To the editor:
On the weekend of February 9, my wife and myself had the pleasure of being involved with the AMHC Andy Santerre Snow-Run to raise money for the Sexual Assault Services program. The event raised over $40,000. A lot of the people that took part in the event were from outside the state of Maine and many had never seen snow or a snowmobile. There were over 125 sleds on the ride that left from the Caribou Motor Inn, on to the Washburn Trail Runners Club for a brief stop, then to the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club for lunch. After lunch the ride went on to Chapman, Mapleton, Washburn and back to the Caribou Motor Inn. The trails were perfect everywhere, thanks to the great grooming jobs of all the clubs involved: Caribou, Washburn, Chapman, Aroostook River and Presque Isle. Every one of these clubs went out of their way to do a perfect job.
The lunch at the Presque Isle club was excellent, most commented it was the best sledders’ stew they ever had. All 125 snowsledders had lunch and were back on the trails in less than one hour. Talk about being organized; it was better than a NASCAR pit stop.
The ride ended at the Caribou Motor Inn 100 miles later for an autograph session with NASCAR drivers and a social hour followed by dinner and the charity auction. During the social hour Marcus and friends provided their usual great music sound. The auction was a lot of fun with Steve Richard pumping up the crowd with his subtle auctioneering skills. There were a lot of generous bidders.
Before the ride started Saturday I stopped at an area gas station to fill my sled, the attendant asked me if I was going on the Andy Santerre ride. I said ‘yes’; he told me the boss said to roll out the red carpet for the sledders as there would be a lot of people around for the event. I think the whole county did the same thing. It makes me proud to be from Aroostook and a part of the area clubs and events.
I would personally commend everyone involved including Andy Santerre and friends PIPD, area snowmobile clubs and the many volunteers. You made the county shine!
Check out nothernmainephotos.com for ride photos.
Presque Isle
