BrooklineSnowmobileClub.com » Club News

The Bridges Are Back!

jenglish — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:18:21 +0000

The “big” news for the club is that 8+ bridges (of various sizes) have been replaced and/or repaired on our trail system and things are looking good! The warm, dry weather helped with this accomplishment but a MAJOR effort by our great volunteers is what made it happen. Please read the minutes from our last meeting for more details. There certainly is something to be said for this small community which works together to get things done. GREAT work, members.

Two other items: The Poker Run is scheduled for Saturday, February 11th at 10 a.m. (Change in date in hopes of getting some good snow) Snow or no snow, we will be getting together for some fun and food, so please come to Osgood’s Field and join in the fun. On Saturday, February 25th (rain date, Feb. 26th), at noon at Osgood’s Field, we will have the Fred Robinson Scholarship Fund Steak Cookout. ALWAYS a good time with great food, raffles galore, all for just $12. Remember to bring your own eating utensils and an appetite!

SNOWMOBILE SAFETY COURSE – Dec. 17, 2011

jenglish — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:32:40 +0000

Jim and Chris Rogers and Nelson King will again be giving a free snowmobile safety course on Saturday, Dec.17, 2011 @ Newbrook Fire Dept, Newfane, Vt. The class will begin at 9 a.m. but it we recommend you arrive a bit early. Pre-registration is required. Students MUST BE 12 years of age or older, on or before April 15, 2012 to receive certification. Certification is required by law for all young snowmobile drivers. Lunch will be provided by the Brookline Snowmobile Club and the Grafton Outing Club. Please call Jim or Chris for information, 802-365-7951. Class is limited to 20 and will fill up quickly. Let’s make snowmobiling SAFE AND FUN! (And many thanks Jim, Chris, and Nelson for again doing this!)

Beginning Plans for This Riding Season

jenglish — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:27:52 +0000

We recently had an Executive Board Meeting and there are a few things to report:

1) Donald has decided not to run for re-election for President this year, so we are in need of a replacement. If anyone has an interest in this position, please get back to me by November 5^th.

2) Our first meeting of the year will be on Saturday, November 5^th, at our cabin on Murdock Drive at 7:30. If anyone needs directions, just let me know. Lots to discuss and decide including electing officers, drawing for volunteer TMA’s, setting up the rest of the club meeting schedule, discussing what else needs to be done to get our trails back in shape, etc.

3) Our Fred Robinson Steak Cookout is scheduled for Saturday, February 25^th of next year and the Poker Run will be held on Saturday February 4^th. The Safety Course will be held tentatively on Saturday, December 17^th, 2011. (We’ll get back to you when that is a sure thing).

4) We will be having a work party on Saturday, October 29^th, at 9 a.m., meeting at John Eye’s house, 409 Grassy Brook Rd., Brookline. The main purpose of this work party is to get the bridges behind John’s house back in shape, or at least start the project. This is our VAST Route 35 and if we are to continue getting grooming funds from VAST, we need to get this trail open. If you can come to the work party, please call April at 802-365-9444 or email her at adjgraves@yahoo.com and let her know so we’ll have an idea of how much help we will have. Four-wheelers, tractors preferably with winches, prybars crowbars, hammers, chainsaws etc., will be needed. BOTH bridges were washed away in Tropical Storm Irene, however most of the decking can be salvaged once the bridges are removed from the brook.

Irene Unleashes it’s Wrath on Trail Bridges

rsamuelson — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 13:28:02 +0000

As most of you know by now, Southern Vermont experienced record flooding in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene. At least three of our major bridges over Grassy Brook (Two on the Rt 35 Corridor behind John Eye’s house, one which had just been refurbished less than a month ago, and one behind Nelson Fontaines house) no longer exist. Grassy Brook overflowed it’s banks in a big way and just took the bridges with it. All of these bridges were at least four feet above the normal brook level.

RT 35 BRIDGES BEHIND JOHN EYES HOUSE (GRASSY BROOK)

The attached pictures shows the refurbished Rt35 Bridge before and after. You’ll note in the after picture it’s completely gone. The other bridge (the more substantial one) collapsed into the stream bed. It appears that most of the decking from both bridges can be reclaimed but a new main support system across the stream bed is needed in both instances.

HILL RD LAND BRIDGE

There is a washout just before the land bridge on Hill Rd across from the former Judd Property. Additionally the eroded riverbank has narrowed the trail considerably in some spots. This could serve to compromise one of our most popular local trails.

OTHER AREA’S

Additionally there are likely to be other area’s that may need attention as well. Hopefully club member’s have made their way up towards Rink’s Camp and beyond into the Parker’s Landing Area to survey the damage.

The Murdock Trail at least from Taft Road down to the English’s seems to be virtually intact with only a few small trees down.

WORK PARTIES

The Club will need an unprecedented effort this fall by all it’s member’s if we hope to get the trails in rideable condition before the snow flies.

VAST ANNUAL MEETING

The 2011 VAST Annual meeting is scheduled for Saturday September 24th from 9-5 at the Middlebury High School in Middlebury Vermont if anyone is interested in attending.

The most significant agenda item this year is the proposal to raise the cost of all TMA’s by fifteen dollars. VAST was able to keep the cost of last years TMA’s the same by tapping into Reserve’s. Decreasing TMA sales along with increasing Trail related costs (Construction, Grooming, etc.) are the main culprits. See the VAST summer Newsletter for the full Agenda and a discussion about the items.

See you on the Trail

GREAT TURNOUT FOR THE STEAK COOKOUT – (posted Feb. 27, 2011)

jenglish — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:30:36 +0000

Our annual Fred Robinson Scholarship Fund Steak Cookout was held yesterday, Feb. 26th, and might have had a record turnout! We actually sold out of our 100 steaks and then sold most of the hamburger meals that were available. Our 50/50 raffle along netted about $200 for the club, not to mention sale of the steaks and the prize raffle. ALL of these proceeds will go to our scholarship fund which will help a young person from our area to attend college. Again, good job Ruthie and company! And thanks for all the volunteers who helped make this a success. Take a look at the pictures…….click here.

ANNUAL FRED ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND STEAK COOKOUT TO BE HELD ON 2/26/11 – February 14, 2011

jenglish — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:01:43 +0000

Just a reminder that the annual Fred Robinson Scholarship Steak Cookout is scheduled for Saturday, February 26th (rain date, 2/27). This event begins at noon and is held at Osgood’s Field on Hill Road in Brookline. For a mere $12, you get a delicious grilled steak, baked potato, fried onions, baked beans and a variety of desserts. Just bring your own eating utensils and beverages, possibly a lawn chair AND your appetite! We have a huge raffle during the day as well as a 50/50 raffle. ALL proceeds go for our scholarship fund which assists a local youth in their college costs. Please come and support this wonderful community effort. There is plenty of parking available for both snowmobiles and cars. Hope to see you there!

Click here to learn about Fred Robinson.

POKER RUN BIG SUCCESS! – February 9, 2011

jenglish — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:30:25 +0000

Our first “possibly-annual?” Poker Run was held on Saturday, February 5th and was a huge success. About 65 people braved the cold and snow and showed up for a great time. First place prize was $150 and was won by Marina Barrett who had the best poker hand; second prize was a $50 gift card and won by David Meeks; third prize was a $25 gas card and won by Bob Bush. Food was sold and a 50/50 raffle held. When all expenses are figured in, we’ll announce our profit which will be donated to Newbrook Fire and Rescue (see minutes of next meeting coming up in March). Thanks to everyone for volunteering and making this such a big success! To see two pages of pictures of Poker Run, click here.

POKER RUN SCHEDULED – February 5, 2011

jenglish — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:30:43 +0000

Saturday, February 5, 2011 - POKER RUN!!   Our club will be hosting a “new” event this year – a Poker Run! It will be held at Osgood’s Field (West River Stables) on Hill Rd., Brookline. There will be room to park snowmoible trailers, so if you can’t ride in, come anyway!
          This Poker Run will begin at 10 a.m. with sign-ups until noon.   The last sled out will leave by noon. There will be a total of five stations to collect your cards and the event will end and results announced around 2 p.m.   There will be prizes as well as a mileage pool.   Food will be available for purchase.
          The cost for the run is $10 per hand and extra cards can be purchased when the ride is over.   Proceeds benefit Newbrook Fire and Rescue.   If there isn’t eough snow to ride, an alternate run will be held. Please come and support this excellent community cause and have fun while doing so!

SNOWMOBILE SAFETY COURSE – 12-18-10

jenglish — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 01:17:10 +0000

We are pleased to tell you that Jim and Chris Rogers have again offered to teach a snowmobile safety course this season. It will be held at the Newbrook Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, and will begin at 8:30 a.m. The course will last about six hours and lunch will be provided.

Participants MUST BE 12 or older on or before April 15, 2011, in order to take the test and receive certification. There is a hefty fine for those operating a snowmobile without a certficate showing they have successfully completed a snowmobile safety course.

The class size is limited and fills up quickly, so sign up early. You can pre-register by calling Jim or Chris at 802-365-7951.

Again, a big thank you to Chris and Jim for offering to do this. Our club just has the BEST volunteers!

UPDATE: December 19, 2010 - Twenty-four young riders were certified in our Snowmobile Safety Course yesterday! Great job and have a safe riding season all!

2010 MEETING DATES

jenglish — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 12:19:14 +0000

Dec. 4th, 7:30 p.m. – at Donald and Sheila Gokey’s house, 226 Grassy Brook Rd., Brookline
Please try to be there.

March 5, 2011 – 7:30 p.m. – at Bob Samuelson’s house, School Marm Lane, Townshend. Last meeting of the year to finalize charitable contributions from our fundraisers.