SSA Receives Member of the Year Award 2009

SPRA Past President Randy Kinnee (left) with Barry Bradshaw, SSA Chairman
The SPRA Member of the Year Award 2009 was presented to the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association for outstanding achievement in the improvement of parks and recreation in Saskatchewan.

Chairman's Award (previously known as the President's Award)

Long Time Board Member Receives Celebrated Award

Emily receives Chairman's Award from Barry Bradshaw

The SSA said “Happy Trails” to long time Board Member Emily Grimes at the Diamonds in the Snow event on June 20, 2009.  Emily, the founder and Chair of the Diamonds in the Snow, retired after serving 13  years on the SSA Board.

Barry Bradshaw, Chairman of the SSA, presented Emily with the Chairman’s Award, recognizing Emily’s many achievements and contributions to the SSA.

These contributions included:

· Elected as an SSA Board Member in 1996

· Elected as SSA Secretary/Treasurer in 2008

· Developed and Chaired the Diamonds in the Snow Awards

· Co-Chair of the Trail Fund Committee

· Original Founding Member of the Forest Fringe Snowmobile Club

· Organized the Esker Bear Inc. while living at Lower Fishing Lake

Emily was involved in many projects as a Director of the SSA.  “She has the uncanny ability to be a very good listener and always has a question to ask if things are not clear,” says Barry Bradshaw.  “This is a trait that more people need to have.  I sometimes thought she was just keeping the rest of the Board on their toes.”  As Emily always said.  "Right On!!!”

Emily will be dearly missed by the Board and Staff of the SSA.  Thank you Emily, for your many years of dedicated service!!

Previous Recipients of the President's Award:

2008 - Prairie Women on Snowmobiles

2006 - Ray LaLonde & Clay Serby

1999 - Ed Redekop & Betty Redekop

1995 - Carolann Langstaff & Al Langstaff

1992 - Art Bilous

SSA Chairman Inducted

Barry Bradshaw Inducted Into Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame

Barry Bradshaw, Chairman of the SSA was inducted into the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame at their 14^th Induction Dinner at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton on May 9, 2009.

Barry Bradshaw took up snowmobiling in 1970.  He still averages over 10,000 km’s per season.

He was active in Yorkton’s first snowmobile club, the Yorkton Trail Blazers.  The club worked with the city to host the snowmobile races during the annual Sno-Sho.

Barry has been involved with Snowarama, the fundraiser for Easter Seals, since its beginning in 1977 and has been the Events Chairman since 1986.  The yearly event has raised more than 1.3 million dollars.

In 1990, Barry was the founding President of the Yorkton So-Riders Club.  He was responsible for getting city permission for trail access in the city.  He is still active as a director and is responsible for coordinating the grooming of 500 kms of trails.

Barry was elected to the Board of the SSA in 1992 and then became President and is now Chairman.  He helped to organize the first snowmobile trade show in Yorkton in 1993.  He worked with the Saskatchewan government to establish mandatory trail passes with legislation being passed in 2006 to include trail passes in snowmobile registrations.

Barry assisted with the first Prairie Women on Snowmobiles’ ride for breast cancer and continues his support each year.  He writes editorials for the Saskatchewan Snowmobiler which is a special section of SnoRiders magazine that is available in Western Canada.

Barry operates Sled Treks Guided Snowmobile Tours, taking groups and individuals on safe but adventurous tours for up to a week in duration.  He has represented the SSA at the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations and at the International Snowmobile Congress.

In 1990, Barry received the Special Achievement Award for his involvement with Snowarama from the National Snowmobile Foundation.  He was the SSA Volunteer of the Year in 2005.  In February 2008, he was inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in Eagle River, Wisconsin.

For his involvement I the sport of snowmobiling as a participant, organizer, fundraiser, administrator and advocate, the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Barry Bradshaw!

Prairie Women on Snowmobiles Inducted into ISHOF - February 2009

The 2009 ISHOF award above was presented to the Prairie Women on Snowmobiles (PWOS)  from L to R: Debra Zazula (PWOS Van Driver), Carol McSymytz (PWOS Vice President), Shannon Scott (PWOS Treasurer), Elmer Cone (ISHOF President), Rhonda Dressler (PWOS Secretary), and Daphne Wickstrom (PWOS President).

The Prairie Women on Snowmobiles were officially inducted in to the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in a ceremony held February 27 & 28, 2009 in Grand Rapids, MN (USA).  It was a fantastic event and ever so humbling when you see the pictures of the people who have been inducted in the past.  The PWOS thank each and every past and present member of the PWOS for their hard work making it possible for the Prairie Women to be inducted.

Barry Bradshaw and John Popoff, SSA Board Members Inducted into ISHOF - March 2008

The SSA is excited and very pleased to announce that two outstanding snowmobilers from Saskatchewan were chosen by the ISHOF committee to be inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame located in Bovey, Minnesota on March 1, 2008. Two of the SSA Board Members were chosen; Barry Bradshaw, SSA President and John Popoff, SSA Board Member. Emily Grimes, Secretary-Treasurer of the SSA , worked very hard on her nominations of Barry and John this past summer, and received word from ISHOF of their inductions. Emily made this exciting announcement at the 2007 SSA Trade Show Board/Staff Dinner. Way to go on the nominations, Emily! Induction for the winners took place on March 1, 2008 with Barry, John, Chris Brewer, SSA CEO and Board Member Ron Tulik on hand for the induction ceremony and banquet. Barry and John accepted their awards from SSA CEO Chris Brewer and ISHOF President Elmer Cone. Congratulations Barry and John on this prestigious honor!

The Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association nominated Carrot River Agencies for the Outstanding Organized Snowmobile Related Company award, SnowTrax Television for the Outstanding Snowmobile Promotion and Development of Snowmobiling award and Jeannie Brewer for the Outstanding Snowmobiler award to the CCSO SEA awards.  Jeannie Brewer was the only one able to attend the CCSO SEA Awards Banquet on June 14, 2008 in Boise, Idaho to accept her award.  Also attending were SSA CEO, Chris Brewer, SSA President Barry Bradshaw and his wife, Bev and John Popoff and Bill Ziegler, SSA Board Members.

Carrot River Agencies - Perry Cavanaugh purchased the business in 1983 and has always been an avid supporter of organized snowmobiling. Perry volunteers to oversee the advertising campaign for the local club. Each year he contacts the businesses to advertise on special signs along the trail and he raises over $5,000 to help with grooming expenses. As a business owner Perry understands the economic impact of snowmobiling to his community. Every club would love to have the support of their business leaders as willing volunteers like Perry Cavanaugh.

SnowTrax Television - SnowTrax Television is broadcast in over 8 million households in Canada (plus 64 million in the USA) and have worked in partnership with Tourism Saskatchewan. They showcased a portion of the extensive SSA trails system concentrating on features including accommodations, restaurants, Saskatchewan’s proud prairie hospitality and love of the outdoors. By having Deputy Minister Clay Serby, SSA President Barry Bradshaw and CEO Chris Brewer interviewed on the SnowTrax episodes, it reconfirmed the high level of commitment that Saskatchewan has shown towards the safety, promotion and future of organized snowmobiling in the province. Debbie Burke works closely with local clubs and is very well known for the positive exposure and imagine of organized snowmobiling.

Jeannie Brewer - Jeannie started snowmobiling in 1967 and got her own snowmobile in 1982. Jeannie was one of the founding members of the Mountain Lake Drifters Snowmobile Club and continues to volunteer for the club today. Jeannie is currently the Treasurer and can be found helping out at fundraisers, selling tickets, working the concession stand on Canada Day, working at the grass drags, working at the fishing derby, always offering a hand or leading the group by cooking, cleaning or running the cash box or making late night deposits. As Jeannie says “Just to see the smiles on the faces of the children is thanks enough”. Several years ago Jeannie was diagnosed with breast cancer. After surgery and treatment, she decided to raise awareness. With the help of a close friend Jeannie started Prairie Women on Snow and remains a member today. On the annual ride Jeannie raises about $2,000 per year for breast cancer research and awareness. Jeannie’s hard work and determination have helped snowmobiling grow to what it is today and her continued efforts will shape the future of snowmobiling in Saskatchewan.

Forest Fringe Snowmobile Trail Assoc. and Burke Barber Win the CCSO Excellence Awards!

SnoRiders Magazine - 11th Annual Riders Choice Awards

Each year, surveys are completed and votes are cast determining the top favorites in various categories for snowmobiling.

The following destinations in Saskatchewan are our top winners for the 2009 Rider's Choice Awards:

DON'T DRINK AND RIDE