Recent News (update)
A member has reported that their two snowmobiles were stolen from a covered carport in the 900 block of 16th avenue SW in Cedar Rapids.  They were not insured for theft. 
The snowmobiles were on a Triton 2 place tilt trailer with a black salt shield and with a black mesh tarp covering them.  The entire outfit was taken. 
The red sled is an '02 Yamaha Viper and the gray/yellow sled is an '03 Arctic Cat.
Arctic Cat VIN# 4UFO3SNW23T312915
Yamaha VIN# JYE8FB0082A001174
If you have seen these, or have any details about this theft, please contact Cedar Rapids police or Linn County sheriff.
Please help!
Here is a picture of the snowmobiles.

An update.  One of these sleds was recovered from the Independence area.  It had been repainted and some parts were missing but it was mostly intact. 
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Another member has reported a stolen snowmobile from behind Odies in Ely, Iowa.  The theft occurred Saturday night, 1/26/08, around 9:30 PM.
The sled was a 2007 Ski-Doo Renegade Blizzard 600 SDI.
VIN# 2BPS BX7D47V000465
The sled was the model with a white hood and white stripe on the seat.  She also had the Ski Doo black and white skis on it so it's somewhat unique.  
I copied the email I received below.

My daughter has spent a lot of time working odd jobs & baby sitting to earn money over the last couple years to help pay for this sled. She picked it out herself – spring checked it and was devastated to have it gone like this. This is total BS!
If anyone saw anything or heard of anything that can be help in arresting the son of a bitch who took it please let myself or the Linn County Sheriffs office know. I believe you can call in anonymously.
I am also offering a $1000 reward for anyone who provides the information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the aforementioned SOB.  

The Linn County Sheriffs office is 319-892-6100

My cell is 319-560 4779

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Chappies Dry Dock in Shueyville opened!  

Shuey's is also now open in Shueyville.  It is located next door to Chappies in the old Lakeview Grocery location.

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Group Governors Volunteer Award.
At the August 2007 meeting a letter was read informing our club that we have been selected to receive the Group Governors Volunteer Award for our volunteer work on trails, local community and State projects.
We are honored to be receiving this award and are appreciative of the recognition.
The award was presented at a ceremony in Ottumwa on September 5th.
Three members were present to accept the award on behalf of the club.
             
Mel Rinehart, Governor Chet Culver, Brian Stanerson and Thayne Lowman.
Thanks go to all the members who have worked on trails and made this recognition possible.

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   Groomer Repair Work        

     Top row.  Dave Sherman starts splitting the track.  Dave removes the old seal guards which cannot be used with the new wheels.  Mel Rinehart removes the track adjuster for rebuild.  The wheels are replaced with solid rubber ones along with the rear suspension unit.  Dave tightens the bolts after the track goes back together.
     Middle row.  Right side is split and old wheels removed.  Rear flex unit before replacement.  After replacement.  You can see the improvement over the old fatigued one.  Wheels on and ready for the track.
     Last picture shows the unit ready to go.  Note the unit sits more level.
Thanks go to Dave Sherman, Mel Rinehart and Bruce Voight for getting this work done.

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        Members assist DNR staff with playground.
On Friday April 27, 2007 members of the club assisted DNR staff in constructing playground equipment at the campground on the south finger of Macbride State Park.  Two sets of equipment were erected in about 6 hours.
3 members of the Snowdrifters (Thayne Loman, Brian Stanerson and Mel Rinehart) assisted 10 members of the DNR staff and 2 representatives from the equipment company in erecting the equipment. 
Here are some pictures.

Nice job!  Fill the holes with concrete, cover with sand and it's ready to use.

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To get a better understanding of how the grant process works please click on this link and read the information from the American Council of Snowmobile Associations.   www.snowmobilers.org/docs/ACSA_GRANT_FUNDING_MANUAL.pdf
You'll find that the entire RTF (recreational trails fund) is funded by the off road federal gas tax collected. 
Enjoy!

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                                Trail GPS Work}

The Iowa DNR has requested all snowmobile clubs record their trails using GPS.  This will allow a master State record of all trails.
Members of the Snowdrifters (Bruce Voight and Mel Rinehart) completed this task March 11th 2006, after two days of driving and riding the trails.
Here are a couple of pictures.  Just click on them to enlarge.

The single line distance on our trail system is now just over 132 miles.  Roads with trails in both ditches will add to this total.

For the 2006 season, the Snowdrifters absorbed some existing trails from the Eastern Iowa Snow Chasers to our west.  The Snow Chasers has ceased operations and there was interest in keeping the trails open.  Spring of 2007 saw those trails GPS'd and now the Snowdrifters system has over 150 miles of trails.   

         MOWER PURCHASE
The Snowdrifters Inc. acquired a used Holder tractor with an 88" cut front mounted flail mower in 2004.  It's powered by a 65 HP 3 cylinder turbo-charged diesel.  The unit is a 4 wheel drive articulating and oscillating model.  
This will be used in addition to the ATV pulled 48" mower to get our trails in tip top shape.  This new mower can do in two passes what took many passes with the small mower.

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    KEEPERS OF THE LAND AWARD

The Snowdrifters were nominated in 2003 for the Keepers of the Land award, in the "group" category, by the Department of Natural Resources. 

We were very honored to be nominated as there were only 9 "groups" nominated in the entire state.  We may have been the only motorized group nominated.
Although we didn't win the State award, we were recognized with this certificate for our participation.

      NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY
The Snowdrifters Inc. participate in this program each year.  Here are some pictures of past projects.

Constructing a bridge on Trail #8 September 20, 2003.  This new bridge is in line with the bridge constructed for National Public Lands Day in 2002.  The corner of that bridge can be seen on the left side of the photo.

                         
Here is the hard working crew during construction.

                        
Here the bridge is finished and the crew is ready to celebrate.   Great job!

Please email us pictures or interesting news.
SledMeister@iowa-snowdrifters.org

Thank You