November 2006 - Newsletter Sponsored by Barre Electric 

Greetings!

As I sit here typing away at my computer, we have already had a couple of dustings of snow and hopes are high for the upcoming season.  Snowmobiling is the ultimate sport in terms of gambling.  We invest in trails, grooming equipment, clothing and accessories and of course the snowmobiles themselves and it all comes down to the whims of Mother Nature.  Of course all thoughts of the risks we take with these investments vanish with the first ride on a cold moonlit night on glass smooth trails.  At times like these snowmobiling does not seem like a gamble at all and are the reason we so willingly make all of the investments.  Let’s hope for more of these perfect rides for the upcoming season. 

Safety Course  

The Thunder Chickens along with our neighboring club the Sno-Bees of Barre will be hosting a safety course at the Barre Town Elementary School on Saturday, December 2, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Pre-registration is required and participation is limited to 40 students.  Lunch will be provided.  Remember, Vermont law requires that all riders born after July 1983 and are over 12 years of age, and certified in order to operate a snowmobile on the VAST trail system.  Please contact David Rouleau at 1-802-371-1279 for more information or email safteycourse@barretownthunderchickens.com

 Trails 

Our crews of volunteers have been out regularly since the end of last season performing routine maintenance on the trail system.  As of this time about 80 % of our trails have been marked and signed.  So far (knock on wood) there have only been minor re-routes to deal with and most of our resources have gone towards bridge upgrades and working with landowners to ensure that the trails are located as conveniently as possible when crossing their land.  As always, we would like to extend a grateful thank you to all of our landowners.  Without them there would be no trail system.

 Christmas Party 

The Thunder Chickens will once again be hosting a Christmas party open to all club members.  This party will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Lower Graniteville on Thursday, December 14^th at 6:00 p.m. The meal is pot-luck and there will be a special visitor for the children.  To register, please contact Janelle Anderson at  aussiesinvt@verizon.net .  Remember to include the ages of any children planning on attending so that Santa can bring appropriate gifts.

Snowmobile Raffle

Our annual fundraising raffle was held Friday, November 3^rd at the Canadian Club in Barre.  Raffle participants were treated to a great meal of roast pork, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and of course the rolls and salad that the Canadian club is so famous for.  We would like to thank Bond Auto, Gilles Sales and Service, Barre Electric and T&J’s Sled Shop and Landscaping for donating additional prizes that helped make the night a success.  In addition to the prizes donated by the companies listed above, Anderson Finishing Company has donated a granite birdbath that we will raffle off to benefit the Travis Mercy Memorial Skate Park.  Tickets are still available for $10 and the winning ticket will be drawn during our annual Poker Run in early February.  At the end of the night Brent Gagne walked away the proud owner of a 2007 Polaris 500 XCSP. 

 

 
 Club Meetings

 The Thunder Chickens meet on the second Monday of every month at the Caesar’s Fare restaurant in South Barre.  The restaurant is located in the former Jockey Hollow off of Rt. 14 (road and trail).  Meetings start at 7:00 p.m. and are scheduled for the following nights:

TMA’s 

TMA's have arrived!  The cost of a T.M.A. has remained the same this season at $80 for Vermont residents and $110 for non-residents.  Both fees include club and county dues of $15.  Make sure to purchase your TMA early this year.  Al l TMA’s purchased prior to December 17th and received at the VAST office by January 5th will be entered into a drawing with the grand prize being a brand new snowmobile of your choice from any manufacturer!  There will be many other prizes awarded as well.  You can purchase your TMA from the following Thunderchicken partners: 

                             (See Below)
TMA's can also be acquired by filling out the attached form and mailing back to us with a check.  We will process and mail out your T.M.A upon receipt.                                 

can also be acquired by fTMA's illing out the     ed form and mailing back to us with a check.