FROM THE PRESIDENT:
 We are looking forward to a good year of snowmobiling!   We have not scheduled any trail work    parties as yet, but will soon.   Please contact the Trail Coordinators to offer your help and check our website  (www.brooklinesnowmobileclub.com)  on a regular basis for scheduled work parties.   We will also be emailing this information to those with computers.  Now let’s hope for lots of snow!! 
 
 VOLUNTEER TMAs:
 Each year VAST gives our club reduced rate ($25) “volunteer  TMAs”.  To qualify to be in the running for these, each club member must have put in 15 hours of volunteer work for the club in  the last 12 months.  Attending club meetings counts toward this eligibility.  This year we had 28  qualifying people and the following names were drawn for the reduced rate TMAs:   Richard  Anderberg, Bernie English, Fred Warren, Lee Severance, Nelson Fontaine, Janet English,   Charlotte Fontaine, Sheila Gokey.  If any of these people do not wish to accept this TMA, please notify Sheila so she can give one to the runners-up.

 SNOWMOBILE SAFETY COURSE:  
 Jim Rogers and Chris Duke have become qualified to hold snowmobile safety courses for our members.  Their next course will be on Dec. 15.  It will be 6 hours long and lunch will be provided by our club.   All members born after July 1, 1983, are required to have a safety  course certificate.   There is a hefty fine for driving a snowmobile without this certificate.   Please call Jim or Chris at  802-365-7951 for information and to pre-register.  There is limited space and will no doubt fill up quickly, so call now.    A big THANKS to Jim and Chris for taking on this very important job.

 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE:
 Sheila Gokey  is once again our membership chairwoman and this year Kendra Brooks has agreed to help her with the work load.  You are ENCOURAGED  to send in your membership request by mail, but if you need to call, Sheila’s number is  802-365-7012  and Kendra’s number is 802-365-4415.   Please note that if you purchase your TMA after Dec. 15th, the cost increases    significantly, so try and get your forms in early.  A detailed explanation of these new VAST rules are attached with the membership information which is being sent out to all members. 

  MEETINGS:
  Dec. 1 at Bob and Kay Wistrom’s house , 99 Derry Lane, Townshend (first house on the left), 7:30   p.m.
  Jan. 5 – Donald & Sheila Gokey’s, Grassy Brook Rd., Brookline, 7:30 p.m.
  Feb. 2 - Nelson &  Charlotte Fontaine’s, Grassy Brook Rd., Brookline, 7:30 p.m.
  Mar. 1 – Ruthie & Fred Warren’s, Hill Road, Brookline, 7:30 p.m.
  April 5 – Joe & Gayle Juhasz’s, Higgins Hill Rd., Townshend, 7:30 p.m.

FROM THE PRESIDENT:
There have been a number of concerns expressed by landowners in the Townshend Acres area which could put our trails in jeopardy.  It seems individuals with ATV’s have been using our snowmobile trails.  Not only have they torn up some areas but have hassled the landowners with obscene gestures and remarks.  This type of behavior cannot be tolerated.   I’d like to remind you – we have been granted the use of their property for snowmobiles only.  The trail through this area is one of our main corridor trails & gives us access to other parts of the state.  Remember – in order to use an ATV on private land, you must have permission from the landowner.  I encourage EVERY club member to put out the word that this has to stop.  RESPECT THE LANDOWNER AND THEIR LAND!!

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE:
Sheila Davis has been our Membership Chairperson for many years.  She has expressed an interest in getting assistance this year with taking phone calls and filling out membership & TMA forms.  If anyone thinks they can help, please call Sheila at 802-365-7012 and she’ll let you know how you can be of assistance. 

VOLUNTEER TMA’S:
It was determined that there were 26 volunteers eligible for a reduced-rate ($25) TMA.  Eligibility consists of 15 hours of service in the last year.  This year’s volunteers are:  Nelson  & Charlotte Fontaine, Daryl Graves, Mike Winot, Daisy & Richard Anderberg, Ruth Warren, Bob Samuelson, Tom Brooks, Debbie Pierson, Lee Severance, John & Pat Eyes, April Wellman, Donald Gokey, Sheila Davis, Bernie & Janet English, Joe Juhasz, Billy Statts, Colin Nystrom, Buster Dowley, Josh Fontaine, Mike Fontaine, Judd Zyskowski, John Morrison.

VAST gives us 9 Volunteer TMA’s – these  names were drawn:  Bob Samuelson, April Wellman, Joe Juhasz, Colin Nystrom, Judd Zyskowski, Janet English, Ruth Warren, Josh Fontaine, & Donald Gokey.

The rest of the eligible volunteers will receive a free club membership.  IMPORTANT:  If your name was drawn for a Volunteer TMA & you don’t plan on purchasing a TMA  this year, please notify Sheila right away & a runner-up will get that $25 TMA.   Also, you must get your Volunteer TMA prior to Dec. 31st.  After that date, runners-up  in the drawing will be given the Volunteer TMA’s. 

MEETINGS  & EVENTS:

DECEMBER 2 at 7:30 - Club meeting at Bob Samuelson’s house on School Marm Lane, Townshend.

JANUARY 6 at 7:30 -  Club meeting at Fred & Ruth Warren’s house on Hill Rd., Brookline.

FEBRUARY 3  at 7:30 – Club meeting at John & Pat Eye’s house on Grassy Brook Rd., Brookline.

FEBRUARY 17 at noon – Fred Robinson Scholarship Fund Steak Cookout – NEW PLACE – at Osgood’s Field, Hill Rd., Brookline.

MARCH 3 at 7:30 – Club meeting at Joe & Gayle Juhasz’s house on Higgins Hill Rd., Townshend.

APRIL 14 at 7:30 – Club meeting at John & Pat Eye’s house on Grassy Brook Rd., Brookline.

Our club website is up and running:

www.brooklinesnowmobileclub.com

Check it out!  If club members want to sell snowmobile items, let Janet know the details via email and she’ll post it on the website.