Fans of vintage snowmobiles raise $800 for Friends for Life

GAYLORD — Local fans of vintage snowmobiles (25 years or older) have organized Vintage Days, an annual charity riding event.

The first ride took place last February and raised $800, all of which went to Friends for Life.

Friends for Life is a group that supports Otsego County Animal Control’s “no kill of adoptable pets” policy, educates the public on pet care and raises funds to help with the cost of sterilizing dogs and cats.

“We donated the money to Friends for Life to use as they wanted,” said club member Bob Springer. “They decided to use it for their cat spaying and neutering clinic.”

According to Springer, Friends for Life was chosen because many of the club owners have rescued dogs and cats of their own. The club members have decided that all future funds raised from Vintage Days events also will go to Friends for Life.

“We got the idea to organize a Gaylord event because a lot of us go to the Relic Ride snowmobile event held every year at Steuben in the Upper Peninsula,” Springer said. “They usually have around 300 riders entering.”

Gaylord’s Vintage Days event attracted about 50 riders. About half were from Otsego County, and the others were veterans of the Relic Ride, traveling from the Upper Peninsula, Kalkaska and downstate to participate.

“I got to decide where the donation went, but I’m not the one who organized the event,” Springer said. “Chris and Michelle Marks did all the true work of putting it together. If weren’t for two local businesses — Funfix.Com donated the custom-made T-shirts we sold, and New Century Signs donated the registration stickers — we would never have made that $800 we donated.”

The next Friends for Life clinic will provide $25 sterilization for male cats, $55 for female cats and $15 vaccinations for dogs and cats. It will take place Friday, May 18, at Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies, 1415 W. Main St., Gaylord. Call Bud Jones Insurance Agency at 786-2269 to schedule an appointment.

For more information about the annual Vintage Day ride, call Springer at 732-3773.

Article source: http://www.petoskeynews.com/gaylord/news/pnr-fans-of-vintage-snowmobiles-raise-800-for-friends-for-life-20120501,0,4074688.story?track=rss

Ready, Set, Snowmobile. Safety Tips from Foremost Insurance Group

A perfectly snow powdered trail and an awesome machine equals a wonderful world of snowmobiling. Foremost® not only insures snowmobiles, we have experts on staff that provide knowledge and know-how for snowmobile enthusiasts.

Grand Rapids, MI (PRWEB) January 27, 2012

A perfectly snow powdered trail and an awesome machine equals a wonderful world of snowmobiling. Foremost® not only insures snowmobiles, we have experts on staff that provide knowledge and know-how for snowmobile enthusiasts. Snowmobiling is a popular pastime and weekend or week-long trips seem to be the ideal way to spend winter free-time for snowmobilers all across the country.

“Safety plays such a big part of any of the outdoor products we insure. Snowmobile safety is especially important, noting that most accidents could possibly be avoided by following simple safety steps,” says Kevin Henry, senior product manager. “Here at Foremost, we focus on the steps our customers can take to make their adventures as safe as they can be.”

Foremost recommends that safety come first when preparing for a snowmobile trip, whether it’s a day, weekend or week. These tips will help you prepare and enjoy your next adventure on your sled:

• Know the law. Check with the local DNR, law enforcement agencies, dealers and clubs to make sure you follow all the rules in the area where you are riding.
• Gear up. Always wear protective gear such as a safety-certified helmet, warm gloves, a windproof outer layer and boots.
• Think ahead. Preparation is key during a long snowmobile ride. Check out the complete list of trip items on Foremost.com.
• Tread lightly and respect nature. Ride only in areas where it’s permitted. Wait for enough snow to cover vegetation, avoid running over trees and shrubs and don’t disturb wildlife around you.
• Maintain control and stay sharp. Keep your speed right for the conditions and your experience. Be aware of current terrain, visibility and weather conditions, potential hazards or obstacles. Ride only when your senses are sharp. Never do drugs or drink and then ride.
• Check it out. Be sure your snowmobile is running properly before riding. Review your owner’s manual. Follow the recommended service schedule and be sure an authorized service provider makes all repairs.
• Take a friend. It’s more fun — and safer — to ride with a friend along.
• Be careful crossing roads. Stop completely and make sure that no traffic is approaching from any direction.
• Slow down at night. The slower you go, the more room you have to stop. Also, avoid riding along road shoulders at night where your headlight, and those of street traffic, could cause confusion.
• Beware of water. Drowning is a leading cause of snowmobile fatalities. Never cross over a frozen lake, pond or stream. You run the risk of breaking through the ice, and starting, stopping and turning are more difficult due to less traction.
• Know you’re protected. Be sure you have proper insurance coverage to protect your vehicle and provide liability coverage in case someone gets injured or property is damaged during the use of your machine.

Foremost wants you to be safe in your travels. To learn more about Foremost products or to share feedback, visit http://www.Foremost.com, our blog at blog.foremost.com, our Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/ForemostInsurance or our Twitter page at http://www.Twitter.com/Foremost.

A part of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies®, Foremost Insurance Group (“Foremost”) has been a leader in personal lines insurance since 1952. Foremost is headquartered in Caledonia, Michigan. Farmers is a trade name and may refer to Farmers Group, Inc. or the Farmers Exchanges, as the case may be. Farmers Group, Inc., a management and holding company, along with its subsidiaries, is wholly owned by the Zurich Financial Services Group. The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange), including their subsidiaries and affiliates, owned by their policyholders, and managed by Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information about Farmers, visit http://www.Farmers.com, or http://www.Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance.

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Noelle Kimble
Farmers Group, Inc.
(616) 956-4289
Email Information

Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/ready-set-snowmobile-safety-tips-foremost-insurance-group-180237555.html

Local women join 25th anniversary FWO snowmobile ride

Whitehall residents Diane Goss and Joni Johns, and Montague residents Laura Hires and Lisa Mickelson, will help carve a path in the snow leading to independence and success for children with disabilities during Easter Seals Michigans 25th Anniversary For Women Only (FWO) Snowmobile Ride at Alpine Lodge in Gaylord, Michigan from February 3-5, 2012.

Article source: http://www.whitelakebeacon.com/news/26493-local-women-join-25th-anniversary-fwo-snowmobile-ride