N E W Y O R K S T A T E S N O W M O B I L E A S S O C I A T I O N
M A R C H 2 0 2 0 NEW YORK SNOWMOBILER O N L I N E
RIDE NY TRAILS ABOUT MEMBERSHIP EVENTS SAFETY
2020 Educational Forum/Annual Meeting Postponed Page 7
Photo by Jon Smith NYSSA Online Magazine
The Official Publication of the Contents New York State Snowmobile Association P.O. Box 740 Central Square, NY 13036 www.nysnowmobiler.com 03 President's Message By Rosanne Warner 2019-2020 Officers President Rosanne Warner 06 From the Desk of the [email protected]
Executive Director Vice President By Dominic Jacangelo Edward Zalar [email protected] 08 Trail Coordinator Report Secretary By Jim Rolf Kelly Grammo [email protected] 12 Two Hands are Better than Treasurer One John Occhino By Dominic Jacangelo [email protected]
13 What our family LOVES Staff Executive Director about snowmobiling Dominic Jacangelo, 888-624-3849 x104 [email protected] By Tina Bartucca
Trail Coordinator 14 Meet New Rochelle Chevy Jim Rolf, 888-624-3849 x102 [email protected]
18 Sights of the Season Office Manager Jennifer Senf, 888-624-3849 x101 [email protected] 19 Boondocks Restaurant By Lee Hinkleman Membership Helpline 888-624-3849 x103 20 End of the Season [email protected] By Dusty Ramsey
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 1 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 2 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
President’s Message: State of the Association by Rosanne Warner, NYSSA President 315-697-8130 [email protected]
Attention all vintage snowmobile enthusiasts, WE NEED YOUR HELP!! As many of you are aware, for the past ten years, the New York State Snowmobile Association has tried to get legislation passed to reduce the registration fee for vintage sleds. We have had success several times getting proposed vintage registration bills passed in the State Senate, but the bill has never had any success in the State Assembly where it gets hung up by the Assembly Transportation Committee. NYSSA Government Affairs Committee worked with Park Strategies, who represents NYSSA as our contracted lobbying consultants, to draft a new vintage registration bill. The bill has been picked up by twenty- two assembly members. WE NEED YOUR HELP to get it passed by calling or writing to your assembly representative and ask them to pass A7405. The proposed bill would decrease registration fees on all snowmobiles 1980 and older to $15.00 with a club membership. Five dollars of the fee will go to New York State and the remaining $10.00 will go directly into the Trail Fund! This change will save money for all vintage sled owners who want to ride the trails as well as sportsmen who use vintage sleds to ice fish, hunt and trap. By including the club membership requirement, the fee for registration and membership combined for one snowmobile would be $45.00 and any additional vintage registration would only be the flat $15.00 fee. Currently, vintage snowmobile owners pay either $100 for each sled or if they are a club member the fee is $45.00 for each sled. The passing of this bill could encourage new and younger riders into the sport, as vintage sleds typically cost much less money to purchase and insure. These snowmobiles make great starter snowmobile for anyone just entering the sport because they are so affordable!
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Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 3 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
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This is a drastic saving for snowmobile owners who typically put very few miles on their sleds and provides them with great member benefits like a free $4,000 life insurance or $2,000 dismemberment policy from NILICO and discounts which can be found at the NYSSA website: http://nysnowmobiler.com/membership/member-discounts/ Member discounts are available on a variety of items including car rentals, cruises and travel packages, car insurance, snowmobile insurance, driver educations classes, vacation rentals, lodging (New York & Yellowstone), camping, Ambit energy, American hearing Gifts.com, New York Yankees, Personal Creations, Proflowers, Shari’s Berries, Snowtrails TV, SuperTrax, TireBuyer.com, Impact Global Industries, Whiplash Sports, snowmobile tours and the Whirlpool Jet Boats in Niagara Falls, NY. Please help the vintage and sportsmen community by helping us make enough noise to get this initiative finally passed into law! To find your representative’s contact information, please follow the link: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/ To view the full text of the bill click here
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 4 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine Thank you to everyone that has donated to the Trail Defender Fund this month
P CRAMER JR. J FITCH
There are three ways to donate to the Trail Defender Fund
1. Donate $20 to Trail Defender at the time you renew your club membership on-line. 2. Mail a check (please put Trail Defender in the memo line) to NYSSA, PO Box 740, Central Square NY 13036. 3.Donate using PayPal Click Here
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 5 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
From the Desk of the Executive Director By Dominic Jacangelo, Executive Director [email protected] 888-624-3849 x104
If you are like me, you are not feeling good about this year’s snowmobiling season. I went to take a look at the snowfall in Syracuse and they were running 2ft behind their norm the first week of February. The average is 10ft of snow over the season. In the first week of February, they were at 69 inches. We are coming up on March 18th and the ground for all of the state except a few small exceptions is as brown as the bark of a tree! There may be a trail here or there that still has snow on it, but the riding experience can’t be good. I was supposed to close out my riding this year with a trip to northern Vermont to meet with several other state and provincial snowmobile associations to talk about issues of common interest. It looks like the Coronavirus has taken a toll on that meeting also. Even though there may have been snow in some areas, there is no doubt that low snow takes its toll on the sport. Binghamton averages 80 plus inches of snow in winter. They got 20 in December, but nearly half of that came in the first days of December and quickly melted away. While many of us ride where snowfall is measured in feet and not inches, it is those outlying areas like Binghamton that drive registration totals. No matter how much we trailer our sleds around, there are still many people who like to ride from their yard. This was by far not the worst year either for snowfall, registrations or membership. The snow will be better next year. A decent year always seems to follow a year like this. Snowmobilers are the eternal optimist. What else can explain our proverbial attitude that next year will be better than this year? PS. I could not find a snowfall number for Binghamton. If you have one, send it to me.
Enjoy your spring, summer and fall. Volunteer where you ride.
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 6 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
The 2020 SLEDNY Educational Forum and NYSSA Annual Meeting has been postponed. The scheduled date is June 5-7, 2020.
Anyone who paid a registration fee may request a refund or have their fees applied to the new date or to a new registrant from the club or organization. Please call Jen at the NYSSA Office at 888-624-3849 ext 101 or email at [email protected] if you require a refund of fees.
Register NOW $80 for Full Forum until April 30th $120 for Full Forum May 1st-May 21st Register before May 22nd http://nysnowmobiler.com/membership/sledny-forum/
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 7 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
Trail Coordinator Report by Jim Rolf, NYSSA Trail Coordinator 888-624-3849 x 102 [email protected]
INTERACTIVE WEBMAP ALL clubs/towns should be editing their trails to be shown as CLOSED unless there truly is rideable snow left on a trail or two in the Adirondacks or Tug Hill. If your club’s trails on the NYSSA Interactive Webmap are still showing OPEN right now, BUT they are indeed CLOSED, please have your selected Webmap Editor(s) go into the system to change the trail status, please. Thank you! https://webapps2.cgis-solutions.com/nysnowmobile/ . Save that link to your phone and computer bookmarks, but for clarity sake, know that it only works when you have Wi-Fi or cell service. The NYSSA Mobile APP works in OFFLINE MODE though.
THE NEW YORK STATE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION MOBILE APP Obviously, the season is over, especially for the NYSSA Mobile APP purchases standpoint. With the shortened season due to low snow or even NO SNOW conditions in some areas around the State that hurt our APP sales. While it was still successful, there will be updates for next season that will make the APP even more user-friendly and include many of the suggestions users submitted to our APP vendor, CorsonGIS. Thank you for those emails. Also, for those that have been inquiring about…we are still looking to work with the Town of Webb & Inlet Tourism offices to include their “permit-only trail system” into our APP. IF we can work out a deal for that partnership, it would be a separate “layer” within our APP that users wishing to view those permit-trails would have to CLICK to open up. The permit-only trails there would be a different color than the rest of the trails on the APP too.
The Google link to the APP is: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cgissolutions.nyssa2019 The Apple link is: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nyssa-snowmobile-new-york/id1490691682
TRAIL NEWS
Fatal Accidents So Far This Season We have had 9 (nine) fatal snowmobile-related accidents in NYS this year. 4 (four) of them were on official snowmobile trails, with 3 of these unfortunate accidents being on frozen or partially frozen bodies of water and the remaining 2 occurring on a road or in a private field. Snowmobile trail safety messages need to be targeting by clubs all across the State and adhered to by all snowmobile riders next season and into the future: Please be safe while out riding, understanding that it is not a race to get to the next stop as we want to see each and every one of you back out enjoying the trails again for years to come. We also need to remind everyone that there are many families out on the trails, and we should all respect one another while constantly thinking that “someone could be coming around the next curve”, so each rider needs to be in total control of their own sleds and consider the icy trails too. Most importantly, do NOT drink and drive…save those legal adult beverages for when the ride is over and you are back at your own home, camp, or motel/hotel room where you are safely able to go back out to ride again. Thank you!
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 8 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
Club/Landowner/Trail Damage Issues There was a VERY SERIOUS situation that occurred in WNY last month, involving an assault by a rider (upset about what he was told regarding running an illegally modified and loud exhaust) of a landowner/volunteer/ club officer right on a snowmobile trail. We can NOT allow anything of this sort, especially to a longstanding representative of our trail system! The SLEDNY Board was alerted to this issue, and after hearing from that club’s representative at our Board meeting on March 8th, they voted to start a fund with a $1,000.00 REWARD for the arrest and conviction of the person who committed this assault. The Snowmobile Clubs of Chautauqua County also voted to pledge an ADDITIONAL $1,000.00 to that award fund, bringing the REWARD to $2,000.00 now! Thank you to the Chautauqua Co. clubs and SLEDNY Board members for stepping up with this gesture! Anyone with information on the individual who assaulted the volunteer on Sunday, March 1st 2020, at approx. noon is asked to contact the Wyoming Co Sheriff’s Dept right away. See the Press Release on the incident and contact info here: http://videonewsservice.net/index.php/2020/03/06/wyoming-county-arcade-sheriffs-office-looking-to-identify- snowmobile-operator-who-assaulted-a-snowmobile-club-member/? fbclid=IwAR2zmYTm9mInnvzHwnTSZhZVs5oPzUocj_xOEJDKg1-BiprVDMCxzBoptIQ As a reminder to those riders who intentionally run down trail stakes and/or remove/vandalize snowmobile trail safety signs on/along the trails, there is a NYS Parks Law against the intentional damage of snowmobile trail signs. That section of Law is found here for everyone’s knowledge: Please don’t remove or damage signage on the snowmobile trails which the club volunteers work so hard to place for
“NYS Parks Law Title D Section 25.23 (2) Duties of snowmobile owners and operators. It is recognized that snowmobiling is a voluntary activity that may be hazardous. It shall be the duty of snowmobile owners and operators: (i) Not to willfully remove, deface, alter or otherwise damage signage, warning de- vices or implements, or other safety devices.”
all of our use AND are there for everyone’s safety!!! Hand Signals This “debate” is one that has gone on over the years between those who CHOOSE to use them for their own reasons, and those that think that removing your left hand off the handlebar for a second or two is dangerous. The NYSSA Safety Committee had taken this subject on a few years back, supporting a stance that using the “Hand Signals Countdown” was not safe and to do away with it. After a little debate and discussion on this topic at this month’s Board meeting, the Safety Committee again brought that safety stance up to the entire Board for a “position statement”. There were some comments on the action, and after a Board vote, I am proud to announce that NYSSA is taking the position of “Don’t use the COUNTDOWN HAND SIGNALS! It is much safer to keep your hand on the handlebars than to alert oncoming riders of how many others are riding behind you in your group”. Most times, there are others riding in groups behind the group where the last rider gives the “closed fist = last rider in group” hand signal. Many times riders seem so intent on giving a hand signal with the “countdown” fingers that they are not in full control of their own sleds doing so. It is much more important to remain safe and in control of your own snowmobile than to signal oncoming riders. Look for an official NYSSA poster and promotion of this stance next season. The longstanding snowmobile hand signals for left or right turns, slowing, stopping, stay right, etc. is what the international snowmobile community has always promoted, with the understanding that IF you feel uncomfortable removing your left hand from your own handlebars for any reason, OR you are in a trail situation where yours and other rider’s safety could be at stake, DO NOT remove your hand at all. RIDE RIGHT: stay right, riding like there’s always another snowmobiler coming around that next corner and be prepared for defensive driving. BE SAFE!
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 9 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
STATE LAND NEWS
Adirondack Rail -Trail News The Remsen -Lake Placid Travel Corridor Unit Management Plan (UMP) Final Amendment will be on the Adirondack Park Agency’s agenda for their March meeting. We will report what occurs on our Facebook page and on our website in the NEWS section.
Warren/Saratoga/Essex Rail Line News
As reported the past couple of months, the Warren Co. clubs were able to work successfully with their county officials to be able to run the unused rail line now that the train is done, approving snowmobile use on 58 miles. The next steps, hopefully, will be the removal of the rails and ties in a timely manner to make this a multi-use, rail-trail, awaiting the official abandonment of the Essex County portion of this line by the Federal Railroad Administration to the State.
Legal Proceedings Brought Forth by PROTECT! The Adirondacks We have not heard more official news on PROTECT’s “tree cutting: timber definition” lawsuit and the State’s appeal of that decision…just that it is working its way through the Court process. Stay tuned for more on lawsuit!
Courtesy of Scott Thompson’s Facebook page
Join a club, wherever you ride! SLOW DOWN! Enjoy the ride…safely!
CLUB VOLUNTEERS…NEVER ENOUGH OF THEM!
THINK! You are an ambassador of this sport! .
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 10 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 11 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
“Two Hands are Better than One” By Dominic Jacangelo
Have you heard that Vermont has done away with hand signals indicating sleds following or not?
Now New Hampshire DNR is pushing the same message. Keep both hands on the handlebars unless you are using one of the approved hand signals for turning, slowing or stopping. I know that many of you can handle giving a countdown signal, but I also have seen many struggle to do so in a turn. That statement right there is why countdown signals are not a good idea.
YELLOW= (CAUTION) Lets on-coming Riders know GREEN=(Last Rider) Lets on-coming Riders know you have additional riders behind you on the trail there are no additional Riders in your group
I do not use countdown hand signals. I have a RAD LIGHT on my sled from ROCZTOYS.com. Put it on yellow for when someone is following and green if you are the last one in the group. Not perfect, but better than taking your hand off the grips. Easy to install and easy to take off when you don’t want to leave it on your sled. Please do not debate me on this. Snowmobiling happened for many years without countdown hand signals. It will continue to do so in the future without them. If you must use them, be sure you have complete control of your sled and please not in a turn. It would be nice to meet but not in that way! My recommendation invest a few dollars and can the countdown signals. Remember only you push that throttle, so think when you are riding and stay safe!
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 12 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
What our family LOVES about snowmobiling… By Tina Bartucca
We love being together and spending quality family time with no electronics enjoying the scenery of the beautiful outdoors and the snow-covered apple trees (as we live in the 3rd largest apple producing county in the Nation, here in New York State, just after Washington State)! Many of our trails go through these beautiful orchards and also has some AMAZING views of Lake Ontario (see photos below of Lake Ontario in the background).
Our Local Williamson Driftriders Snowmobile Club was founded in 1974, one of the oldest in New York State!!! It has an average yearly membership of over 400 members, 47 miles of trails, 3 groomers and their efforts include trail creation and maintenance (they have many faithful volunteers that do an OUTSTANDING job on grooming the trails), landowner relations (we wouldn’t be able to ride without their permission), and a variety of social events and fundraisers. Williamson Driftriders has a lot of hardworking volunteers and is VERY family oriented. Some of these events include Breakfast and an Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny and Breakfast with Santa Claus!!!! The Williamson Driftriders Snowmobile Club is well known for its annual fall Vintage sled show and BBQ. Sled owners from all over New York State come to compete and show off their “old iron”…and they make the best BBQ Chicken in Western New York!!! This year was the Club’s first annual “Snow off Day”… where families rode from all over to enjoy the delicious food and listen to a local band while the kids had fun outside having snowball fights and building snowmen…Good old fashion fun with fresh air and snow, (in which more kids need these days)!!!! Mia and Hudson say their favorite part of snowmobiling is riding to dinner with their friends Brea & Chase (photo of all 4 below at our first annual “snowmobile bash”. Many of our “play dates” are getting together with other snowmobiling families and riding to our local Pultneyville Deli for lunch and on adult ride days we are lucky to have our local Embark Brewery, here in Williamson, New York. One of our favorite rides from home to dinner approximately 60 miles round trip is to Skipper’s landing restaurant, which is right on Sodus Bay, one of the deepest and safest inlets on Lake Ontario (see picture below of the beautiful view from Skipper’s Landing. I think what we all love the most about snowmobiling is watching the kids have fun riding around the backyards together with their family and friends!!!
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 13 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine MEET NEW ROCHELLE CHEVROLET
New Rochelle Chevrolet is pleased to announce that we have become an official business sponsor for the New York State Snowmobile Association. We are excited to be able to offer the over 70,000 members of NYSSA our automotive expertise in both sales and service. Located in southern Westchester County, New Rochelle Chevrolet has built its reputation with a customer first attitude...We are Conveniently Located On Main Street In New Rochelle "Absolutely Committed To Your Satisfaction" and each and every member of our team has been empowered to make sure this commitment means our customers receive the best in sales and service.
Our mobile heavy duty lift system
New Rochelle Chevrolet opened its doors in 2008, under the direction of Executive Director Frank Endress, and quickly became the fastest growing Chevy dealer in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Today, New Rochelle Chevrolet sells more than 2,000 vehicles a year with over 78 million dollars in annual sales. Our staff of 65 dedicated professionals are here to help with all We can customize trucks to fit your business your sales, service and parts needs. Continued on page 15
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 14 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
Continued from page 14
We feature one of the largest commercial and residential truck divisions in the area. New Rochelle Chevrolet is perfectly positioned to be a great resource for NYSSA members who are looking for a new vehicle for trailing their sleds or servicing their current GM vehicle to help give them worry free driving. We offer a complete line of full-sized Silverado Pick-ups, the mid- sized Colorado, and the all new Silverado HD truck line- up. New Rochelle Chevrolet is The largest Chevy truck dealer in Westchester also the leader in the Northeast with the largest inventory of Low Cab Forward trucks along with our extensive Commercial Truck Division. We have recently added a mobile heavy-duty lift that can easily service trucks up to and over 52,000 pounds. And don't forget that we also offer the full line of Chevrolet Cars and SUV's with over 450 new and pre-owned vehicles in stock.
New Rochelle Chevrolet is proud to offer special pricing on all our Chevrolet vehicles to active and retired military, as well as all our first responders…we know you’re not in it for the recognition, and that just makes you all the more deserving. Because you put so much on the line when you go to work, we’ve created a discount to be there for you when you need it. The GM First Responder Discount gives Firefighters, Police, EMTs, Paramedics and 911 Dispatchers special pricing on eligible, new Chevrolet vehicles. It’s our way of saying thanks for service that makes all the difference.
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 15 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 16 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine Welcome Our New Business Members
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 17 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine Sights From the Season…….
View of Honeoye Lake looking North from Harriet Hollester Photo by Jon Smith Spencer Park Photo by Scott Wohlschlegel
View of Salmon River Falls in Orwell Photo by Ray Senf
Photo by Tina Bartucca
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 18 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine Boondocks Restaurant By Lee Hinkleman Boondocks Restaurant (and their Adirondack themed Lodge, The Edge Motel and Resort and Convention Center) is a snowmobilers dream. Park the sled at the lodge, walk across the parking lot for a great meal, and you have the perfect place to eat and ride. The Farm House Burger was smothered with a garlic- onion cream cheese then covered with sautéed onions and homemade potato sticks. Developed by Matt our server and Justin the cook (on a slow day) they have created a masterpiece of meat. It was beyond what I anticipated. The Cabin Steak Burger was a basic burger with lettuce, tomato and red onion. The meat was juicy and cooked to perfection. I sampled the home made wing sauce they developed for their “Wing Challenge”. It was hot while still flavorful lacking the chemical taste so many off the shelf hot sauces have. Eat 10 wings in 7 minutes and you win.
The have added a few things on the new menu. New is the Scalloped Scampi sea scallops. They are sautéed in garlic butter and a white wine sauce. It’s is then served over linguini. Burger choices have increased as well, such as the (highly recommended) one I had today. Boondocks offers an Adirondack setting complete with a waterfall, and small stream running through the Restaurant, and of course a tree. Take this unique décor with a casual atmosphere while serving a wide range of foods, and you are in Foodie Heaven. Fresh Salads, Burgers, Pasta Dishes, Sandwiches, Appetizers, Seafood, and Steak. 14 Drafts on Tap. And Copper Island is the house wine.
** They have added a massive hall suitable for small conventions, weddings and retreats. ** They are located on Route 12 in Lyons Falls and can be reached at 315-348- 4040.
Suppliers include Sysco, U.S. Food Service, and Red Barn Meats to name a few. Burgers are “Stockyard” brand.
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 19 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine End of The Season By Dusty Ramsey
We, the Franklinville Snow Sled Club officially shut down our trails as of today (March 16, 2020). All signage has been removed, sorted and put into summer storage.
This is Trail C3 looking west from Rt. 16.
Our oldest bridge is now scheduled for a total overhaul starting on Friday. This will not affect anyone's ability to get in another ride, with the upcoming weather forecast for our area. Higher temperatures and rain are all that is forecast for as far as any of the services are willing to go. Additional reasons for this are that area farmers are already entering their field, so it is not as safe as it could be, and doing the necessary work now gets these expenses entered into this year's accounting. Many clubs in our area are going to be in dire straights otherwise.
The Brown Rad bridge rehab project. The railings, ski guides track mats (rolled up at the far end of the bridge) and the 2x6x10 ware gone. The 2x6x12 will stay in place as they are only two seasons old. Everything else will be brand new.
This is the earliest we have closed our trails in our entire history, which dates back to the mid-1960s. As far as personal rider miles for our normal riding group, this was the next to the worst season since we got together in the 1980s. The 2011-2012 season was the worst with about 500 miles. The 2015/2016 season was actually the worst with most of our friends barely managing 300 miles, but we were fortunate enough to have already arranged a pilgrimage to Michigan's UP and were able to add 1100 additional miles to our sleds. We ended up having to come home two days early due to rain or it would have been nearly double that, so even that was far below our expectations. This season we were fortunate enough that what little bits of snow we did get lasted more than one ride for a total of just under 900 miles. As usual, we could have doubled that if we were allowed to ride in December in our area, this has always been and still is our snowiest month.
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 20 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop!
I tend to be a very optimistic person. I always look at the glass as half full. But issues in the Adirondack Park are starting to crack my mental fabric. Thirteen years after the Snowmobile Plan for the Adirondacks was completed, only one new community connector trail has been built. At every turn, construction has been frustrated by lawsuits. We care because upwards of 37% of every snowmobile ride is taken in the Adirondack Park. Several legal and admin- istrative events are near the forefront of causing us all concern and attention. 1. The NY Appellate Court has ruled that several community connector trails were unconstitutional in that they cut too many trees. Simple put they ruled that DEC needs to count every tree in their review of a project. That tree count includes seedlings, saplings, and everything that grows up from the ground. According to the court, every- thing is “timber.” 2. When plans for a snowmobile trail in the Essex Chain of Lakes parallel to the Hudson River was advanced several groups sued saying it violated the Wild Scenic & Recreational Rivers Act (WSRR). The State won the first round, but now the case is being appealed to the Appellate Court. 3. A bridge over the Cedar River is what makes the Five Town Recreational Hub work providing a loop of trails from Indian Lake to Newcomb back to Indian lake. Once again, groups have challenged the bridge saying that snowmobiles can’t be used across that bridge because of the WSRR. 4. Any week now the State is expected to come forward with a new UMP amendment for the Travel Corridor from Big Moose Station to Lake Placid. Every indication is that they will once again attempt to overlook the section of corridor from Big Moose Station to Tupper Lake and not consider removal of the rail from that section. Consider- ing #1 above that Travel Corridor is going to be vitally important to snowmobile travel in the park. Past promises of alternative trails in that section don’t seem valid in relation to how successful the state has not been in building new Community Connector Trails. The NYSSA Board of Directors has made a decision to fight for our right to ride. They have committed the Trail De- fender Fund to pay for the legal work that will be needed to fight for our right to ride. Later in this magazine, there is a story about Trail Defender. Use this year’s membership renewal to become a Trail Defender. Donating $20 or more is a small price to pay for the right to ride. Over the next several months, you will be asked to do more than to make a donation. You will be asked to put your pen where your mouth is. Over the next couple of months expect to see “Action Alerts” asking you to contact various officials to make your feelings known. We are looking for those who rode the Gooley Club’s trails to make a state- ment regarding their past riding. It may be useful to establish ongoing use of the property by snowmobiles. The other day I wrote a response to what one person wrote about the Snowmobile Plan for the Adirondacks. The fol- lowing sums up my assessment of where we are today: “Tens of thousands of acres have been purchased by the State with the promise of multiuse trails for use by many different outdoor recreational enthusiast including mountain bik- ers, equestrians, cross country skiers, snowmobilers and anyone who would like to use these trails. …(Green) groups got what they wanted, but what did the snowmobilers get? Only one Class II (Community Connector) trail has been created, that being the 7th Lake Mountain Trail. “ Our success will be measured on how well we can change the balance of that equation. Changing the outcome to date will take all our involvement.
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 21 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 22 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
Business Member Listing Dealers, Parts and Accessories Dealers, Parts and Accessories Restaurants/Food Bechard Farm Equipment Leisure Time Power Sports Daiker’s 593 Rapids Road 729 East Columbus Ave 161 Daiker’s Circle Champlain, NY 12919 Corry, PA 16407 Old Forge, NY 13420 518-298-5381 814-664-4606 315-369-6954 www.bechardfarmequipment.com www.leisuretimepowersports.com www.daikers.com
Bibbens Sales Service 3282 E Brutus St Rd Moody’s Excavation and Recreation, LLC The Georgetown Inn Weedsport, NY 13166 7450 Main Street 970 NY-26 315-834-6500 Newport, NY 13416 Georgetown, New York 13072 www.bibbenssales.com 518-761-9616 (315) 837-4800 www.moodyspolaris.com https://www.facebook.com/thenewgeorget owninn/
Big Moose Yamaha Inc Pilot Knob Marina 5511 NY-28 655 State Route 149 Newcomb Café and Campgrounds Eagle Bay, NY 13331 Lake George, NY 12845 5575 NYS Route 28N 315-357-2998 518-761-9616 Newcomb, NY 12852 www.bigmooseonline.com www.pilotknob.com 315-688-2627
Tuggers Grill Bar and Campground DDS Motor Sports Pioneer Motorsports 544 State Route 177 2100 Oriskany Street W 12220 Olean Road Copenhagen, NY 13626 Utica, NY 13502 Chaffee, NY 14030 www.tuggersny.com 315-792-4660 716-496-6000 www.ddsmotorsports.com www.pioneermotorsports.com
Don’s Polaris Inc. Redline Recreation 278 Moose River Trail 9130 Brewerton Road Old Forge, NY 13420 Brewerton, NY 13029 315-369-3255 315-345-2927 www.donspolaris.com www.redlinerecreationny.com
Fun Unlimited SLEDTRACK 2068 NY Rt 812 115 Allen Road Gouverneur, NY 13642 Port Crane, NY 13833 315-287-4144 www.sledtrack.com [email protected] Smith Marine Po Box 558 Ingles Performance Old Forge, NY 13420 413 Besaw Road 315-369-9911 Pheonix, NY 13135 www.smithmarineagain.com 315-598-7422 www.inglesperformance.com Waite Motorsports Jim Coast Sales and Service 18014 Goodnogh Road 626 Main St Adams Center, NY 13606 Duke Center, PA 16729 315-583-5680 814-817-6565 www.waitemotorsports.com https://www.jimcoastsales.com/ Woody’s International 6054 N Meridian Road Leisure Time Powersports Hope, MI 48628 46 Foster Brook Blvd 989-689-4911 Bradford, PA 16701 www.WoodysTraction.com 814-362-7426 www.leisuretimepowersports.com
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 23 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com NYSSA Online Magazine
Business Member Listing
Mountain Grooming Equipment Lodging Po Box 324 Waitsfield, VT 5673 Real Estate Charlie’s Inn 802-496-3836 44 Junction Road www.mountaingrooming.com Herron Realty Lake Clear, NY 12945 PO Box 1158 518-891-9858 Old Forge, NY 13420 Rentals 315-369-6910 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlies- Inn/152428841476719 www.herron-realty.com Adventure Powersports 108 Forge Street Old Forge Camping Resort Thendora, NY 13472 Mapping 3347 State Route 28 315-36-5398 Old Forge, NY 13420 https://snowmobileoutfitters.com/ Trakmaps 315-369-6145 9045 Cote De Liesse 202
www.oldforgecamping.com Doval, BC H2p2m9 Village Rentals Inc www.trakmaps.com 2886 State Route Shaheens Adirondack Inn Speculator, NY 12164 314 Park Street 518-548-7533 Signs Tupper Lake, NY 12986 www.villagerentalsny.com 518-359-3384 Voss Signs www.shaheensadirondackinn.com PO Box 553 Manlius, NY 13104 Tailwater Lodge Manufacturer www.vosssigns.com 52 Pulaski St Altmar, NY 13302 Arctic Cat 315-298-3434 601 Brooks Ave Other www.tailwaterlodge.com/ Thief River Falls, MN 56701 ILsnow.com (Informative website) www.arcticcat.txtsv.com PO Box 21 Indian Lake, NY 12842 The Edge Hotel BRP/Skidoo www.ilsnow.com 3952 State Route 12 565 Rue del la Montagne Lyons Falls, NY 13368 Valcourt, Canada 315-348-4211 www.ski-doo.com www.theedgehotel.com Insurance Polaris 2100 Highway 55 Allstate The Historic Hotel Broadalbin Medina, MN 55340 https://www.allstate.com/ 59 West Main Street www.polaris.com Broadalbin, NY 12025 https://www.historicbroadalbinhotel.com/ Trailers Yamaha Motor Corporation Trout House Village Resort 418 Stump Road Fisk Distributing Inc 9117 Lakeshore Drive Montgomeryville, PA 18936 1274 N Lyndonville Road Hague, NY 12836 https://yamaha-motor.com Lyndonville, NY 14098 www.trouthouse.com 585-765-2466
Waters Edge Inn 3188 State Route 28 Old Forge, NY 13420 www.watersedgeinn.com Check out their new video Groomer Equipment Top 5 Reasons You Should be Maintaining Your Snowmobiles Traction Mohawk Industrial Works 140 Carey Road https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYJuT0pu_Ho Queensbury, NY 12804 518-480-3095 In the spirit of corporate giving, BITEHARDER www.mohawkindustrial.com will contribute 10% of each sale from a NY Rider
back to NYSSA. In turn, NYSSA will dedicate those funds to the Trail Defender Fund.
Contact NYSSA: PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036-0740 * EMAIL - [email protected] March 2020- Page 24 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com As the unified voice for NY Snowmobiling, NYSSA works year-round to promote the sport and protect the trails needed for winter enjoyment. NYSSA is recognized and accepted in Albany, across the state, and nationally as the organization that represents the rights and needs of New York’s snowmobilers.
NY Snowmobiler Publication Dates:
PO Box 740, Central Square, NY 13036 888-624-3849 / Fax 888-317-2441 Mar 18, 2020 E-mail: [email protected] www.nysnowmobiler.com May 28, 2020 July 22, 2020 September 2, 2020
NYSSA Calendar of Events SLEDNY Educational Forum & Annual Meeting June 5-7 2020 The Oncenter Syracuse
May 16, 2020 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Theodore’s Restaurant Board meeting at 1 pm. Canastota July 11, 2020 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Theodore’s Restaurant Board meeting at 1 pm. Canastota August 22, 2020 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Theodore’s Restaurant Board meeting at 1 pm. Canastota
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