Haliburton County Snowmobile Association

THE HCSA ASKS EVERYONE TO RIDE WITHIN THE BOUNDRIES OF OUR HEALTH UNIT.. . Read the complete The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs release at the top of our Facebook feed Thousands of kilometres of trails are showing either Green or Yellow on the Interactive Trail Guide (ITG) for local riding. The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) has a new tool to in ride planning.... Blue boundary lines will help you to stay within your own public health region while riding available OFSC trails and enable you to plan your local rides more easily while complying with public health measures. No trailering at this time to destinations that are not in your public health region, especially with companions who are not members of your immediate household. Avoiding rides outside your local public health regions and only riding local trails when availability shows as Yellow or Green on the ITG. To see the new look, click here.... https://ofsc.evtrails.com/

Groom, groom, groom. #groomingfortourism It's what we do. - Team HCSA For the latest conditions in real time https://ofsc.evtrails.com/#

CHECK THIS OUT.. . See Haliburton's winter in real time. New this season the HCSA SnoCam. Your eye on our snow. Click on the link... http://hcsa.ca/snocam/... ---- And for your business, a sponsorship opportunity? Interested ? Please contact us at info@hcsa

Members of the HCSA Trails and Grooming Team at the top end of our trails, HCSA #16. Fun, games, downed trees, mud, waterholes, and brush. In search of our next door neighbour Tall Pines Snowmobile Club !

So many of our supporting businesses are a part of this effort. Including our 2021 Trail Guide advertisers and others. The HCSA asks you to give them every consideration and please share this post. Thanks !

Volunteers in Action . . .

More work in the background, these pics of our valued volunteers on HCSA #5 brushing, clearing and being socially distant. Thanks all for pitching in. Every twig and helmet wacker makes a difference

For the latest trail conditions https://ofsc.evtrails.com/

Out and about at the top end of our trails #16 where we meet Tall Pines Snowmobile Club #64 Posting our updated 2021 Trail Guide sign boards and checking things out. .

FROM WASHOUT TO WONDERFUL.. (The Before and The After) Our friends at The Dysart Roads Dept look after this section of TOP "B" near Trail 10 in our off season. Locally it's called "The Peterson" out Harburn way.... Background: Peterson Road, built in 1863 to settle the area, large portions are overgrown and abandoned. Other sections make up TOP "B" and TOP "E" trails in the HCSA's area. Ride this one and you are on a route older than Canada. Snow ready ! Now we can go visit our pals The Paudash Trailblazers. Can't wait ! Thank you Dysart et al !!!!!!!!!!!!

#BuyCloseBy this Holiday Season Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce

HCSA GETS "NEW' GROOMER. Our second Pisten Bully and a freshly rebuilt drag. Full details in the accompanying post.

Question: "How much snow did you get ?" Answer: "This much." Question: "Have you purchased your trail permit yet ?"... https://www.ofsc.on.ca/permits/ See more

And the the "First Snowman of the Season" award goes to HCSA Landowner, Cheerleader, Eatery, Pitstop and more; Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve.. .

Wonderful story in this week's The Highlander newspaper about our good friends and HCSA cheerleaders the McDonalds. John and Holly have hosted so many of you over the years from the Lakeview with direct access to B103....

HELP WANTED This is about the safety of the HCSA grooming team, the people who take care of your trails. The HCSA is addressing poor two way radio reception and performance. We have several deadspots with no reception over our 370 kilometers (they don't call this place The Highlands for nothing:). This project involves an overhaul of groomer antennas and the radios in our five groomers. We have found the right person to look after this challenge. Now the HCSA has been adv...ised we need to find something called an antenna tuner. For you radio buffs: An antenna tuner has conductors and capacitors that match the feeder and reduces the SWR. Our understanding is these gizmos are not cheap. Donations, loaners, free-bees would be appreciated. The old cliche; "it's all about price"; it's true! "Free is a good thing." the HCSA asked hopefully What's out there? Who is out there? 10-4 from Team HCSA

The wind gets up and down they come.... all over the place. :( B112 near Mount Minden

HCSA RECEIVES $800 DONATION ! "The Kennisis Lake Snowmobile Club" a small but spirted group of riders who support us and our neighbour to the north Tall Pines Snowmobile Club have made a donation to the HCSA. Over the late summer months the group sold wall etchings of area lakes. The proceeds from the artwork sale were donated to the HCSA and Tall Pines. Our share is $800 dollars ! We are so fortunate to have exceptional and generous cheerleaders. Every donated dime will be spent wisely, we have jobs galore. You make such a difference Graham Beach , Kennisis Lake Snowmobilers, and Kennisis Lake is Better Than Your Lake !

An HCSA Tribute To A National Symbol We pause for a period of inspiration.. The beaver spirit animal symbolizes ingenuity and persistence when it comes to work. When the beaver totem appears to you, you are being encouraged to be diligent until the task is completed. The beaver meaning also speaks about productivity and achievement... If a beaver waits beside the snowmobile trail as you pass by this could be intentional. A beaver is a water animal, which deals with our emotions, subconscious, and dreams. Beavers are native to Canada and considered icons by everyone except the HCSA ! Fact: There were an estimated six million beavers in Canada prior to the start of the fur trade (circa 1650) and most of them were in Haliburton. The Background: It was just another lunch at Ted and Mary's out Harburn way. The food was on the table and they were about to sit down and eat . Mary looks out the window and says; "this the creek has really risen". They eat as Ted watches the creek rise and rise and rise; 2 feet in 15 minutes ! Ted investigates only to find a 100 foot long washout on TOP B (The Peterson). Oh joy. AGAIN !!!! The Score: Beavers 1 HCSA 0 If this was a best of three we would clearly be the loser as the beavers did it to us last season in the same spot ! Footnote: The HCSA is currently not looking for work. We have lots on the go.

For Immediate Release September 16, 2020 POSTPONED Due to COVID-19 Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show ... October 23, 24, 25, 2020 - International Centre Sept 16, 2020: We would like to start off by thanking the powersports community for their unwavering support for the upcoming Toronto Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show, we appreciate all of the supportive phone calls, emails and social media postings regarding opening the show in October. However, we have come to a point where we simply cannot get a firm answer from the Ontario Government on what the regulations and restrictions are in regard to opening a Trade Show come October. We have fought tooth and nail to work with Health officials to safely open, and we have offered even more precautionary measures in our reopening plan than the local malls and big block stores, and still we are left without firm answers, and finally to only be pushed back again. At this time, we have no choice but to make the decision, and for our exhibitors, we regrettably are forced to cancel the 2020 Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show. Again, we have fought for the powersports industry and we as enthusiasts are greatly disappointed that we were not able to come through. Please take care, and stay safe, and we hope to see you at TISAPS 2021, October 22, 23, 24, 2021. Sincerely TISAPS Staff Email: [email protected] www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

And now the weather... . Tonights overnight low is brought to you by the HCSA.. . .

This is especially addressed to our followers to the northeast in Whitney and Barrys Bay. We know you are out there. Please consider helping this tiny but spirited group the Opeongo Snowbirds with some of the most pristine trails in Ontario. They are our friends, next door neighbours, and Snow County Snowmobile Region partner, The situation is dire. Massive ridership not many boots on the ground. Its "bottom of the 9th two men out and Casey at bat" Lets cheer them on. Opeongo Snowbirds Snowmobile Club - District 6 we are really rooting for you. - Team HCSA PS We are talking about the RAP tour here !

Here it is! John Enright.... Volunteer of the Year at HSCA! Once again, John is our Media, Facebook and Map guy. His witty humor has earned him the reputation of a guy who walks the walk and is always available for a chat. His accomplishments with the club are numerous and his tireless efforts are greatly appreciated. To name a few: Mainstream media to the HCSAs re-branded message "You have not seen Haliburton until you have seen it on a snowmobile. On Snow Magazine who ...did a feature on the "RAP" trail. A special award presented to the HSCA from the Pinestone Resort Staff, thanking us for giving them a place to work in the winter. John is exceptionally active and in charge of engaging our Facebook community currently with 4200 followers. "Trail Talk" with the HCSA, weekly on Moose FM/Radio in Haliburton. Guesting on Canoe FM with 2 feature interviews. Inception of the "FAR" Loop trail became a reality and paved the way for the HCSA 2020 Trail Guide advertisers and revenue using local resources. Johns effort also landed HCSA in Canadas national newspaper the "Globe and Mail" in the Toronto drive section when he lead "Tiaga" Motors E-Sled team on a ride from the Pinestone through private land trails. Through Johns dedication and Leadership, the HSCA did all this and more to set things up for our milestone year 2021! OUR 50TH ANNIVERSAY John with Margo Ross, the Volunteer Coordinator, accepting his award at our AGM last Saturday.

A VIRTUAL PRESENTATION TO THE COUNTY OF HALIBURTON WARDEN AND COUNCIL FROM THE HCSA Good morning from the HCSA ! Can we please interrupt your Monday morning for an announcement from the Haliburton County Snowmobile Association ?? ... Did you know you have three superstars in your midst ? Amanda Virtanen, Eric Casper and Thom Lambert. The County Tourism Department has gone above and beyond in supporting our not so little organization. They help market an HCSA snowmobile tour aimed at non snowmobilers, the FAR Loop, (Forest and Rail), they take our calls and even return them:), they answer emails, take random questions, cheer us on, bug us for Trail Guides, sponsor our Trail Guide, coach us on social media, and so much more more. Your/Our County Tourism Department is quite simply the best. You are indeed very fortunate to have such a great trio at 11 Newcastle Street. On behalf of the HCSA we present the following plaque (attached ) virtually. We would have preferred to crash the end of a council meeting, be ruled out of order and do this in real time ! We will leave the plaque at the front desk. Only 13 Fridays til winter ! #groomingfortourism Happy Monday and think snow !

We have one more very important posting that is in the works as I await a photo to arrive. I feel that this is too important not to post today. We have another Hero in this club and I was honoured to present this award to him at the AGM. JOHN ENRIGHT... VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR HCSA John is our media, Facebook and map guy and he is amazing! A most worthy description of him will soon follow so stay tuned everyone.

Its not too late to get your business on the 2021 HCSA Trail Guide. Drop us a line on here or [email protected]

TRAILSIDE HEROS ! THE ELMO AWARDS ! At our annual meeting.. Every business has frontline workers. Meet the boys of winter, the HCSA Grooming crew. Each and everyone of them is an award winner. They never quit, never stop trying are out there in all kinds of weather in the middle of nowhere, so we can ago somewhere. ... Movies get Oscars, Music has Grammys, TV its an Emmy. Groom snowmobile trails. Nothing; Nada, Zero. Introducing.. . THE HCSA ELMO AWARDS Whats an Elmo ?? Who is Elmo?? Elmo Lymburner is our most senior groomer operator and has more hours in the chair than most other operators in all of snowmobiling. 35 years experience. Elmo just shows up and makes it level ! He is our rock star, but we dont tell him that (he is not on Facebook :). The Elmo Award is for Groomer Operator of the Year. This past season the judges ruled it was a tie Ted Roberts and Brian Howe. Congratulations. THE "SLAVE 37" AWARD This award is for our Rookie of the Year. Noah Black took the job on with so much enthusiasm and willingness. Noah is also one of five new HCSA Directors. Bonus! Some photos of our superstars, what they do , what they have to put up with...

Some other odds and ends from our annual meeting. We had 36 people turn out, and many new faces, thats a big number ! Some years we dont have enough for a bridge game:). For social distancing we set up on the shop floor six feet apart, masks on entry and everyone signed in. etc. Our board is expanded to 10 Directors, up 3 from last season and 5 of them are brand new. The Board will select, Pres, VP, Secretary etc in the next few days. We promise to send a puff of smo...ke up the chimney when we figure this out. :) Another winner of a volunteer is Tom Nicholson a man who wears many hats; Secretary/Treasurer and Manager of the HCSA building. Tom does everything from taking our minutes to changing out light fixture ballasts. He has been at this for many many years and is so deserving of a Long Service Award presented by our Volunteer Coordinator Margo Ross. !

A SUPERSTAR STEPS BACK She is indeed very special, does not say much, never complains and goes about her business single handedly (womanly:) post pounding,stakes and posting HCSA trail signs in the Highlands terrain. Nuts, bolts, and posts galore at her house, in her car, at our shop, all over the place. She knows every curve, blind spot, intersection and road crossing, inch by inch of our 370 kilometers. By sled, by ATV, by car, by foot, no matter the weather. What...ever works. The HCSA trails are Liz Jessemans backyard. What a playground ! Whitney to Kinmount, Pine Springs to Paudash. All posted and maintained by our Liz with the greatest of care. Liz logs about 5,000 kilometres a year making sure its all good on our trails and that the signage is up to standard, on top of that, theres more miles by ATV and her car to get it done ! In her spare time and to relax she rides and rides and rides enjoying our vistas and beyond. After many (10ish) years its time to call it a career. Thank you Liz for working so hard to show thousands the way around Haliburton on a snowmobile. Without you would still be out there not knowing which way to turn :) ! We celebrate this exceptional volunteer. Now the good news, Liz will still be in the picture as advisor and coach when her time allows. She will be missed. A lot Shown here, HCSA Volunteer Coordinator Margo Ross and Liz. A token of appreciation and a couple of action shots Liz at work.

A stellar AGM turnout ! An Expanded Board of Directors and new faces. 99 days til winter!A stellar AGM turnout ! An Expanded Board of Directors and new faces. 99 days til winter!

SEE YOU THIS MORNING , 11 AM. WE HAVE LOTS OF NEWS & DONT FORGET YOUR MASK

OH BOY. . . BIG THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY OF HALIBURTON FROM ALL OF US AT THE HCSA. The County has done a staggering amount of work on the southern portion of TOP B103 (The Rail Trail) between the Howland Junction Bridge and Geeza Road ... The seasons crazy weather with heavy rains and torrentials did BIG damage as you will see in the accompanying photos. Using their own people, trucks, rigging, machinery and experience they carried the work out. More than two dozen massive tandem loads of material from 4" gabion stone down to regular gravel, crazy amounts of filling in, grading, spreading and here are the results. All of this in the middle of a pandemic, and soldiering on despite huge problems thanks to beavers and weather on its regular roads. It gets better; total cost to the HCSA and snowmobiling $0 !!! We invite you to follow County of Haliburton and "Like" them. We "Like" them. A lot ! If you wish to send flowers, a thank you note, a holiday season card or Valentine the address is County of Haliburton 11 Newcastle Street Box 399 Minden On K0M 2K0 Great job ! Thank you so very much

After many months of social distancing we decided it was time for our kids to go outside and get some fresh air. Left to right, Holly, Bully, Arbee and Casey. We love you very much. Sadly missed is Hollys twin who passed away from natural causes last February. We are hoping to adopt. #groomingfortourism

2021 TRAIL PERMITS ARE ON SALE Please make the HCSA your club of choice. To order your 2021 OFSC Trail Permit go to www.hcsa.ca You will need your snowmobile info handy. If have a sled on the way or are about to buy one order a gift card. Easy peasey. #groomingfortourism

We have a plan to keep club volunteers and snowmobilers safe, We have a plan to keep snowmobile trails open, and We are confident in delivering an enjoyable sno...wmobile season across Ontario, wherever opportunities exist. Check out our latest news: https://www.ofsc.on.ca/category/news-release/ See more

This landmark gets a refresh thanks to the Big Hawk / Little Hawk Lakers. Cant wait to ride by it this winter. Near HCSA #11 & TOP B

MEETING IS TODAY PLEASE SHARE THIS POST The Haliburton County Snowmobile Association is holding its Annual General Meeting, 11am, this Saturday September 12, 2020 at the HCSA Shop, 171 Mallard Road, Haliburton. In the Industrial Park. We will recap our financials, trail grant funded projects, grooming performance, other business, and elect a new Board of Directors. Expressions of interest as an HCSA Volunteer or HCSA or Director would be welcome. Covid 19 and social di...stancing protocols are in place. Wearing a mask is mandatory. For further info: [email protected]. Everyone welcome Address 171 Mallard Road, Haliburton, On Reminder: Dont forget to wear a mask

RETRO SUNDAY. . . Do you remember this ? From our early years. A cover from one of our Trail Guides. Speaking of which we are out selling advertisements for this years edition (2021). Its not too late to get your business in front of a great audience. HCSA riders ! For further info drop us a line on here or by email [email protected] #groomingfortourism

VOLUNTEERING Snowmobilings biggest challenge, no matter the size including the HCSA. This is what happens when people dont step up and prefer just to ride. An epic club, our friends, next door neighbour, around for 4 decades, a Snow County Snowmobile Region partner much more ! We groom to their doorstep at Whitney and they take it from there maintaining a key portion of TOP "B" heading east toward Barrys Bay and Pembroke. ... We are very sad. This is Cheryl Dunlop Reid to Opeongo Snowbirds Snowmobile Club- District 6: " Last nights AGM was once again a huge disappointment. Our hard working team of volunteers that have given our time and personal resources for the past 20 years and we are DONE. We have been begging for help for years. Lucas Braap is the only new person to offer to help drum up some future support to salvage the club and trail system. We wish him luck. Opeongo Snowbirds Snowmobile Club has been a member of the OFSC for 40 years. This is likely its last. On behalf of myself, my family, the rest of our small team of volunteers and the few businesses in the Barrys Bay Area that have supported us over the years THANK YOU! "

PERMITS ARE ON SALE NOW ! Please make the HCSA your club of choice. To order your 2021 OFSC Trail Permit go to www.hcsa.ca You will need your snowmobile info handy. If have a sled on the way or are about to buy, one order a gift card. Easy peasey. #groomingfortourism

2021 Trail Permits are on sale a month early ! Go to www.hcsa.ca and click on the link to order. #groomingfortourism

2021` TRAIL PERMITS ARE ON SALE NOW ! Go to www.hcsa.ca

Its all systems go! Get your 2021 Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit today and support 30,000 kms of trails, 300 groomers, 6000 volunteers and 18,000 landowners. ...Plus, buy online before October and take advantage of a limited-time Rider Advantage Bonus. Full details online. Visit permits.ofsc.on.ca and get your permit today!

Looking for random "on the snow" pics of our grooming fleet on HCSA trails. Would love to see what you have. Thanks

YOUR PERMIT DOLLARS AND WHERE THEY GO...

SAFE HAVEN RESORT TO CHANGE HANDS.. The sale of Safe Haven Resort trailside on TOP "B" in Algonquin Highlands next to the Peter Overington Bridge. You have ridden by it many many times. HCSA President Dave Lloyd and family move on to lifes next adventure. To say they will be missed seems inadequate. All of us wish you every success in your next adventure. - Team HCSA

HOW THEY DOES WHAT THEY DO ! Volunteers in action ! They only got drenched twice in passing showers as the rest of us stayed dry. These people make a difference and they make it better all of us on this very busy trail. Be part of that difference and consider helping out. We have much to do on and off trail.... TOP B112, between Gelert and Minden at South Lake the small bridge over Kendricks Creek. Replacement of several 3 x 6 deck timbers and installation of 2 x 6 wear planks. And off we go to the next job........ . Care to join us ??????????

BREAKING NEWS FROM THE OFSC. NO PERMIT PRICE INCREASES FOR THE COMING SEASON ! Fee Stability & New Rider Advantage Bonus This Year. Permits go on sale September 1st at 9 am...Continue reading

Summertime at the HCSA... An evening view of the Burnt River at the Howland Junction Bridge on TOP B103

Thanks HCSA followers for helping SIRCH Community Services. You make a difference during this very challenging time. We had a very nice note from our friend Gena ! "We have had some donations from members of the HCSA. Since COVID hit, weve provided over 10,000 free meals to residents in need, plus 8,000 soups and servings of fruit! Were just doing a survey to find out what we might expect in the fall/winter and frankly it looks like the needs may get worse before they... get better. We are doing what we can, along with the food banks and others." Gena Robertson Executive Director SIRCH Community Services --- And just what is SIRCH . From their Facebook page.. . "At SIRCH Community Services we have spent the past 30 years focusing on the development of programs and resources for the sole purpose of helping individuals and families to live a better life. We are proud of the work we have done, and the programs, services and resources we continue to develop and offer. Our innovation and expertise remain the backbone of all that we have done and will continue to do in the future." We invite you to follow them.

Summertime at the HCSA...... TOP B near B103 on the FAR LOOP.

BIG HAWK LAKE MARINA changes hands in the heart of our trails (TOP B). Ron and Kathy Socha have been great supporters of the HCSA over the years. We wish them all the very best.

A message from the Mothership... Summer is anything but quiet for the OFSC and ditto right here at the HCSA..

KEEP THIS DATE OPEN: SATURDAY SEPT 12TH @ 11AM OUR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT THE HCSA SHOP/CLUBHOUSE 171 MALLARD RD HALIBURTONKEEP THIS DATE OPEN: SATURDAY SEPT 12TH @ 11AM OUR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT THE HCSA SHOP/CLUBHOUSE 171 MALLARD RD HALIBURTON

Summertime at the HCSA.....

A Ground Breaking Moment... A winter warm up with heated washrooms is coming to downtown Haliburton thanks to the Rotary Club of Haliburton and the Municipality of Dysart et al. A ground breaking ceremony and the new build is underway. Steps from the downtown snowmobile parking area (in background), right next to the caboose. Cant wait !! 137 days til winter. Those in the know are hoping for an opening early this winter.