MTR Snowmobile Club History
This article is
dedicated to the founders and past members of The Mohawk Trail Riders.
Many thanks for the memories and records that have been preserved over
the years.
Rumor
has it, that the Club's name was thought up the winter prior to the
Club being created. The name was created when a few of the Club
members were out riding on Lake Winnisquam near Mohawk Island. It was
thought that a good name for a snowmobile club would be "The
Mohawk Trail Riders". The club logo was designed by one of our
long time and current club members. The Indian design was called
the "Happy Indian". The Club's motto, "We Have
Fun". The first patch size was 4 inches square and 100 were
ordered in May of 1970.
The
first meeting was held on December 7, 1968 at a home of a member.
Approximately 15 people were present. Recommendations were made for
who to elect president, where to hold the meetings, the purpose of the
Club and a snowmobile ride to Canada. The second meeting was held on
December 21, 1968. This meeting recorded the first election of
officers. The officers at that time were President, Vice President and
Secretary/Treasurer.
In
the early days of the Mohawk Trail Riders, membership costs were $5.00
per family and $3.00 per person. By May of 1969, the membership
totaled 27. On September 16, 1969, the Club joined the New Hampshire
Snowmobile Association and the fee was $25.00.
Important events
included volunteering time at the international Snowmobile
Races held in Loudon, NH on February 8 & 9, 1969. The
first ride to Canada began on February 22, 1969. Twelve
members participated in that ride and a good time was had by
all. The ride started in Tilton, NH, went to Wilson Falls,
Maine to a members camp, and proceeded to Woburn, Quebec,
Canada. Members stayed at the Arnold Motel located in Woburn.
This trip became an annual event. Around 1978, twenty seven
members were attending the trip to Canada.
The first three years proved
that the Club was there to stay. In March of 1970,
arrangements were made for the Club to go to the Spaulding
Youth Center in Northfield, NH, to give rides to the children.
This proved to be very enjoyable to both Club members and the
children. The Club repeated this for several years. By May of
1970, Club membership had increased to 56 members.
During the meeting on November 11, 1970, a member suggested
the Club become incorporated. By-Laws were created, and
on December 23, 1971, the Mohawk Trail Riders became Mohawk
Trail Riders, Incorporated.
In 1972, the Club
rode in the first Easter Seal Ride-In. We hosted the Ride-In
in 1981.
There were many active members
of the Club who are fondly remembered. Many contributed much
time to the Mohawk Trail Riders. The Club remained
active in continuing their rides to Canada, the Easter Seal
Ride-In's, family rides, summer picnics, halloween parties,
and holding fund raisers. During the summers, there were
several weekend camping trips to the Durand's camp, located in
Wilson Mills, Maine. Research proves Durand's camp proved to
be a land mark for the Club. Not only was it the half way
point to Canada, but the Club traveled to Maine for summer get
togethers. It appears that the Club members enjoyed themselves
whenever they got together. Members pitched in to fix any
problems, whenever any snowmobiles broke down or got stuck.
In 1987, the Club was moved to
Sanbornton, New Hampshire and continues to ride in the Easter
Seal Ride-In's, having family rides and gatherings, holding
halloween parties, Christmas parties, and having fund raisers.
The Club's motto and
purpose remains the same today. We welcome trail riders and new
members. Happy trails!
