Vintage Snowmobile Enthusiasts Descend On Monroe
Gary Moore
March 05, 2026
The Monroe Bumper Humpers hosted their 3rd Annual Vintage Ride-In and landowner appreciation event Sunday, February 22 and what a day it was. The Fairfield Road field in Monroe owned by club president Dr. Charles Hammer was alive with people from near and far enjoying the bright, sunny day while devouring delicious food, chatting with friends and admiring vintage snowmobiles.
I had the pleasure of attending the event, meeting old friends and seeing machines, I had long forgotten.
One of those old friends was Willie Minot whose photo accompanies this column. He and his wife are shown with their 1969 Skiroule SX300 which has been in the Minot family since it was new.
It was purchased from Arthur Joy Skiroule in Bath by Arthur S Minot. It then went to his brother Alden Minot and now is owned by his son William Minot and wife Brenda.
The Skiroule beside them is a 1968 now owned by Hill, NH resident Steve Punderson to whom Willie sold it six years ago. It was originally his mother’s sled.
The day featured guided trips at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. allowing many who came without sleds to get rides. I was offered several chances to ride vintage machines but time did not allow. Perhaps next year.
Food is my passion and there were plenty of delicious options including baked beans, beef stew, beef chili, venison chili, bear chili, cornbread, hotdogs and hamburgers as well as pies, cookies and brownies.
The food and beverage was by donation with landowners eating free as a thank you for allowing trails on their property.
On site to visit with the riders and others were New Hampshire Fish and Game Sgt. Christopher McKee and Conservation Officer Nicholas Masucci. They patrol the surrounding towns and were well known to many of the riders.
I was told club V.P. Dave Choate was one I should talk with as he had much to do with the event. When I told him that, he replied, “I must stress that there are other club members who do as much, or more, than I do to make this event happen. It was months in the planning. Hours and hours of trail repair and grooming, plowing of the event site, soliciting raffle prizes, food donations, making signs and posters, setup, and organizing.”
It was evident that all their work paid off with a big turnout of sleds and people, all of whom were having a great time.
Choate said, “I am a long-time collector of old sleds and I know people involved in that hobby. I participate in similar events in NH and VT.” That seems to fit the description of many I spoke with. I was surprised to learn how many vintage sleds many owned.
There was one downside to my visit. Mid-day it was warm with bright sun, ideal for being outside and enjoying the event, however, it was the worst conditions to take photos with the sun high and bright and reflecting off the fresh snow.
Bits and Pieces
Vermont Fish and Wildlife announced a Freshwater Drum caught in 2025 has been officially certified as a new Vermont state record.
In June, 10-year-old Grayson Carey of Colchester landed the record-setting fish while competing in the Lake Champlain International Father’s Day Derby with his father and grandfather. The Freshwater Drum, also known as “sheepshead,” weighed 28.5 pounds and measured 37 ½ inches long with a 29-inch girth. It beat the previous state record set in 2016 by three pounds.
***
If you or someone you know would like to go turkey hunting this spring, but they have never taken a hunter education course, this is the time to act. Vermont’s volunteer hunter education instructors are now holding a limited number of courses throughout the state.
A person must pass the hunter education course before they can purchase their first hunting license.
The courses will be listed as they become available on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website. On the Home page, click on Hunt and then Hunter Education and Find the Right Class for You.
***
Billions fewer birds are flying through North American skies than decades ago and their population is shrinking ever faster, mostly due to a combination of intensive agriculture and warming temperatures, a new study found.
Nearly half of the 261 species studied showed big enough losses in numbers to be statistically significant and more than half of those declining are seeing their losses accelerate since 1987, according to Thursday’s journal Science. The study is the first to look at more than the total bird population by examining the trends in their decrease, where they are shrinking the most and what the declines are connected to.
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on March 4, 1947: “Vermont’s greatest snowstorm ends after dumping 50 inches of snow in Readsboro, snow depths reaching 80 inches.”
March 4, 2015: “First above freezing temperature in St. Johnsbury since January 20th, a stretch of 43 days, the second longest in 130 years.”
March 7, 2011: “Tremendous snowstorm piles up 25.8 inches in Burlington, the 3rd largest on record; Jericho, VT had 30 inches, and Jay, VT 34 inches.”
Parting Shots
Last week was devoted to hospital visits. I had hospital appointments at North County in Newport, Cottage in Woodsville and the VA in White River while Linda had her’s at NVRH in St. Johnsbury and DHMC in Lebanon. In between I tried to get in some work including a board meeting one day and teaching at Windsor FD one night.
This week I had cataract surgery Monday, a follow up Tuesday and Linda has chemo Thursday, occupational therapy Friday and her pump removed Saturday. Our social life revolves around hospitals and doctors rather than eating out or attending events as we once did.
***
Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday March 8. Remember to set your clocks ahead.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2026 Gary W. Moore
I had the pleasure of attending the event, meeting old friends and seeing machines, I had long forgotten.
One of those old friends was Willie Minot whose photo accompanies this column. He and his wife are shown with their 1969 Skiroule SX300 which has been in the Minot family since it was new.
It was purchased from Arthur Joy Skiroule in Bath by Arthur S Minot. It then went to his brother Alden Minot and now is owned by his son William Minot and wife Brenda.
The Skiroule beside them is a 1968 now owned by Hill, NH resident Steve Punderson to whom Willie sold it six years ago. It was originally his mother’s sled.
The day featured guided trips at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. allowing many who came without sleds to get rides. I was offered several chances to ride vintage machines but time did not allow. Perhaps next year.
Food is my passion and there were plenty of delicious options including baked beans, beef stew, beef chili, venison chili, bear chili, cornbread, hotdogs and hamburgers as well as pies, cookies and brownies.
The food and beverage was by donation with landowners eating free as a thank you for allowing trails on their property.
On site to visit with the riders and others were New Hampshire Fish and Game Sgt. Christopher McKee and Conservation Officer Nicholas Masucci. They patrol the surrounding towns and were well known to many of the riders.
I was told club V.P. Dave Choate was one I should talk with as he had much to do with the event. When I told him that, he replied, “I must stress that there are other club members who do as much, or more, than I do to make this event happen. It was months in the planning. Hours and hours of trail repair and grooming, plowing of the event site, soliciting raffle prizes, food donations, making signs and posters, setup, and organizing.”
It was evident that all their work paid off with a big turnout of sleds and people, all of whom were having a great time.
Choate said, “I am a long-time collector of old sleds and I know people involved in that hobby. I participate in similar events in NH and VT.” That seems to fit the description of many I spoke with. I was surprised to learn how many vintage sleds many owned.
There was one downside to my visit. Mid-day it was warm with bright sun, ideal for being outside and enjoying the event, however, it was the worst conditions to take photos with the sun high and bright and reflecting off the fresh snow.
Bits and Pieces
Vermont Fish and Wildlife announced a Freshwater Drum caught in 2025 has been officially certified as a new Vermont state record.
In June, 10-year-old Grayson Carey of Colchester landed the record-setting fish while competing in the Lake Champlain International Father’s Day Derby with his father and grandfather. The Freshwater Drum, also known as “sheepshead,” weighed 28.5 pounds and measured 37 ½ inches long with a 29-inch girth. It beat the previous state record set in 2016 by three pounds.
***
If you or someone you know would like to go turkey hunting this spring, but they have never taken a hunter education course, this is the time to act. Vermont’s volunteer hunter education instructors are now holding a limited number of courses throughout the state.
A person must pass the hunter education course before they can purchase their first hunting license.
The courses will be listed as they become available on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website. On the Home page, click on Hunt and then Hunter Education and Find the Right Class for You.
***
Billions fewer birds are flying through North American skies than decades ago and their population is shrinking ever faster, mostly due to a combination of intensive agriculture and warming temperatures, a new study found.
Nearly half of the 261 species studied showed big enough losses in numbers to be statistically significant and more than half of those declining are seeing their losses accelerate since 1987, according to Thursday’s journal Science. The study is the first to look at more than the total bird population by examining the trends in their decrease, where they are shrinking the most and what the declines are connected to.
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on March 4, 1947: “Vermont’s greatest snowstorm ends after dumping 50 inches of snow in Readsboro, snow depths reaching 80 inches.”
March 4, 2015: “First above freezing temperature in St. Johnsbury since January 20th, a stretch of 43 days, the second longest in 130 years.”
March 7, 2011: “Tremendous snowstorm piles up 25.8 inches in Burlington, the 3rd largest on record; Jericho, VT had 30 inches, and Jay, VT 34 inches.”
Parting Shots
Last week was devoted to hospital visits. I had hospital appointments at North County in Newport, Cottage in Woodsville and the VA in White River while Linda had her’s at NVRH in St. Johnsbury and DHMC in Lebanon. In between I tried to get in some work including a board meeting one day and teaching at Windsor FD one night.
This week I had cataract surgery Monday, a follow up Tuesday and Linda has chemo Thursday, occupational therapy Friday and her pump removed Saturday. Our social life revolves around hospitals and doctors rather than eating out or attending events as we once did.
***
Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday March 8. Remember to set your clocks ahead.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2026 Gary W. Moore
William and Brenda Minot and their 1969 Skiroule.
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