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The Harvard Press has launched a series of articles spotlighting local organizations. Each article in this series will feature a Q&A with a representative of a local organization. The idea is to inform readers about what organizations are in town, what they do, and how to get involved. If you would like your organization to be featured, please contact the editor at editor@harvardpress.com or 978-456-3700.
This week we're featuring the Harvard Snowmobile Club.
Organization name: Harvard Snowmobile Club
Q&A with Joe Gibbons, board of directors
How would you describe the group?
We're a fun group of local guys, girls, and families with a common interest of participating and promoting the sport we love, snowmobiling.
What are the purpose, mission, and/or goals of the group?
Purpose: To create an environment where members can share their enthusiasm for this sport with each other through monthly meetings, club outings, cookouts, trail rides, community service, and, most importantly, protecting, preserving, and maintaining the beautiful trails throughout Harvard.
Mission: To promote our sport through safe, fun, and responsible riding and to respect the privileges that have been extended to us by the landowners.
Goals: To maintain improve and groom the trail system so that everyone, including skiers, snowshoers, walkers, joggers, bird watchers, and horseback riders can use these trails during the winter months.
To reach out to the general public here in Harvard to help them understand that snowmobiling can be a fun and safe sport for all, and that local snowmobilers here in Harvard volunteer hundreds of hours, money, material, and equipment to keep the trails open and safe for everyone..
What would you most like people to know about the group?
We would like people to know that everyone is invited to come and participate with our club. We are local guys, girls, and families looking to have some good clean winter fun! If you like the outdoors and spend time on the trail system here in Harvard, whether you’re a dog walker, skier, etc., etc., come join us! Not all our members drive snowmobiles.
We are also a registered nonprofit organization with the state of Massachusetts.
When was the group formed?
1969. We are 42 years old this year.
Is there a history of the group? What brought the group together?
Back in 1969, when snowmobiles were first sold for public recreation, a group of Harvard guys got together and decided to improve and create a trail system. The original meetings back then were held at the lower fire station in Still River. Thanks to guys like Allen Feltus, Bill Mead, Rod Smith, and Ken Harrod for their vision that has lasted for more than 42 years.
Are there memorable moments, interesting stories, or events that you would like others in town to know about?
A somewhat recent topic of interest for our club was the purchase of an actual trail groomer and drag system. For several years our membership lobbied and pursued a state grant so that we could provide the same quality of trail in the winter months that the towns out in western Massachusetts enjoy. Literally more than a thousand hours of manpower and some considerable donations of funds and equipment were donated by club members in order for this to happen. If you managed to get out on the trails last winter, I am certain you got to see the fruits of our labor. Enjoy it!
Who may join?
Anyone in town can join; you do not have to own or even ride a snowmobile. Club membership is $25 for the season. If you do own and want to operate a snowmobile, it must be registered in the state of Massachusetts and you must have a trail pass from the Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts. You can purchase a trail pass at our meetings or visit Toreku Tractor at the Ayer rotary and they can sell you a trail pass and map.
Who might be most interested?
Anyone who loves the outdoors or the trails around our town. The club is very supportive to new riders and those that are new to the sport.
When and where does the group meet?
Our group meets once a month at the Harvard Fire Station at 7:30 p.m. Meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month from October through March.
Who are the contacts for the group for general information and or membership?
Tony Shaw, 978-456-3527, tony@toreku.com
Joe Gibbons, 617-460-1239, gondoladivenezia@aol.com
Does the group have a web site?
We are working on it, but as of now we do not. You can find us on the Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts website at www.sledmass.com, where you can learn a whole lot about snowmobiling in Massachusetts.
Are there activities planned for this year?
Yes, we are very active, especially when the snow falls. In addition to our regular monthly meetings, we have club rides, cookouts, trail clearings, grooming rides, a turkey dinner before the holidays, and a steak dinner at the end of the season. We also travel as a group most years for a high adventure ride in the Adirondack Mountains in New York state. We also visit other trail systems in western Massachusetts and participate in Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts activities.
—Questions written by Sydney Blackwell
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| Members of the Harvard Snowmobile Club pose in front of their trail groomer at a cookout last winter. (Courtesy photo) |