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Red Parka Pub Challenge Cup Bumps It Up With New Fundraising Goal And Strategies

~ Photo courtesy of Laura Lemieux, photo from the 2017 race.

BARTLETT, NH- The Red Parka Pub Challenge Cup Committee is setting a tone this year for the running of the 45th Annual Challenge Cup Race, taking place on March 16, 2018. The committee is looking to shatter its fundraising goal of $10,000 and “bump it up” to $15,000 this year. The race, which is held at Attitash Mountain Resort, is the second largest fundraising event for the Eastern Slope Ski Club, a nonprofit that provides ski equipment and helps in ski development programs in the Mt. Washington Valley.

The committee plans to reach its goal through new fundraising strategies including a PledgeReg, where racers can raise additional funds beyond the racing fee to compete for prizes. The race fee is $65 in advance and registration takes place online at skireg.com. Racers can opt-in for the PledgeReg and those that raise $300 or more will have their race fee waived. Individuals or teams are both eligible to compete for separate grand prizes for raising the most money.

Keeping with its theme, “Bump It Up” will be the race slogan this year and the committee is working on new race swag for spectators and racers to purchase during the event. Proceeds from merchandise sales would go to the cause.

In addition, the Bib Draw Night which takes place on Thursday, March 15 at 6 p.m. is open to the public and includes a ton of raffles. All pub patrons are eligible to enter the raffle.

“We want to make it accessible for everyone to experience the fun of the Red Parka Race, and a lot of that happens off the hill,” said Terry O’Brien owner of the Red Parka Pub and Event Director. “So, even if you can’t race this year, you can stop by the pub on the night before The Cup and contribute to the cause!”

The Red Parka Pub Challenge Cup Race is a 21+ race. The registration fee is $65 and includes a lift ticket, guaranteed two runs on the course, an official race hat, a raffle ticket and a free dinner at the Awards Ceremony served by the Red Parka Pub in Ptarmigan’s Pub after racing concludes. Registration is now open and a link can be found on redparkapub.com. Race day registration is $75.

Story contributed by Laura Lemieux
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Riders Face Tough Tail Conditions On Tri-State Reciprocal Snowmobile Weekend

~Photo Courtesy of Craig Oesch

CONCORD, NH – Thousands of snowmobilers from Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and beyond descended upon the trails of the North Country despite poor trail conditions to enjoy the Tri-State Reciprocal Snowmobile Weekend.

Reciprocal weekend allows snowmobiles legally registered in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont to operate on trails in all three states from January 26th through the 28th.

Captain Dave Walsh, who oversees enforcement and safety education for Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle activities in New Hampshire said “Due to recent warm weather, trail conditions were reported to be marginal in most places in Coos County, with little to no riding throughout the rest of the state.”

The annual Tri-State Reciprocal Snowmobile Weekend is a boost to businesses in northern New Hampshire and throughout the state. The event is considered one of New Hampshire’s largest snowmobiling weekends.

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Vermont Man Injured In North Country Snowmobile Accident

 

PITTSBURG, NH (AP) – New Hampshire conservation officers say excess speed appears to be the cause of a snowmobile crash that injured a Vermont man.

Officers say the 48-year-old man from West Topsham, Vermont, was operating a snowmobile on the Waterfall Brook Road in Pittsburg Saturday afternoon when his sled rolled over while he was trying to make a right-hand turn at an intersection. His riding partners found him injured and went to summon help.

First responders from Pittsburg and conservation officers found the victim riding on a snowmobile. He was taken to the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Officials did not release his condition.

Officials say the crash is still under investigation, but unreasonable speed appears to have been a primary factor in the crash.

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Conway Woman Named To Union Leader’s 40 Under 40

28-year-old Jessica Wright of Conway was nominated to the Union Leader’s 40 under 40 ~ Photo courtesy of Greta Rybus

CONWAY, NH – A local woman has been named to the Union Leaders 40 under 40.

28-year-old Jessica Wright of Conway was nominated to the program, which recognizes some of the state’s brightest young achievers who have a record of professional and volunteer accomplishments in New Hampshire. This year’s class honors 28 women and 12 men from across the state.

Past honorees include Bode Miller, Kelly Ayotte, Frank Guinta, Jodi Piccoult, and John E. Sununu.

Wright, who grew up in the Valley, works at the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust, a local land conservation non-profit focused on “preserving land for community benefit”. Her work at the Land Trust draws on both her Master’s degree in Environmental Law and Policy and her undergraduate degree in Business Management. She is a founding member of the agricultural collaborative, Mt. Washington Valley Eaters & Growers (MWVEG) and chairs the young professionals group, STAY MWV. She also sits on the UNH Cooperative Extension Advisory Committee for Carroll County and Governor Chris Sununu’s Millennial Advisory Council.

A reception and awards program, sponsored by Citizens Bank, will be held on March 14 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit unionleader.com/forty.

For the full profile of all the members of this year’s 40 Under 40: www.unionleader.com/section/news0202. For more information on the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust: www.usvlt.org, Mt. Washington Valley Eaters & Growers: www.facebook.com/MWVEG/, STAY MWV: www.staymwv.com, UNH Cooperative Extension: extension.unh.edu/Carroll-County, or the Millennial Advisory Council: www.governor.nh.gov/millennial/index.htm.

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6 More Weeks Of Winter!

 

PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA – The Worlds most famous groundhog weather man has made his forecast.

This (Friday) morning Punxsutawney Phill saw his shadow predicting 6 more weeks of winter.

According to folklore if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on February 2nd and see its shadow there will be 6 more weeks of winter like weather. If the groundhog doesn’t see its shadow then the spring season will arrive early.

In reality a special group on Gobbler’s Knob, a small hill outside Punxsutawney Pennsylvania decides ahead of time what Phil’s prediction will be.

According to Wikipedia Phil is accurate about 39% of the time. He has predicted more weeks of winter 103 times and an early spring only 17 times.

 

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Jackson Ski Touring Foundation Opens New Story Book Trail

Representatives from Story Land (including Duke The Dragon), Jackson Public Library, and students from Jackson Grammar school gather for the ribbon cutting of Jackson Ski Touring Foundations new Story Land Book Trail ~ Photo Courtesy of Dorothy Lane

 

JACKSON, NH – The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation has teamed up with Story Land to bring some classic tails to life on the trails. Jackson Ski Touring is opened up the first of two new Storybook Trails added to their trail network.

Guests got a look at the new trail located behind the Jackson Public Library during the grand opening on Thursday.

Deb Deschenes from Jackson Ski Touring said “we’ve decided to name this trail behind the library after Story Land. They have been extremely generous in the signage and they’re absolutely beautiful. So this trail will be named The Story Land Book Trail”
 

Duke The Dragon from Story Land came out to celebrate the grand opening of the new Story Land Book Trail at Jackson Ski Touring Foundation. ~ Photo Courtesy of Dorothy Lane

 
Guests at the Grand Opening included representatives from Story Land, Jackson Public Library, students from Jackson Grammar school, and special guest Duke The Dragon. 

Deschenes said that on the less than 1k loop will offer outdoor enthusiasts a chance to read a story while exploring the beautiful Jackson wilderness. “you’ll be able to read a story as you ski, snowshoe, or even walk around this loop. From one sign to the next you’ll read a story, and we’ll be changing those stories out every week.”

For more information about the new story land book trail Jackson ski touring foundation and their new trail go to Jacksonxc.org.