Volunteers in Action co-ordinator Carol Anne Stapley welcomed 80 volunteers and landowners to the annual appreciation dinner of the Old Hastings Snow Riders at the Coe Hill Legion on Saturday evening, April 21.

OHSR has over 400 kilometres of trails, and more than 70 landowners are vital to the trail connections with Crown land.

Volunteers play a major role in keeping the club running smoothly by clearing trails, organizing events and fundraising activities.

OHSR is fortunate to have its own building in L'Amable right on the snowmobile trail to store equipment and host instructional and social events.

Even though the snow could have been higher and stayed longer, enthusiasm at the dinner was infectious.

Many areas of Ontario had no snow this winter and so our trials were busier than usual. Our members/landowners were very involved and so awards and draw prizes were generous.

Award winners were:

Shawn Jamieson - Trail Patroller of the Year

Karene Johanson - Rookie of the Year

Jennifer Hagerman - Club Member of the Year

Bob and Marg Elliott - Family Achievement Award (Club and OFSC District 2)

Appreciation plaques were presented to former OHSR members who still regularly volunteer: Marj and Dave Davidson; Merle Poste; and Bob and Winnie Woodley.

Three local businesses were honoured for their ongoing contributions: Belleville Lawn & Sport, Coe Hill Market and Trudy's Place. OFSC gas cards (draw prizes) were presented to three landowners: Willie Graf; Ron Hadley; and Dean Wilson.

President Steve Stapely ended the enjoyable evening with high praise for all participants and added, "next winter, will you be there?"

Does this mean snow or people? Probably both.

Submitted