The South Dakota Snowmobile Association

The Snowmobiler's Voice

A message from the SDSA President

Duane Sutton

December 2008

Another successful SDSA Convention has come and gone, and although it's always nice to have it behind us, the convention acts as a reminder of how close knit the snowmobile community is. Congratulations to Diane Hiles and her committee on a very well run, organized and extremely entertaining convention. If you missed the Saturday night entertainment, Deuces Wild, you missed an excellent performance. You all did a great job! I'm already looking forward to next year in Yankton. I want to congratulate Scott Erstad on his induction into the South Dakota Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Marty Grabow and Russ Johnson Men Snowmobilers of the Year, Jean Wilkinson, Woman Snowmobiler of the Year, Tyler Lund, Youth Snowmobiler of the Year, Myrna and Randy Knadle, Family of the Year, and Mike Gelling and Bruce Tollefson, Groomers of the Year. These people are all very deserving of their awards, and represent many hours and years of dedication to our sport. I'm looking forward to working with Chuck Anderson, President Elect, newly elected board members Bill Naessig, Todd Sprang, and Travis Watkins, along with the rest of the board in the coming year to accomplish many great things. My apologies to Stacey Quiram, Doug Sunne and Chuck Anderson for not properly recognizing you at the banquet. I appreciate everything the three of you do for SDSA, and look forward to the coming years' activities. I wasn't very organized in my notes.
Earlier this fall, SDSA Past President and current ACSA President Todd Wilkinson asked to not be re-appointed to any SDSA position. Todd has been also serving as the SDSA Executive Director. At the convention, we presented Todd with a small token of our appreciation and thanked him for his years of service and dedication. SDSA is a much stronger association due to Todd’s leadership, and I want to again thank him and wish him and Jean well.
Because we didn't receive any bids for the 2010 SDSA Convention, the deadline to get your proposal in has been extended until the Governor's Ride in February. I would urge any club interested to put together a bid and get it to Mary Anne. At our AGM we made a by-law change that allows clubs to count Associate Members in their club member numbers to be counted toward the number of voting delegates they are allowed at the AGM. Our hope is that clubs will actively pursue Associate Members, which will benefit SDSA through additional revenues. SDSA remains the owner of the enclosed trailer as a result of the trailer not being sold. We will repair the trailer and once again make it available to clubs to use for their activities. It serves not only as an excellent headquarters, cafeteria, or information center, but is also a traveling billboard for SDSA.
I received word this afternoon that the webcam at Trailshead is up and running. We are working on getting it linked to the SDSA and Power Brokers homepages. By the time you read this, we should have the bugs ironed out. This will be the second webcam in the hills, the first being at Spearfish Canyon Lodge. Thank you to Power Brokers for sponsoring the Trailshead webcam, and Spearfish Canyon Lodge and Trailshead for placing the cameras.
Hats off to the Poinsett Pounders for organizing the Ride for the Ribbon event, scheduled for February 7th, 2009 in Badger, SD. This will be a Breast Cancer awareness ride in conjunction with the Susan B. Komen foundation. I would urge you to all raise some money and plan on attending.
By the time you read this, we should have heard a decision on Yellowstone. The park is scheduled to open December 16th, and the decision has been tied up in dueling courts, one in Washington, the other in Montana. Let's hope common sense prevails! As a result of the November 4th election, the United States finds itself with one party in control of both the Executive and Legislative branches of our government. I urge everyone to pay very close attention to a variety of issues and contact our congressional delegation with any concerns you may have. Our future could depend on it! SDSA will continue to monitor both Federal and State issues, and will post any news on our website. Check it often, and watch for exciting changes coming. If you don't have it bookmarked, it's www.snowmobilesd.com
On December 13th, 2008 I'll be heading to Chicago for the Land Summit, and will report in next month's issue what was discussed. I'd like to close by wishing everyone a safe and happy Holiday Season. If you will be traveling, travel safely. If you are out riding, be cautious, courteous, and safe.
During this season of Thanksgiving and celebrating our Faith, let's all remember those who may be suffering or going through personal challenges. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. There is truly power in prayer, and they can produce miracles.
Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year to everyone. Thank you for allowing me to serve you for another year.
I am truly appreciative and thankful for all my snowmobile friends. Duane Sutton

A message from the SDSA President Elect

Chuck Anderson

December 2008

Wow: is the word that best describes State Convention. Congratulations Town and Country on a job well done. Great time was had by everyone who attended. Congratulations to Aberdeen club for being the largest club in the state and Faulkton club for adding the most new people for largest % of growth. Great job to both clubs. Also congratulations to the snowmobiler of the year winners: Jean Wilkinson, Russ Johnson & Marty Grabow, and Tyler Lund-Youth, Family of the Year: Myrna and Randy Knadle, Hall of Fame: Scott Erstad and Groomer of the Year: James "Mike" Gelling and Bruce Tollefson.
I would like to thank the board members who went off the board Mick Hehn, and Ann Nagel, it was great working with you. New Directors: Bill Naessig, Travis Watkins and Todd Sprang, I look forward to working with you.
If you missed the first round of the Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos, you missed a great show 9:00-11:45, but when they started up again at 12:00-1:30 you really missed it. They started up again for the fun of it. Having Tammy Fey from the audience come up and sing with them was awesome. Thanks for a fantastic performance by Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos comedy show.
Take time to check out the new live snow cam at Trailshead by going to snowmobilesd.com it looks great!! Special thanks to Mary Anne for all her work on the website, it looks great. Send her an email thanking her for all her work on the website and all the work she does for SDSA.
Planning has begun on the Governors Ride, which will be coming fast. This ride is open to everyone to come and participate in. Hopefully Arctic Cat will be the main sponsor again this year; we will keep everyone informed on progress and details.
Feb 7th will be a special day with the Poinsett Ponders doing a very special fundraiser: Ride for the Ribbon. (Breast cancer awareness) This should be a very good, fun time as well as a great fundraiser. Plan on attending to help out this great cause.
Special thanks goes out to Sandy at Trailshead Lodge for her patience with the many delays and problems getting the web camera up and running it really looks great. Thanks to Power Brokers Inc. and Jim Le Tendre the sponsor.
Ride
Safe
Chuck