North Country ATV Association Inc.

From the President
Here it is the end of March already with the riding season right around the corner. There will be plenty to do in the coming months for those of you just itching to get out on the trails and help get things ready for the ’08 season. We have trail work scheduled so please take a look and mark them on your calendar. The more help we get, the faster trails get opened and the quicker we can get into expanding areas. It’s a win, win situation for everyone.

We have made it through our first show of the season, the St. Albans Rotary Expo, and I’d like to thank everyone who helped out. The Willette family, Theresa and Rusty Getty, Joe Larose, Adam Jamka, Dan “Frenchy” Boulet, Greg Cadieux and my three kids, Hannah, Sarah and Connor. I think this year’s show was a success and we were very happy with the way things went. Our next, and last scheduled show is the upcoming Home & Garden show at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Jct. April 18, 19 and 20. This is one of the largest shows of the year in Chittenden County and we are hoping for continued success.

I’ve had several conversations over the past couple months with members and people that are thinking of joining the club, about riding opportunities. All have expressed that they want to ride different locations, but have a similar problem. No way to transport their ATV from point A to point B. Most said only ride local to where they live or ride different locations when they go with friends. I know many times members have an extra spot on a trailer or in the truck where we could help another member with a ride. All it would take would be an entry on the website letting folks know you’re going and have the room.

One other concern many have voiced over the past couple months has to do with the monthly meetings. It looks like we will be moving to St. Albans for our meetings. Some will be happy with this decision and some won’t. There is always the possibility of carpooling for those that have mentioned that with the rising cost of gas, unless the meeting was in their living room, they weren’t going. I understand and have once again put the invite out to our Chittenden County members that they can hook up with me and ride to the meetings with me from Milton. I’m going anyway and would help out anyone that wants to go, just contact me.

Hoping spring gets here soon,
-Steve
ATV Wagon Raffle
We are going to be raffling off a chance to win your choice of an ATV Wagon by Agri-Fab or $500 cash at the ATV Challenge in July.

The ticket price is $5/ticket or $20 for five tickets. Enclosed with the newsletter are tickets that you can purchase and return with payment to the NCAA. We will also have tickets available at each of our meetings, events, etc.

This wagon is very versatile. It can be pulled behind a lawn tractor, ATV or small tractor. It has either a pin latch or can have a ball put on to hook up to your tow vehicle. It can haul up to 1000 pounds and has articulating wheels which allows it to “walk” over obstacles without tipping the load.

2nd Annual ATV Challenge
Volunteers needed!! We would like to have about 50 total volunteers for this years Challenge as it will be bigger and better than last year.

We have been looking into working with the Franklin County Field Days site in Highgate which will allow us more area for ATV related displays/booths. With the added space available to use we need a lot more people to keep things flowing smoothly. If you are available to lend a hand on July 12, 2008 either the full day or part of the day, please let Claire know so she can add your name to the list. We have about 20 people now but really need more. So please lend a hand and enjoy the show too!

On a side note, we would like to thank Rosie and the crew at Rail Trail Sales and Service in Enosburg for all of their help with setting up last year’s event. We haven’t forgotten about you!!

There will be a lot more information coming soon about the activities at the Challenge so stay tuned.

VT Home and Garden Show-Essex Junction
On April 18-20, 2008 the NCAA will be staffing a booth at the VT Home and Garden Show at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction. This will be the first time we have tried this show. The number of people that go through this show is enormous. We are in hopes of spreading the word of legal ATV riding opportunities, sell raffle tickets for the ATV Wagon and promote the ATV Challenge event.

Trail Patrol Training Scheduled
On Tuesday, April 22nd we will hold this years trail patrol training at the Georgia Public Library on Route 7 just off I-89 Exit 18 at 6:00pm. I would like to see about 20 patrollers for this year. If you are interested in becoming a trail patroller and have questions, let me know.
-Dan Boulet

Trail Work Dates Scheduled
I have scheduled dates to get out and clear/clean up trails.

They are: -May 17th, Highgate bridge work and trail work, 9am.
-May 31st, Enosburg trail work, 9am.
-June 8th, Georgia Mountain trail work, 9am.
-June 22nd, Callan Property in Montgomery trail work, 10am.
-July 19-20th, Georgia Mountain weekend trail work, 9am each day.

Trail Closure Reminder- Currently the NCAA trails are open (except Montgomery). But as Spring approaches please be aware that some of our trails will be closed for runoff, Georgia Mountain is a prime example. The owners requested the Spring closure last Fall. We all need to abide by their wishes or we could lose trail.

We will try our best to post closures on the NCAA website/forum as well as we will have signs up at the trailheads. If you are unsure if the trails are open/closed, call or email Brian or Claire Willette and we can let you know the trail status.
-Brian Willette, Trail Coordinator

Trail Acquisition Program
This program was started in 2007 to reward members who help NCAA gain access to new land for ATV trail riding. If a member signs on a landowner (new or adjoining) approved by the Board, that member will receive his/her next years VASA/NCAA membership free. And for as long as the landowner keeps signing, the membership would be free.

This year we really need to focus on expansion as you will probably read in a number of articles and it takes all of our members to achieve this. If you want more riding opportunities, please, please help us out!!

Aluminum Can Tabs
NCAA has been collecting aluminum can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. We will continue to do this for some time as we would like to turn in a whole bunch when we do. For those of you who are new to our “family” or just as a reminder please continue to save your can tabs and turn them in to us at a club meeting or event. Thanks!

From the Ride Coordinator
Currently, rides are waiting for a break in the weather. However, we do have some rides projected for the near future.

Saturday, April 26th we are looking for a ride from Bakersfield to Montgomery. This is a nice ride for the family. It is primarily flat as we are using the back roads.

Sunday, May 25th we are looking to plan a ride from Cowansville to Granby in the Province of Quebec. This is an interesting ride through the Canadian countryside. Depending on the weather this can sometimes be a wet or muddy ride (see website for pictures).

Also, we have entered into discussions with the selectboards of Berkshire and Richford for the possibility of accessing some of their roads. Remember at this time their roads are NOT open and should not be ridden on. We are trying to show the towns and local landowners we are responsible riders.

It would be nice to make a ride from Bakersfield to Franklin including some interesting trails. This can only happen with your help. If you know anyone who owns land or is on the selectboards, put in a good word for the club.

See you on the trails, a happy ATV is an ATV on the trail!
-Joe Larose

NCAA Merchandise
For those of you who may not know, we have NCAA hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts and fleece pullovers available in different styles. If you would like an item, we try to have them at the monthly meetings. You can also go through PayPal on the NCAA website to order and pay or you can contact Claire and she can give you prices and availability.

Calendar of Events

April 1, 2008-NCAA monthly meeting, 7pm at the Abbey Restaurant in Sheldon.

April 14, 2008-VASA monthly meeting, 6:30pm at the Central VT Chamber of Commerce in Berlin.

April 18-20, 2008-VT Home and Garden Show at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction.

April 27, 2008-St. Albans Maple Festival Parade

May 3, 2008-Trail Patrol Training, time and site to be determined.

May 6, 2008-NCAA monthly meeting, 7pm at the American Legion on Parah Drive in St. Albans.

May 12, 2008-VASA monthly meeting, 6:30pm at the Central VT Chamber of Commerce in Berlin.

May 17, 2008-Highgate bridge and trail work, 9am.

May 26, 2008-Memorial Day

May 31, 2008-Enosburg trail work, 9am.

July 12, 2008-2nd Annual ATV Challenge Drag and Mud races at the Franklin County Field Days site in Highgate.