‘Family Fun Days’ a success
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Family fun and fellowship was the focus for those taking part in the Molunkus Valley Sno-Drifters Family Fun Day. On Saturday, May 10 community members gathered at the snowmobile club in Sherman to raise money for the organization’s continuing efforts to save and maintain local trails.
Pioneer Times photo/Jennifer Ruth
PLAY DAY — These young ladies try their hand at paddle ball during the Family Fun Days event in Sherman on Saturday, May 10. From left are: 7-year-old Alexis Palleschi, 10-year-old Hailey Palleschi and 4-year-old Emma Palleschi. The sisters live with their parents in Belgrade and were visiting their grandparents Harold and Roberta Lane in Sherman.
“This year’s snowmobile season was very well,” explained Debbie Long, president of the Molunkus Valley Sno-Drifters. “There was a lot more people through because we had the snow that we usually don’t get and the price of fuel has killed all the small clubs. You don’t get enough back from the funding. We were in the hole big time after grooming this year because of the gas prices.
“We only get $3,300 from the state and we groom over 80 miles of trail,” she added. “We had an auction that day and we did really well with that. We raised more than $400.”
The continued rise in fuel hit everyone hard, and Long said the clubs felt it too.
“We really took a crunch,” said Long. “But, membership was up, which was a good thing. Even if they can’t participate and help with events and things, their membership is the main thing because they’re still helping the club.”
Long said the clubs receive little funding from the state department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and keeping those trails open to the public during the peak season, which is vital to the area’s economic development.
“It is very important because if we don’t have these fund-raisers than the businesses aren’t going to get the business and we won’t have the people coming through that are snow-sledding, which we feel is very important to this area,” said Long. “We have another fund-raiser that’s going on right now. We have the Pizza Hut pizza cards, which we’re selling for $8 a card and it has over $75 in savings.”
Long said to contact members of the snow club for a ticket. Long said another fund-raiser being held is their Father’s Day Kayak Raffle. The club will be raffling off a kayak with a life jacket and paddles from Old Town Canoe.
“It can be seen at Sherman Thriftway and tickets are available at Sherman Thriftway or the Sherman Town Office or myself,” she said.
Other events that took place on Saturday included a barbecue, an auction as well as a duck race. Race winners include: first place Jalon Somers of Sherman, Wal-Mart gift card; second Joyce Cummings of Stacyville, cash, third Kim Polk of Sherman, camp chair and fourth for last duck was Riley Somers of Sherman, stuffed duck and a personal pan pizza.
Bob Myers, the president of the Maine Snowmobile Association and his wife Peggy, also took part in the event by purchasing three ducks. They didn’t’ win, however, they did receive a certificate for “Furthest Traveling Loser.”
Anyone that would like to help the club or purchase a ticket should call Long at 267-1200.
Pioneer Times photo/Jennifer Ruth
AUCTIONERS — The Molunkus Valley Sno-Drifters club was crowded with people looking to get a good deal at this auction being held to raise money for the club during their Family Fun Days event on Saturday, May 10.
