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Snowmobiling: Come to Gray for Good Time, Good Cause

March 11, 2009 - GRAY -- With more than a foot of snow falling in many parts of Maine in Monday's storm, it seems that March has certainly come in like a lion, and winter will be here for quite a while!

That is great news for snowmobilers and anyone else who wants to enjoy Winterfest 2009, taking place Saturday on Crystal Lake in Gray.

This is the fifth year that the Gray Snowolves Snowmobile Club has been sponsoring the event as a way to raise money for the club's college scholarship fund. The $500 scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who is going into an environmentally related field of study.

Events include a snowmobile fun run, an ice fishing derby, a bonfire, snowmobile rides, raffle drawings, special children's games, horse and sleigh rides, and lots of great food.

The hub of activity centers at St. Gregory's Church on North Raymond Road, just off Route 26, about 2 miles north of Gray village. The fishing derby begins at legal sunrise, with the other activities beginning a few hours later.

This year, Winterfest will also feature automobile racing on ice, which is sponsored by the New Meadows Ice Racing Association. The racing features four 15-minute races beginning at noon.

Money raised from the ice racing will benefit New Lungs for George. The organization is raising money to pay for a double lung transplant for George Carman, a volunteer firefighter for the Gray-New Gloucester Fire Department who was born with cystic fibrosis.

The costs for the transplant that are not covered by insurance total more than $300,000. Numerous fund-raising events have been held in the community during the past four years.

"This is exactly the kind of thing the snowmobile club loves to embrace – helping a member of the community," said Kim Shelley, treasurer of the Gray Snowolves Snowmobile Club. "Some of our club members are taking part in the automobile ice races to help raise money for George. We will also be asking for donations on the lake, and are bringing in horse and sleigh rides.

"This is all in conjunction with the snowmobile club, and is what we love to see. We are just trying to get people in the community to come out and enjoy the winter and have a ball."

The club has almost 60 members, and is dedicated to providing recreational opportunities for all who wish to use their trails.

"We have about 15 members who are very active, and we encourage people to join our club to help with trail maintenance and of course, to ride on our trails," Shelley said. "We have 38 miles of trails that are for snowmobiling as well as snowshoeing, skiing, hiking. All of our bridges have to be constructed to support the weight of a horse.

"The great thing with snowmobiling is that 95 percent of our trails are on private property and with snowmobiles, at the end of the season, there are no marks. But we love to have people out using our trails. In fact, I was just out snowshoeing, packing down the trails. It is cold in Maine, but it sure is beautiful."

Event organizers are hoping for a big turnout for Winterfest, bringing the community together for a day of fun and fellowship.

"The community has been great, and a lot of businesses have donated certificates and items for our silent auction," Shelley said. "We want people to be there out on the trails and to join our club."

For more information on Winterfest 2009, such as entry fees or how to join the Gray Snowolves, visit www.graysnowolves.com; e-mail snowolves@gmail.com; or call Brad Shelley at 428-3308.

For information about the fundraising efforts for George Carman, visit www.NewLungsforGeorge.org.

For more information about upcoming snowmobiling events, visit the Maine Snowmobile Association Web site at www.mesnow.com.

CATHY GENTHNER, Portland Press Herald, March 5, 2009


Lakes: Crystal Lake, Crystal Lake
Regions: Sebago


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