January 6 2006

The weekend of February 26, 2006, the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF) will be holding its 17th Induction Ceremony to recognize three very deserving individuals from the snowmobile community for their dedication and accomplishments to the sport of snowmobiling. It is an honor to present this prestigious award to Clyde Seely, and posthumously to Robert ( Bob ) Clough, Sr., and Governor Meldrim Thomson, Jr.

Clyde Seely from West Yellowstone, Montana will be inducted as a Volunteer Organizer for his dedicated contributions in helping to retain public access to our lands for all to use. His dedication to snowmobile and other related organizations helped to bring a workable solution on accessing Yellowstone Park by snowmobile. Clyde also worked on trails to keep them safe for users, assisted related organizations as an advisor in program development, and most importantly he continues to be a leader in protecting the right of access to our public held lands for all to use.

Bob Clough Sr. from Moose Lake, Minnesota will be inducted as a Volunteer and Club Organizer. Bob’s contributions helped to bring Minnesota’s Grant In Aid program to what we see today. Bob has been dedicated to building trails, organizing clubs, promoting rides for charitable organization and as an advisor in developing related snowmobile programs for others to follow.

Meldrim, Thomson, Jr., past Governor for The State of New Hampshire, will be recognized as a trail and program developer. Nicknamed the Snowmobiling Governor, Governor Thomson realized the impact snowmobiling could have on his state. This governor not only talked the talk, but he walked the walk and on many occasions he pitched right in and helped to build trails. He was very supportive in the development of New Hampshire’s Statewide Trail system and he signed into law legislation which created the first in the nation Bureau of Off- Highway Recreational Vehicles.

Abe Mathews, Sr. Hibbing, Minnesota will be recognized with the prestigious Allan Hetteen Award of Merit for his vision and manufacturing of the Trailmaker, an All Season Vehicle. The Trailmaker was one of the first summer-winter track-type vehicle manufactured with skis for the winter and wheels for the summer. These early years of all season vehicle innovations helped bring the design of the snowmobiles we have today. This award is sponsored by Am Snow Online and co-sponsored by the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.

The International Groomer Operator of the Year program will recognize Ross Garrett from Burk’s Falls, Ontario as the 7th groomer operator to receive this special award sponsored by Arctic Cat, and coordinated jointly with the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.

On Friday evening ISHOF will host a hospitality program to recognize the land owners and volunteers, because without them there would be no snowmobile trail system. They are the heart and heart beat of our sport. During the evening there will be an opportunity to visit with this years inductees and their families.

At the request of many snowmobilers, The International Snowmobile Hall of Fame will present a new award this year that will recognize a volunteer member from the All Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota, ( ATVAM) for educating others on partnering together between snowmobilers and other trail users where feasible.

The weekend activities starting Friday morning the 24th through Sunday the 27th of February, 2006. will be hosted at the Wendigo Motel and Conference Center, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, The Induction and Banquet Ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 25. Also, the weekend will be filled with snowmobile related activities at the same location.

One of North America’s Largest On-the-Snow Grooming Demonstrations will be co-sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and ISHOF. The Demonstration will be held on Friday and Saturday, February 24th and 25th . Displayed will be trail groomers and drags, along with grooming implements for ski trails.

The Antique Snowmobile Club of America along with the Vintage Club of America will be displaying some of their unique snowmobiles two weeks prior to the ISHOF weekend in the Central Square Mall located down town Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and at the Wendigo Motel and Conference Center during ISHOF’s event.

This year it will be the fifth year for the "Ride with the Legends", where snowmobilers will be able to ride along with the Legends. Elmer Cone, International Snowmobile Hall of Fame’s President,, will lead the Legend ride to a snowmobile destination where they will have time for pictures, visiting, and refreshments.

The induction weekend will afford an opportunity to enjoy the fast growing and beautiful City of Grand Rapids, and enjoy the many miles of Minnesota snowmobile trails and other atractions. Please RSVP for the induction and banquet dinner by contacting ISHOF. Contributions for Silent Auctions items, or donations may be sent to the below address.

November 30 2005

The weekend of February 24, 2006, the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (ISHOF) will be holding its seventeenth induction ceremony, to recognize these very deserving individuals from the snowmobile community for their dedication and accomplishments to the sport of snowmobiling. It*s an honor to name Robert ( Bob ) Clough, Sr., Clyde Seely, and Meldrim Thomson, Jr. for this prestigious honor.

Bob Clough Sr. from Moose Lake, Minnesota will be inducted as Volunteer and Club Organizer for the contributions of his dedicated time in helping to bring Minnesota’s Grant In Aid program to what we see today. Bob’s time spent on snowmobile issues was all volunteered, whether building trails, organizing clubs, or promoting rides for charitable organization. He also volunteered his time as an advisory in developing related snowmobile programs for others to follow.

Clyde Seely from West Yellowstone, Montana will be inducted as Volunteer for his dedicated contributions of time to help preserve access to our lands for all to use. Clyde’s dedication to snowmobile and other related organizations has helped bring a workable solution to access our great Yellow Stone Park by snowmobile. Clyde worked on trails to keep them safe for users, assist related organizations as an advisory in program development, and most importantly he is a leader in protecting the right of access to our public held lands for all to use.

Meldrim Thomson, Jr. past Governor for The State of New Hampshire will be inducted as Trail and Program Developer for his contributions in helping to bring the great sport of snowmobiling in the State of New Hampshire to what we see today. Governor Thomson did not need to be convinced that snowmobiling could become a primary sport and recreation for his State’s citizens. Through his administration, New Hampshire was the first state to establish a Bureau for Off Highway Vehicles.

The seventh groomer operator to receive Arctic Cat’s International Groomer Operator of the Year Award will be Ross Garrett from Burk’s Falls, Ontario. He will be introduced at a reception following Fridays activities and demonstrations, with the award presented during the Induction Ceremony Saturday. The groomer reception is being sponsored by Arctic Cat and co-sponsored by the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.

Abe Mathews, Sr. Hibbing, Minnesota will be recognized with the prestigious Allan Hetteen Award of Merit for his vision and manufacturing of the Trailmaker, an All Season Vehicle. The Trailmaker was one of the first summer-winter track-type vehicle manufactured with skis for the winter and wheels for the summer. These early years of all season vehicles innovations helped bring the design of the snowmobiles we have today. This award is sponsored by AmSnow Online and co-sponsored by the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.

The weekend event will be hosted at the Wendigo Golf Club Hotel, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, February 25, 2006. The Induction and Banquet Ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 25. Also, the weekend will be filled with snowmobile related activities at the same location.

One of North America’s Largest On-the-Snow Grooming Demonstrations will be co-sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and ISHOF. The Demonstration will be held on Friday and Saturday, February 24th and 25th . Displayed will be trail groomers and drags, along with grooming implements for ski trails.

The Antique Snowmobile Club of America and the Vintage Club of America will be displaying some of their unique snowmobiles. They will display their unique snowmobiles two weeks prior to the ISHOF weekend at the Central Square Mall in Grand Rapids, and at the Wendigo Golf Club during ISHOF’s event.

This year it will be the fifth year for the "Ride with the Legends", where snowmobilers will be able to ride along with the Legends. International Snowmobile Hall of Fame’s President, Elmer Cone, will lead the Legend ride to a snowmobile destination where they will have time for pictures, visiting, and refreshments.

The induction weekend will afford an opportunity to enjoy the City of Grand Rapids and enjoy the many miles of Minnesota snowmobile trails. Please RSVP for the induction and banquet dinner by contacting ISHOF, any contributions for Silent Auctions items, or donations may be sent to the below address.