The usual…
The meeting was called to order at 7:50. The minutes from the March meeting were read and approved and the Treasurer’s Report was read and approved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35.

Mark: Regarding the raffle sled, a discussion ensued about which sled to buy for this year’s raffle. All members voted to purchase a 2008 Yamaha Phazer GT with electric start and reverse. The rest of the raffle prizes will remain the same. Tickets will be mailed once they are ready.

Kevin attended the NYSSA Annual Forum in Niagara Falls and went to a number of seminars on grooming, trails, etc. Kevin has all the information from the Forum if anyone is interested in seeing it. A major issue arose about the state removing $1 million from NYSSA’s Trail Fund to cover a state budgetary shortfall, which NYSSA is trying to get reinstated. Kevin also announced that Mike Fischer is the new president of NYSSA.

Mark: Thanks to the election committee for all of their work this year. The elected representatives will get together with the Board of Directors over the summer to discuss revising the election rules.

Rick: Since this is the last meeting until September, if you want your raffle tickets before that meeting, e-mail Rick at Rbonita56@msn.com

Some Fabulous News...
Kevin announced that our own Anne O’Dell was named the NYSSA 2008 Snowmobiler of the Year!

The usual…
The meeting was called to order at 8:00.The minutes from the February meeting were read and approved and the Treasurer’s Report was read and approved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45.

The usual…
The meeting was called to order at 7:45.The minutes from the January meeting were read and approved and the Treasurer’s Report was read and approved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50.

The usual…
The meeting was called to order at 7:45.The minutes from the December meeting were read and approved and the Treasurer’s Report was read and approved. Mike Faggiolo won the 50/50 and donated it back to the club and the meeting was adjourned at 8:50.

The usual…The meeting was called to order at 7:45. The minutes from the October meeting were read and approved and the Treasurer’s Report was read and approved. John Spano won the 50/50 and the meeting was adjourned at 8:20.

Eric thanked all who helped with the successful clean-up of the trails. Maps are available and signage is up. Now we just need snow!

Mark reminded all riders to be courteous of non-riders you may meet on the trails. We want to ensure that we maintain a good reputation in the Stewart lands!

Kevin reminded everyone to register their sleds and to renew their memberships. He also has pamphlets available for anyone interested in learning more on how NYSSA distributes the trail funds. The 2008 NYSSA Forum will be held April 11-13th. For every 30 members, we get one delegate and we are able to vote on NYSSA issues, including the control and influence of the parks. This year’s conference is in Niagara Falls. If you are interested in attending, please contact Kevin.

Anne announced that a number of clubs are having club rides, including a Poker Run in Osceola/Tug Hill on January 25-27th and a Shawangunk ride in Tug Hill on February 22-24th. All information on these and other rides are on our website.

• Todd Weill won the 3rd Prize of $200
• Chris Dillon won the 2nd Prize of $300
• John Spano won $100 for selling the most tickets

The usual…The meeting was called to order at 7:55. The minutes from the last meeting were read and approved and the Treasurer’s Report was read and approved. Fred P. won the 50/50 and the meeting was adjourned at 8:50.

From Kevin: The administrative section of the NYSSA website is up and will help clubs obtain and organize membership information. Kevin reminded the club about the Snodeo on December 7th at Old Forge. This marks the kick-off to the snowmobiling season and a lot of manufacturers will be there with new products.

Also from Kevin: Greenwood Lake is having a safety class on December 1st for kids and adults and participants can also use the class to get a reduction in their snowmobile insurance. Shawangunk is also offering a class in November and the information is on our website – www.rocktavernsnoriders.com

This too from Kevin: Tug Hill is still suffering financially, and are down to a three times a week grooming schedule. On the NYSSA website, there are a number of clubs in Lewis County that any rider can join to help support the clubs up there, and interested riders can e-mail Jim Jennings and Jim Lewis at NYSSA to call for support of a redistribution of NYSSA funds to further help the upstate clubs. Eric M. made a motion that the club hold a Poker Run if we get snow with all proceeds to benefit the upstate clubs. The motion passed unanimously. The motion was amended and passed that the Rock Tavern Sno Riders will match any funds made at the Poker Run.

And lastly from Kevin: The NYSSA SuperRaffle is on, with 70 prizes, and the Sno Riders keep ½ of the $5 ticket price for every ticket sold. Sue has tickets if anyone is interested in selling some. From Eric: There are new maps and signage for the Stewart lands. (Examples of each are attached!) From Mark: The club owns an enclosed trailer, a sled to pull a groomer and a sled to pull the rescue sled. A motion was passed to spend $100 to have the trailer lettered “Rock Tavern Sno Riders Rescue Sled”

It’s time for the Holiday Party! The Christmas party will be held at My Place on December 1st at 7:00. Please call Mark at 845-494-7884 to let him know if you will attend or let him know at the next meeting on November 28th. The cost is $10 per person. We’ll also be having a raffle for door prizes at the party, so if you have a relationship with any dealer, try to get them to donate prizes!

It’s starting to get cold here: And that means – Raffle Tickets Are Due!! All raffle tickets must be in to Rick by the November meeting!

We’re eschewing the usual newsletter format this month and instead are simply reminding you that it’s time to renew your membership for the 2007-2008 season!

How many ways to renew?

1. Renew Online
   • Go to www.rocktavernsnoriders.com
   • Click on "Membership," then "Join the Rock Tavern Sno Riders.” Follow the directions. (It's so easy, even Mark did it!) You can print your voucher immediately and send it in to the Department of Motor Vehicle with your registration renewal.
2. Renew at the Meeting
• Wednesday, September 19th at 7:30 at Sculley’s!

Parties, meetings and other assorted stuff:

Hot enough for you, Riders? You're probably (hopefully) sitting in some air conditioned room, avoiding the oppressive heat outside. Perhaps starting to think about snowy nights, speeding along on your snowmobile...?

Well, we're here to remind you that the Rock Tavern SnoRiders are still going as active as ever, with volunteers at the Goshen Great American Weekend and the Ulster County Fair advertising our club and selling raffle tickets, and with a party to celebrate our favorite guy - Mark!

Yep - Dave Cordner is having a party at 2:00 on August 18th, at his home in Wallkill. Dave hosts a party every August, but this year is special, as we celebrate the triumph of Mark's spirit. Please join us as we snarf good food, quaff good beer and listen to some fabulous tunes. Dave is asking that party-goers make a $10 donation, with all proceeds going to support Mark and his family as he recovers and renews from his bout with cancer. We're all so proud of Mark and Sue and in awe of what they're gone through and the strength that they showed throughout the ordeal. So now let's celebrate them both!

The invitation is extended to Club members and their guests - please call Dave for directions, at 845-895-1072. Good Times will be had by all, and we hope to see you there.

(* This announcement is only going out in e-mail form, so if you know of a club member who doesn't receive the newsletters and information via e-mail, please be kind enough to pass this along*)

Also, two reminders - September 19th is our next club meeting, and the first of the 2007-2008 season. We'll see you there. And from Raffle Rick, for those of you who have returned your raffle tickets to him already -THANK YOU! For those of you who haven't - send them in! If you'd like more tickets to sell, stick a note along with the ticket stubs and the money in the envelope provided, and Rick will be happy to send you more.

See you on August 18th!

Jocelyn
Club Secretary

THE NEXT ROCK TAVERN SNO RIDERS

 EVENT WILL BE

The Holiday Party!
Saturday, December 9
 7:00 pm
at Sculley's on Rte. 207 in Rock Tavern.

Next Regular Meeting:

Wednesday, December 20, 7:30 pm, Sculley's.
 

Important !
Per Rick: Only 184 tickets for the Rock Tavern Snowmobile Raffle have been turned in. 800 tickets are still out there. The tickets need to be in before the Christmas party. Rick will be at Sculley’s on 12/6 at 8:00 collecting tickets.

Meeting Notes:

Treasurer’s Report: Was accepted as read. Details mailed/emailed to members.

• Kevin: NYSSA membership is up – there are currently 12,347 members. Income from club memberhsip to NYSSA as of 10/31 is $67,890 (last year: $9,940) This year there are 32,000 registrations. There is a new 415 page Adirondack Snowmobile Plan, which incorporates aspects from the plan 2 years ago, including keeping the wide trails. Kevin also talked about Trail Watch and passed out flyers. This is funded by the Homeland Security Dept. and allows riding in some restricted areas. We have signs with a phone number to call if you see suspicious activity. Kevin will see about hanging the signs at Stewart.
• Anne: Thanks to Kevin for becoming the Orange/Sullivan Alternate NYSSA Director!
• Anne: Extolled the virtues of the Adirondack Plan with regards to how it relates to Stewart and the 10/26 meeting. 60/70% of attendees were snowmobilers. Spoke about Mark and Sue’s speeches. Attitudes were changed that night. On 11/10, Anne sent a rebuttal of the Stewart Management Plan in person to the DEC. She went over the plan with the SMP Rep who confided that we would have access with some restrictions. All of the recommendations from the SMP Rep still have to go up the chain of command, but the plan will be in effect 12/31.
• Anne & Mark: We need to be on our best behavior this winter! If you see people misbehaving, stop them. If you see someone back there not on a sled, slow down. Let’s not give them a reason to take our trails away.
• Kevin: The Sullivan County Trails Association needs our help – if you have an ATV and can clear trails, see Kevin for information. For two days of work, they’ll give you free membership.
• Mark: What do with all of our money? Eric suggested buying materials for next year’s drags or sponsoring a baseball team. Eric will also look into the pricing for the drags fencing. Eric will head up committee to get started on next year’s drags. He’ll report back at the 12/20 meeting.

More Stewart News:

Stewart Forest uses meet with SAC resistance

Stewart Airport – The proposed unit management plan for the 6,800 acre, more or less, Stewart State Forest just east of Stewart Airport was criticized by the Stewart Airport Commission Tuesday.

The plan, which must be finalized by the end of the year by court order, includes creation of a Bird Conservation area, and allow campfires, handguns and shotguns for hunting and one part-time forest ranger to patrol the land.

None of that sat well with the commission members, who adopted a resolution calling on the state Department of Environmental Conservation to make changes in the next month.

Commission Chairman James Wright had safety concerns for aircraft. "Air Force One, from time to time, lands here at Stewart. Air Force One takes off over the forest. So I am concerned about anyone wandering around out there without somebody watching them. I don' think that one staff member from DEC can watch what is happening out there."

Commission members also expressed concerns about bird strikes of airplanes.

Sandra Kissam, president of the Stewart Park and Reserve Coalition, which forced the state to develop the unit master plan as part of a court settlement, was suspect about the timing of the commission members' concerns.

"It would seem that this concern about whether the state forest and its uses poses a risk to the airport have only arisen since, indeed, the land in conjunction with our agreement with the state, the decision has determined that the land be open space."

Orange County Administrative Officer James O'Donnell, who represents County Executive Edward Diana on the commission, said public safety should be priority-one in the forest, which to him means a review of the handgun policy and other provisions. O'Donnell is a former State Police commander and former chief of the MTA Police Department.

Did you get your snowmobile raffle tickets?
Contact Rich Bonita! (845)542-5423

REMINDER:
The SnoRiders will hold meetings every month. The riding season is coming soon!

THE NEXT ROCK TAVERN SNO RIDERS

 MEETING WILL BE

Wednesday, November 15
 7:30 pm
at Sculley's on Rte. 207 in Rock Tavern.

Important News!

Our fabulous treasurer, Sue, and esteemed President, Mark, welcomed their new son on November 6th! Robert John was born at 9:15 a.m., weighing 8 pounds and stretching 20 inches. He joins big sister Jessie. Sue and Robert are both healthy and all are happy.

Our congratulations go to Mark, Sue and Jessie in welcoming little Robert into the world. We can't wait to meet him!

Other Important News:

A number of SnoRiders attended an open forum in New Windsor with regards to the potential banning of snowmobiling in the Stewart buffer zone. This issue will be discussed in detail at the November meeting, but many representatives were there to promote snowmobiling. For more information, speak with Mark or Anne and read the plan on-line at http:///www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/publands/ump/reg3/stewart.html

Meeting Notes:

Treasurer’s Report: Was accepted as read. Details mailed/emailed to members.

From the Fearless Leader: Mark had a lot of people to thank for the success of the Grass Drags. Special thanks are extended to Eric and Derek Miller, Pat Kiernan, the crew of the food tent, the Gurdas, Joe Zappone, Tom Harnett, Ray Mulligan and Dave Cordner. Tom’s father was hospitalized, so Kevin M. made a motion that the SnoRiders send a Get Well bouquet. The motion passed unanimously.

• Rick: 54 raffle tickets were sold at the Drags. We have 300 more tickets to sell, in addition to the ones passed out to the club. Please turn in any tickets that have been sold.
• A motion was made from Kevin M. to make a donation to the Montgomery Little League and the Montgomery Ambulance Corps for their help at the Drags. A discussion ensued about the amounts. It was agreed to send $400 to the Ambulance Corps and $100 to the Little League. A motion was also made and passed for the club to purchase 10 raffle tickets and donate them to Sean and Evie, who provided the food cart at the Drags. A motion also passed to purchase and donate 1 raffle ticket for each thank you letter we send out to major sponsors.
• A lengthy discussion was carried out about the t-shirts all members wore at the drags. It was agreed that if you wish to purchase one of the shirts, please get in touch with Dave Cordner at the next meeting.
• We’re unable to print additional booklets for the sponsors, as per the meeting discussion. If you have an extra booklet, please bring it to the 11/15 meeting.
• Sue: We received a bill for $430 for website activity and upkeep. Sue made a motion, seconded by Brian G. to pay this bill. The motion passed unanimously.
• Kevin M. reminded the club about the NYSSA raffle tickets available for $5. The club receives ½ the money for each ticket sold. Two raffles will be held in January and April for 65 prizes.

NYSSA News:

NYSSA wants every member club to donate $100 to Easter Seals. Anne wanted us to know that NYSSA used to receive $45,000 from the State Trail Fund to pay for trail inspector training. NYSSA now pays for these classes. Kevin M. is now the alternate NYSSA representative for Orange County (Go Kev!). The NYSSA online membership lists may not yet be ready, but our website is kicking butt! Pictures and sponsors from the Grass Drags are on the website – check it out.

Did you get your snowmobile raffle tickets?
Contact Rich Bonita! (845)542-5423

REMINDER:
The SnoRiders will hold meetings every month. The riding season is coming soon!

THE NEXT ROCK TAVERN SNO RIDERS

 MEETING WILL BE

Wednesday, November 15
 7:30 pm
at Sculley's on Rte. 207 in Rock Tavern.

Before we get onto the news from the monthly meeting, just a short note to say THANK YOU to everyone who has participated in making the Grass Drags happen. The whole club is needed for this monumental effort, and the effort has been incredible. We’ve raised money, organized volunteers and collected and distributed materials. There’s still a lot of work to do, but it’s going to be amazing!

Meeting Notes:

For those of you not at the September meeting, you missed a great talk from a special guest visitor – Andy Mulholland from the Roger Dwyer Agency of Allstate Insurance in New Windsor. He gave a presentation on snowmobile insurance availability and explained that Allstate will be promoting really aggressive rates for snowmobilers. He will also be a sponsor at the Grass Drags! For more information on Andy’s great rates, contact him at amulholland@allstate.com or by phone at 845-562-1664.

Treasurer’s Report: Was accepted as read.

Per our superb VP Rick: The float in the Montgomery Day Parade was a huge success. And we’d like to extend a big THANK YOU to the Miller Family for building and running the float and to Jim and Kathy Lord who donated an antique tractor to pull the float. Flyers were handed out. Raffle tickets are still available.

From the Fearless Leader: Mark clued us in that there’s also a NYSSA Raffle going on. For every ticket sold, the club gets ½ the ticket price of $5. Per Kevin, there are a number of drawings in January and April for 65 prizes. See Kevin Makuen for tickets.

More About The Drags:

• Mark: Shawangunk Snowmobile and Rescue Club offered us their rescue sled as a showpiece in exchange for a spot at the Drags. Mark asked them not to sell memberships or raffle tickets. Motion from Eric to allow them to bring the sled and to please bring volunteers (who will be admitted at no charge). Passed.
• Motion from Tom that NYSSA be given a space for free. Passed. Kevin will coordinate.
• Rick will take care of the garbage on 10/16. Jocelyn will assist if he needs it.
• Question from Eric – how much will this cost to put on?  Montgomery Little League is providing bleachers and picnic tables. Hudson Valley Tent is providing a big tent. The Club receives money from the Dash for Cash, Entrance Fees, Pit Fees and Food Sales (if we sell our own food). ProAm receives $550 from the club as well as racers fees. The Club is to provide prize money.

REMINDER:
The SnoRiders will hold meetings every month.
The riding season is coming soon!

Did you get your snowmobile raffle tickets?
Contact Rich Bonita! (845)542-5423

THE NEXT ROCK TAVERN SNO RIDERS

 MEETING WILL BE

THE LAST MEETING BEFORE THE GRASS DRAGS!!
Wednesday September 13th, 7:30 pm
at Sculley's on Rte. 207 in Rock Tavern.

 Be there to renew your membership
and get the voucher for your snowmobile registration!

We’ll also accept online and mail-in memberships
(but you will have to mail your check separately
and wait for the voucher to be mailed to you. Much easier to attend!!).

PLEASE ATTEND!

Meeting Notes:

August 6 Membership Party: The Annual Membership Party was great and thanks go to all that attended and all who coordinated. Many new members signed up. For those of you who were unable to attend, there's still time to sign up and receive your NYSSA voucher for your snowmobile registration discount.

Membership forms can also be printed (click here) and mailed in, or submitted online here (you will have to mail your check separately). Registration Vouchers will be returned by US Mail.

GRASS DRAGS SPONSORS: We still need sponsors, to make this happen. All money is due at the September 13 meeting for sponsors to be included in the program!

Download a Sponsor Form here.

Sponsors are listed on the main page.

GRASS DRAGS INFO SHEET: Download here - this is a flyer you can post around town in your travels.

THIS AND THAT FOR THE DRAGS:

• Kevin Makuen will handle ambulance services.
• Mark will call Frank Turner about fire department services.
• Sharon Miller is going to check into dates and details for room reservations at the Hampton Inn.
• Tom H. is working with the Super 8 Motel for deals for room reservations.

SUPER BIG SHOUT OUT!! Many, many thanks to the Northeast Snowmobile Racing Association, and their representative, Flint Stone, for providing us with trophies, fencing, and poles for the Grass Drags! And the Grass Drags will also be featured in Snoweek Race Magazine, along with the Drags schedule.  Check it out at www.powersledracingorganization.com .

Montgomery Day - We'll be putting a float in the Montgomery Day Parade.  Please contact Sue to work on the float. Sharon Miller will check into the requirements for entering a float into the Parade.

Rick will get details and dates to get a booth to sell raffle tickets at the Grahamsville Fair and the Antique Tractor Show.

Did you get your snowmobile raffle tickets?
Contact Rich Bonita! (845)542-5423

THE NEXT ROCK TAVERN SNO RIDERS

 MEETING WILL BE

THE LAST MEETING BEFORE THE GRASS DRAGS!!  

Wednesday September 13th, 7:30 pm

at

Sculley's on Rte. 207 in Rock Tavern.

 Be there to renew your membership and get the voucher for your snowmobile registration!
(We’ll also accept mail-in registrations – the form is available at our website)

PLEASE ATTEND!

June 21 Meeting Notes:

August Membership Party: The Annual Membership Party will be held on August 6 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm at Scully's Tavern.  Be there to renew your membership and to get the voucher for your snowmobile registration! September 1st is the new registration date - your NYS Snowmobile registration will expire as of August 31.

Membership forms can also be printed (click here) and mailed in, or submitted online here (you will have to mail your check separately). Registration Vouchers will be returned by US Mail.

GRASS DRAGS SPONSORS: We need sponsors, says Mark! Please be sure to get the email address of any sponsor so that we can send them a thank you! If you need the form, call Jocelyn or download here.

Sponsors are listed on the main page.

GRASS DRAGS INFO SHEET: Download here - this is a flyer you can post around town in your travels.

Treasurer's Report:  As of the June meeting, the account balance was $4,940.30. Expenses included postage, the new trailer, the snowmobile for the raffle, and expenses associated with the NYSSA Annual Meeting.

Montgomery Day - We'll be putting a float in the Montgomery Day Parade.  Please contact Sue to work on the float.

SUPER BIG SHOUT OUT!! Many, many thanks to the Northeast Snowmobile Racing Association, and their representative, Flint Stone, for providing us with trophies, fencing, and poles for the Grass Drags! And the Grass Drags will also be featured in Snoweek Race Magazine, along with the Drags schedule.  Check it out at www.powersledracingorganization.com .

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