatively scheduled our Annual Safety Course for Saturday, December 1 at the Elks Club. More on this later. Watch the web site.

VOLUNTEERING: It is becoming more and more important to have people sign up to help out the Club. There are a variety of jobs that require help throughout the year, maybe you are qualified to do the special ones that have to be hired out. If you are ever in or around Boonville and find a couple of spare hours give Dan (794-5154) or John (723-3033) a call. The well seems to be running dry. Summer Help is needed for: Drainage work around Barn; Barn posts, plus roof work; Reflective tape placed on 200 new trail markers; inventory & reorder signs; strip down two trailer frames for new bridges; strip down set of tracks & replace belting; PB#1 sprockets need to be taken off, stripped down and shipped for resurfacing. Fair + Woodsmen’s parades; man booth at Woodsman’s..need daily coverage..; Footwork on possible reroute on Port Leyden trail – move to get off some road-riding. CAN YOU HELP???? “Many hands make light work” (old proverb).
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I DON’T HAVE THE TIME!!!
I just sit at the bar I can tell what is wrong
on a nice soft stool with this club of ours
and shoot off my mouth and go on complaining
like a damned old fool. for hours and hours.

I say what I like What? Me attend meetings
and sure criticize are you out of your mind
and half of what I say of course I can’t be there
is nothing but lies. I DON’T HAVE THE TIME!!
Author Unknown

EARLY RENEWAL PRIOR TO DECEMBER 1 HELPS FUNDING CALCULATIONS



MEETINGS: Next regular meeting is Wednesday, September 12, 2012 – Pine Room, American Legion, Schuyler St., Boonville, NY, 7:00 p.m. Meetings are usually 1st Wednesday, but due to Labor Day, etc. this is 2nd Wednesday.