ABA January Monthly Member Highlight: Mt. Major Snowmobile Club
ABA December Monthly Member Highlight:
Mt. Major Snowmobile Club Inc.
Every month we sit down with one of our amazing ABA members to get to know them a little better! For January, we spoke with Leslie Rentel, President and Secretary of Mt. Major Snowmobile Club. We ask each member the same questions, providing an opportunity for our members to highlight the important work that they do in our communities. If you’re an ABA Member and would like to be considered for future Monthly Member Highlights, please reach out to us via email at info@altonbusinessassociation.com
Q: Tell us about your organization?
A: The Mt. Major club is a nonprofit charter member of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association. We are the fifth oldest snowmobile club in the state of New Hampshire. We have been in existence for over 52 years. Our mission statement is to stimulate and advance the general welfare and safety of snowmobiling, to serve the interests of snowmobile owners, to develop a fraternal spirit among local snowmobile and other winter sport enthusiasts, to provide a medium for the exchange of snowmobiling information, and to perform all desirable and lawful functions for the successful operation of the club.
Q: Tell us about yourself:
A: I am the secretary and president. I have been a member for 29 years and also help maintain our 55+ miles of trails.
Q: How did your business get started?
A: I would just be guessing since I was not here in 1970.
Q: What has your relationship with the Alton Business Association done for you or
your organization?
A: The ABA has offered us many opportunities to meet and interact with other local businesses that we might not have otherwise.
Q: What do you value most about this community?
A: The small town feel and beautiful environment make Alton a wonderful location. The activities of the ABA are instrumental in promoting this. The Mt Major Club has tried to give back to the community with our involvement in these classic small town events such as Winter Carnival, Ham and Bean supper, Old Home Week, and the Christmas tree lighting.
Q: Why did you want to open your organization in this community?
A: The existence of the big lake and many miles of hiking trails made this an ideal location for snowmobiling. Over many years we have been able to gain permission from 110+ generous landowners to connect these trails into a trail system. Our corridor trail 22 then connects to the 7000+ miles of trails in the State of New Hampshire.
Q: What organization accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: We have 3 groomers, a Tucker Snocat, a Chevy Tracter, and a Skandic wide track that our volunteer operators do a very good job of providing good trails to ride on, even though they all have full time jobs. The hikers on our trails also benefit from a groomed surface and the trail brushing that we do.
Q: What does the future hold for you and your organization?
A: The changing climate, the loss of property through housing development, and the lack of volunteers makes the future very uncertain. The volunteers we have are getting older but are greatly appreciated in all that they do.
Q: What is one piece of advice you wish you had as a new organization member?
A: Learn how to engage the young people. They are your future.
Q: How can people who want to learn more about you or your business get in
touch with you?
A: We have a website mountmajorsnowmobileclub.com, a Facebook page, and hold a meeting on the third Tuesday of each month, at 6 PM, at the American Legion Post on Rte 28 in Alton, NH.
