April 5, 2015
Time once again
to say Hi and let you in on all that has been going on with Caribou
Hills Cabin Hoppers. Another year with very little snow fall, but
looks like most of you have pulled out your summer toys and made the
best of it.
The T200 was
sadly missed and loss of dog musher training on the trails, we have
all enjoyed sharing the trails with the mushers and their dogs
enjoying the beauty of the Caribou Hills. Hopefully next year will
be a great snow year, we are due for a good year of snow.
The WOW ride was
also canceled due to lack of snow, but the event went on and was
bigger and better than ever. The girls did a great job with the
costumes, all were outstanding this year, and they did a great job
raising money for WOW. Kathy Lopeman, event coordinator, and her
crew, all volunteers, did a great job raising $115,000 at the last
count. This is thanks to all of you who gave what you could, the
sponsors, and all of the gift donations. Also a big thanks to
Freddie’s Roadhouse for providing a great place to have this large
event. Another big thanks to the crew at Freddie’s who helped out
Chris, Steve, Tony, Jaye, Sam, Tony Rae and Jennifer Henley they did
a great job. The money raised at this event goes to family and
friends dealing with cancer treatment and care on the Kenai
Peninsula. This year many donations and tributes were made in
memory of Lynn Pollard who lost her battle with cancer, she will be
sadly missed by her family and all who crossed paths with her.
Thanks again for all of you who helped make this a great year for
WOW.
Family Fun Day
was held regardless of no snow and slick roads, we still had a small
crowd this year, but those of you who did make it had a great time
talking with friends and family. A thank you to Jeff Breakfield who
was the event coordinator, John Blackman and Dave Ramsey on the
grill, great burgers and dogs. Also a thanks to all of you who
brought great dishes for the pot luck. Thanks again to Freddie’s
Roadhouse and the crew for helping make this a great event. A
congratulations goes out to Haley Blackman, age 4, who was the grand
prize winner in the 5 and under division, and the only participant,
she went home with lots of toys and prizes. A thank you to Don
Marsh who provided fun and prizes for the younger Cabin Hoppers.
Thanks again to all of you who made it to the Family Fun Day, we
will see the rest of you hopefully on the July 4th
party.
The ORTAB grant
for $100,000 has tentatively been approved for the purchase of a new
2015 Piston Bully 400 Snow Cat. This will finally give the club a
new Snow Cat that will last the club for at least 20 years. The
board of directors voted at the April meeting to make this purchase,
the total cost of $220,000 plus shipping. We also voted to sell the
1985 Piston Bully 200, we have had this machine for almost 20
years. Freddie Pollard bought the PB 200 for $20,000, the full
asking price, and is going to be leaving it at Freddie’s in case it
is needed as a backup, when we get all of that snow next year. We
have accepted his offer and made the sale. Also a big thank you to
Jaye Northey for all of her time and effort into applying for the
ORTAB grant to make this possible. If you have any questions on
this purchase please feel free to call me for any information you
need.
The next General
Meeting will be April 7th, Tuesday, at 6:30 pm, at
Mykel’s Restaurant in Soldotna (downstairs). This will be the last
General Meeting of this season and is also election night, to vote
for next season’s officers and board members. All of the officers
serve a one year term. The nominations this year are as follows:
For President:
Kathy Lopeman and Michelle Williams
Vice President: Jeff Breakfield
Treasurer: Shelley
Ramsey
Secretary: Jaye Northey
Board Members 3 year term: Freddie Pollard and Randy Wheeler
Hope everyone can
make it, remember this is your club you make it what it is.
Well that is all
for now except for me to say thanks to all of you for letting me
serve as your president for the last 4 years, it has been great to
be a part of this great club. I would especially like to thank my
wife Jaye for all she has done to help me with the paperwork and
keeping me on track. Also would like to thank all of the officers
Shelley Ramsey, treasurer, who keeps all of the books and pays the
bills, thanks Shelley. Thanks to Dave Ramsey who has been such a
help with the events and does all of the pull tabs, Jeff Breakfield
the vice president who keeps up on our web page and right of way
issues. Another thanks to Steve Attleson who serves in the past
president seat and helps with SAR and events you are always welcome
back to serve as an officer or on the board, thank you for your
years of service to CHCH. A special thanks to all of the board
members past and present, you have been great to work with, I thank
you for all of the time and effort you have made to make this club
work.
Last but not
forgotten are our groomer guys, they are the guys that keep our
trails open and as smooth as possible. I would like to thank you
all for your time and effort. Thank you to the operators and
grooming coordinators: Tinker (Gary Anderson), Glen Smalley (best
hair) and John Blackman. Also special thanks to the groomers: Gary
Eoff, Ken Coleman, Freddie Pollard and Larry Davis. Also a thanks
to those who have worked on and maintained our equipment, Steve
Calabresse and Paul Cooper. A thanks to anyone who I have missed, I
appreciate the help from everyone.
Everybody please
give the time you can, that’s what makes our club so special,
volunteer when you can. You all have a great and safe summer. See
you at the July 4th party.
Your past
president,
Rick Northey
