2008 Christmas Party

Sunday, December 14 at 2:30 pm
The Outpost Pub & Grill
14929 Archer Ave
Lockport IL
815-836-8893

Cost: $15.00 per adult and $12.00 per child
Buffet style dinner w/ appetizers before and brownies and cookies for dessert.

Don't forget that Santa is stopping by after dinner to have a quick visit with the Rusty Runners. You don't want to miss him.

Hope to see you there!

Click Here for directions to the Outpost from Plainfield

First Aid Classes

FYI,

Edward Hospital is offering CPR and First Aid classes at a variety of times. If you are interested in attending, follow this link to the Edward Hospital web site. The American Red Cross also teaches courses in a variety of locations, too. Click on website for more information.

Bonfire Map & directions

Annual Bonfire & Halloween Party

Where: Home of Craig Hill, 16723 W. 145th Place, Lockport
Click on link to see directions that take you from Beggar's Pizza to Craig's home.
When: Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 5 p.m.
Grilled meat and pop will be provided.
Plates and silverware will be available, too.
Please bring a dish to share: appetizer, salad or dessert.
If you have them, extra yard chairs will be appreciated.
Who: Members and their families, and guests are welcome, too.
Costumes are optional, but if you're under 12 – it's preferred.

September 2008 Meeting Recap

Our thanks to everyone that attended the September membership meeting and for those who were absent, you were missed. The meeting was led by Ron LaFido. 15 members were present.

A few highlights from the meeting:

• Member Dues
  

2009 Member dues are being collected. Please mail or drop off your dues.

Trail Passes

2008-2009 Cost of trail passes in Wisconsin $35.00 and in Michigan $25.00

• PEMA Volunteers
  

  If you live within Plainfield and have a 4 wheeler or snowmobile, contact Ron LaFido. He is in the process of updating the PEMA list. This is a list of volunteers that can be contacted when there is a emergency that requires alternative transportation. Talk to Ron if you are interested in helping.
  

• 2008-2009 Officers are as follows:
  

  President: David Kaleta
  

  Vice President: Ron LaFido
  

  Secretary: Cheri Day
  

  Treasurer: Linda Stork
  

  Directors: (2nd year of 2 year term) Ron Stork and Ron Bacza
  

  (1st year of 2 year term) Paul Mueller, Dick Kursell, and Mark Hathaway
  

  
  

• Annual Bonfire & Halloween Party
  

Where: Home of Craig Hill, 16723 W. 145^th Place, Lockport

When: Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 5 p.m.

Grilled meat and pop will be provided.

Plates and silverware will be available, too.

Please bring a dish to share: appetizer, salad or dessert.

If you have them, extra yard chairs will be appreciated.

Who: Members and their families, and guests are welcome, too.

Costumes are optional, but if you're under 12 – it's preferred.

P.S. Volunteers are needed to help with children's activities. A few of the ideas mentioned: costume contest with prizes, individual photos taken of each costumed child, or decorating pumpkins. Contact Ron Stork if you can help.

• Holiday – Christmas Party
  

  We need feedback on what kind of party to host this year. Last year, we went to Baci's in Plainfield for dinner. Other years we have had a pot luck dinner. Time is running out on being able to reserve a location. Please share your comments in person or by email. If we do a pot luck, we need a location that will let us bring in food & drink. Most places want to cater the meal. A restaurant allows everyone to relax and eat, but cost per person can be a factor. If you have a place in mind, the preferred date for the party is Sunday, December 7. Traditionally, we have held the party on the 1^st Sunday of the month.
  

  
  

• 2009 Snowmobile Club Trips
  

  As you might have expected, there were all kinds of ideas discussed. Currently, the following trips have the most interest.
  

  January 16-19, 2009 (Martin Luther King Jr weekend) Boulder Junction, WI
  

  February 5-8, 2009 (Cadillac Snowmobile Festival) Sands Motel
  

  March 2009 (Eagle River, WI)
  

  Other locations considered are Minocqua, WI; Baldwin, MI; Newberry, MI: and the Lake Gogebic area. Paul Killa has offered his cottage in Wisconsin.
  

  Last year, the reaction to trips was mixed. We need your feedback.
  

  
  

• Snowmobile Safety Classes
  

  Possible dates are Saturday, November 15 and Sunday, December 14. David Kaleta is in the process of getting these dates approved and set up.
  

  
  

  
  

• Milwaukee Snowmobile Show
  

  Scheduled for October 17-19, see website,
  www.snowmobileusa.com,
  for more details.
  

  
  

• October Membership Meeting
  

  Don't forget our next meeting is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at Beggar's Pizza in Plainfield. Hope to see you there.
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

September Meeting Reminder

Welcome back everyone. We hope you had a great summer.

Just a quick reminder that the first Rusty Runners membership meeting of the season is Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 7:30 pm at Beggars Pizza in Plainfield. Beggars Pizza is just south of Renwick on Rt. 59. The actual street address is 16122 S. Rt. 59, Plainfield, IL and their phone number is 815-254-2222. They have an extensive menu as well as serve beer and wine. Plan to come early, so you can enjoy the good food!

Please attend this meeting. In order to plan the upcoming season, we need every member’s input. For example, with the higher fuel prices and the economic woes; we need to know how interested members are in out of state snowmobile trips. What areas interest you? What events interest you? Should we keep the Bonfire, Christmas party? We are looking for your ideas.

By the way, if you are available:
IL Valley Winter Sports Club.-- Snowmobile Grass Drags
Sept. 14, 2008
Winnebago County Fairgrounds in Pecatonica, IL

And please welcome our newest club member, Kara Day, sister of Carter and Reid, who was born August 15, 2008. Kara weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and was 19 ½ inches long. Her parents, Janile and Lee Day, are very thankful. Grandma Cheri is very excited. Congratulations to everyone.

At the end of this reminder is a note that comes from our IASC President, Dan Long. We urge you to take action. Thanks in advance.

See you at the meeting.

Ron and Linda Stork


================

For years we have been writing letters to representatives to keep Yellowstone open.
It is time to write letters about keeping our areas open now.
The parks listed below are scheduled for closure on November 1st.

Castle Rock, Lowden, Hennepin Canal Pkwy, Illini, Wolf Creek, Channahon Parkway, Gebhard Woods,
Hidden Springs State Forrest, Kickapoo, Moraine View, Weldon Springs, partial I&M Canal.

The Hennepin Canal is the longest snowmobile trail in Illinois.
We must fight to keep these areas open for our use.
Please use the attached letter as a guideline, you may adapt as you see fit.
They should be addressed to your STATE Senator and Representative, NOT Federal.
Feel free to also write the Governor!
They need to hear from us loud and often!

Thanks,
Dan Long
President
IASC
=========

In case you are not sure how to contact your state representatives, follow these directions below. As you may recall, the Governor is closing these parks in order to “balance the budget.”

To contact your STATE legislator, go to www.ilga.gov to find your legislators' Springfield phone numbers (the one with a 217 area code). Click on "Legislator Look-up"
If you prefer to write a letter, their mailing address is listed also. Or, dial 217/782-2000(Capitol switchboard) and ask to be transferred to your legislator's office if you know the name

2008 Summer Picnic Update

Welcome back. It’s hard to imagine snowmobiling when the temperatures are over 80 degrees and so is the humidity. However, warm weather does give us the chance to work in our gardens, enjoy the pool and be able to recognize each other on sight rather than by the winter garb we are wearing. Also, warmer temperatures mean that it’s picnic time.

We hope you remembered to save Sunday, August 10 for the Annual Rusty Runners Snowmobile Club Picnic. We are meeting at the same place as last year: Hammel Woods, Crumby Recreation Area. Thank you, Helen Bacza, for getting our picnic permit and locking in our spot early. We are hoping that the high humidity from last year does not return. Paul Mueller will be back at the grill. We will be serving hot dogs, brats, and hamburgers. The club will provide meat, buns, and water. Plan to bring your own beverages, and a dish to share: salad, appetizer, or dessert. Do plan to arrive around noon so that you can enjoy the hot food when it’s ready. Volunteers are needed to help with the following areas: Setup, Clean up, Activities and bringing supplies for the Picnic. We would really appreciate your help, large or small. Every year the picnic has been a success, but it would not be possible without our members’ support.
We need you to RSVP by August 6, so that we can plan accordingly. We know plans change, but your response will give us an idea of how much food to buy and how many children will be attending. When you RSVP, tell us how many are attending and the children’s ages. You can either email Linda or call the Storks at 630-739-5535. Thanks in advance. And yes, there will be some extra food in case there are last minute additions.

Directions:
From Hwy 59, take Black Road East a short distance to the picnic shelter (in the Crumby Recreation Area) watch for signs. Click here to see a map of Hammel Woods.

Snowmobile Trip to Oregon IL (Region 3)

According to the weatherman, the Chicago area has had the most snow in 24 years. With that kind of information, how could you not want to go for a snowmobile ride in Illinois. After checking the IASC website and determining that they had plenty of new snow, Ken Curry, Ron and Linda Stork went west to Oregon IL to explore this new area. They had not ridden in this region before and were eager to see what kind of riding was available. Oregon IL is located in the southern portion of Region 3 and is about 60 minutes west of Bolingbrook. Trails are groomed by the Tri-County Trail Alliance. These clubs have over 100 miles of trails to groom and enjoy. According to the Tri-County map, their trails will connect you to the Wisconsin snowmobile trails.

The adventuresome riders were on the trail by 1 pm and rode 110 miles each on that Saturday (February 9, 2008.) You may recall that the day started warm (35 degrees) and ended with Arctic chill temperatures. The strong wind was no friend either. The trails were well marked and light of traffic. Most trails go thru private property and offer a variety of riding conditions. Some road riding and fence hopping is necessary, too. They highly recommend the trail system and look forward to riding out there again. Next time, they will pay more attention to the distance between warm-up spots and gas stations. They had no problems but they were a little nervous about being so low on gasoline and it was cold!

If you plan to ride in this area, check out the BlackHawk SnowBlazers website. They have terrific information that will make it easy for newbies to get started. As you come in to town, be sure to stop at the Marathon on Rt. 64 and pick up your copy of the trail map. The parking area is just a little south of Rt. 64 off of Rt. 2. Be sure to check out the photos.