Our 19th annual weekend of snowmobile trail riding was awesome. We had a blast, and hope everyone did, too. The weekend officially kicked off at noon with registration and signing up for one of our six riding groups. It was great to see the lobby of the Eagle River Inn full of the excitement of seeing old friends and the anticipation of a great ride. The trails in Wisconsin’s Northwoods were in tip-top shape.

Each group leader conducted a riders’ meeting to go over the weekend agenda and answer any questions. This year, there was a special assignment for each group to collect about 10 items to give to another group to use in a skit or song at the Saturday Night Banquet. At 3:00, everyone began leaving the Eagle River Inn, heading in different directions for an evening of fun and visiting many different area establishments for a pit stop and dinner.

The ride on Saturday is coordinated among the leaders, and every group meets for lunch at the same place. This year the Pink and Purple Groups headed north for a pit stop at Dor-Way to the North on Lost Lake. The other four groups headed south to Lone Pine Landing on the Rainbow Flowage.

Our lunch on Saturday was at Four Seasons Restaurant on Big Arbor Vitae Lake. We had a little excitement in the parking lot when Barb Fetzer ran into the parked support vehicle with her snowmobile. Luckily she was not hurt, and later that evening at the banquet, helped Sue Perry demonstrate the proper way to remove a snowmobile helmet from a victim.

Several of the groups made unscheduled stops at Greg & Sue Slominski’s new bar which is on the same lake, Slo’s Pub. After lunch, the groups followed the circle back to the Eagle River Inn, stopping at other area establishments such as Pitlik’s, Finish Line, Sportsmen’s Chalet, Thunderbird, and Vinchi’s Hillside. Everyone was back on time, because preparations needed to be made for the Women on Snow Prom—the Snow Ball.

Again you gals went way out this year on your costumes and door decorations. Among our favorites were the purple belles with the purple beehives, prom queen extraordinaire Barb Ryan, and Sue Wylie’s gown created from a vintage snowmobile suit. We never saw so many Prom Queens in one place at the same time. And you didn’t forget about the need for escorts and chaperones, either.

Sunday morning, 45 members of the Purple, Pink, and Blue Groups were led by Sally Ayers through Sugar Camp and Three Lakes, making a pit stop at a quaint establishment in the forest, Lindy’s Hideaway. We purchased two ceiling tiles to record our visit. Be sure to look for them the next time you visit— near the women’s restroom, of course.

The Red, Green, and Yellow Groups rode north to Bauer’s Dam. When the Sunday Group arrived, everyone was commenting on how great the trails have been. Owner Donna Miller introduced the girls to the bartender, who also happened to be one of Conover’s groomer drivers. The girls passed the trail grooming jar in his honor. The trails were smooth and fast—so fast, that Bev missed the turn on the way to brunch.

Laura and Jeff Korand of Eagle Waters Resort hosted our Sunday Brunch. A newscaster from WSAU-TV Channel 7 in Wausau interviewed Bev Dittmar and Laurel Frank, and it appeared on the 5:00 and 10:00 news that night. By the end of the weekend, we had logged in about 250 miles, and had lots of laughs. Thanks to the 116 women who joined us for Women on Snow. We hope you will return next year for our 20th anniversary, January 27, 28, and 29, 2006.

THE CHATTER BOX
News from Women on Snow

***Twenty-six women rode twenty-five snowmobiles for 353 miles on WOS Tour ’05. There were no break-downs, accidents, or other problems. We didn’t even get lost! The only business our support vehicle had in the three days was due to the flu bug. Our Ishpeming-Iron River excursion was full of good memories. 

***The hospitality the WOS Tour group received in Iron River was awesome. We are very grateful to Sherry Pangrazzi and her husband, Bud, Karen Bond, and Shirley Ledger for making our day. 

***The Vilas County News-Review featured an article on the upcoming Women on Snow event on the front page of their January 26th issue, and published a trio of photographs the following Wednesday of the WOS Board and participants preparing for the Sunday morning ride. The photo of the Board of Directors appears on the website on the What Is Women on Snow? page.

***The WOS Tour group attended the Groomer Show at Sportsmen’s Chalet after leaving the Eagle River Inn on Wednesday. Chuck Vogel annually sponsors the event which draws trail bosses and club officers from all over the state.

***The Last Word: Some participants of WOS display an extreme amount of loyalty to their color group. Everyone who rode past Greg and Sue Slominski’s bar, Slo’s Pub, Saturday morning couldn’t help but notice “Purple Rules” in big letters on their billboard. Somehow that afternoon, the sign was altered to read “Red Rules”, but I understand it was not there for very long. Alas, it was the girls from Iron River who got the last word in when they put “Pink Rules” on the billboard of the AmericInn for the WOS Tour.

***Gina Lennon, was named the IASC Safety Instructor of the Year at the Illinois Association of Snowmobile Club's convention held in November 2004. Gina is a regular Red Group rider and a member of the De Kane Sno-Trackers. She has been instructing for the past ten years and is known by her students as the “Snickers Lady.” Her classes have become so popular, she now teaches three courses per season, with each course covering three consecutive Saturdays. That’s dedication! What an honor to have her as part of Women on Snow. Congratulations, Gina!