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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-01-29, Page 9Healthier snowmobiling 16! in the classifieds "Your Arctic Cat Sledquarters" ARCTIC CAF What Snowmobiling's All About.TM Service to most makes of small engines Automotive farm and tire service 519-345-2248 Fax: 519-345-2790 Jim Bauer email: bktire@bellnet.ca Mike Kells Looking for local heroes There are so many people out there who do so much to improve their community. Now you have a chance to say thanks. Nominate that special person for the 19th Annual Citizen Citizenship Awards. Each year a committee chooses an outstanding citizen from each of the Blyth and area and Brussels and area communities to receive an award for contribution to the community. If you know someone you think should be honoured, please fill in the ballot and send it in. You may attach a longer explanation of why you think your nominee should win, if you like. If you have nominated sorheone before and he or she didn't win, please feel free to try again. I nominate q Blyth q Brussels & area & area I feel she/he deserves this award because Nomination Deadline April 30, 2004. Name and phone number of nominator as Citizen of the year for THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2004. PAGE 9. People take trips By Craig Nicholson (©2004 by Craig Nicholson. All rights reserved.) Last winter, Bombardier and Yamaha reinvented snowmobiling. The REVTM platform, the Semi- Direct Injection(SDI) 2-stroke and the Genesis Extreme 4-stroke engines provided many technological breakthroughs that are positively impacting performance, handling and environmental concerns. And after a winter of touring, I can also attest that there are many other practical benefits for riders. Perhaps the most obvious is less stink. As every rider knows, one fallout from a long day's ride is coming home smelling like a refinery. Witness the crinkled noses of other restaurant patrons and hotel receptionists when snowmobilers walk in. The lower emissions of all the new power plants are not only good for the environment, they also leave less odour on snowmobile gear. The Yamaha RX I is especially effective, with its exhaust venting behind the rider. But all the lower emission engines should reduce the sales of Febreeze, and the need for less frequent washing to remove odour should help make water repellent fabrics be effective longer. The REV platform found on many Ski-Doo snowmobile models this winter had many unique benefits. It actually improves overall comfort and enjoyment of snowmobiling by reducing or eliminating several health concerns. The new ergonomic rider-forward position straightens the back and plants the solid support of your feet and thighs directly underneath the torso. Effectively, this is the exact seating position recommended by back professionals for patients with lower back problems. For the first time as a rider, I was easily able to ride with my pelvis tilted and my stomach muscles tightened. Combined with the straight positioning of my back, the result was no lower back pain this winter. If that's not enough, the REV position also considerably reduced steering effort. And for mountain riding, it makes standing a breeze, with little shoulder or arm strain. Consequently, I never felt those muscles between my shoulder blades that sometimes tightened into a fiery ball by day's end. Moreover, a combination of easier steering and handle bar repositioning eliminated any sign of carpal tunnel symptoms — you know, that hands-gone-to- sleep, tingling that can occur during or after a ride. How often have you suffered from burning indigestion while riding after lunch? Occasionally, I had to pop a couple of Rolaids for dessert to avoid this discomfort, but one day, after an especially heavy lunch, I forgot. It wasn't until late afternoon that I realized no burning had occurred while riding a REV. I think the straight up and down position of my back also improved digestion. When I picture how impaired our systems must be crunched into a tight arch on a traditional sled, it's no wonder that things work more easily in the REV poSition. I even think there's less bladder pressure too, so relief breaks are reduced! All of these physical benefits add up to a less fatiguing day for your body. For instance, I used to have occasional neck discomfort from straining to look both ways at road crossings. On the REV, I sit more forward and slightly higher which reduces strain, and when necessary, I can also stand more easily to watch for oncoming vehicles. So instead of crawling off my sled with those familiar aches and pains, I end the day feeling like I could ride for several more hours. From a safety perspective, this outcome reduces my risk of late afternoon mishaps due to rider fatigue. I don't know if the outcomes I have described were envisioned by the engineers, but if sleds continue to offer new technology that also results in healthier snowmobiling, I won't complain! Until next time remember that snowmobilers care about the environment too. For the Tour Planner and Trail Condition Reports check out www.ofsc.on.ca and look under Trails. Craig Nicholson is a regular contributor to Snow Goer Canada's Snowmobiling Magazine. The Intrepid Snowmobiler also appears on radio and on Snowmobiler Television. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author Apologies to the Smiths. Bennett was born on Jan. 5 not Jan. 4 as reported last week. Birthday wishes to John Bentley, Jan. 31; Sarah Mitchell, Feb. 1; Wendy Phillips, Feb. 2. With the weather we've . been having Eleanor Stevenson was lucky to be on a cruise in a warm climate. Murray, Marlene, Bruce and Rhonda FisCher spent last weekend in Ottawa visiting Cassie Fischer. She is Bruce and Rhonda's daughter and is attending university in Ottawa. The Ethel rink has been a busy place these days. It is really great to see many new faces out skating, both children and adults. Andrew Versteeg is quite happy with the number of people who have volunteered their time for hockey supervision and thanks everyone who just picks up a shovel and There were 10 tables at play at the Ethel euchre on Monday, Jan. 19. Winners were: share-the-wealth, Mary Huether, Jean Schneider; high, Edna McLellan, John Subject; low, Murray reports that they skated on the Rideau Canal while there and he has a blister on his foot to prove it. They also attended an Ottawa 67s hockey game. Bruce Speiran's friends and relatives in the area extend their sympathy to him and his family on Helen's passing. Many former area people were back for the funeral in Listowel on . Saturday morning. Dart results from Cranbrook this week are as follows: first, Frank Workman, 105; highest lady, Karen Bowles, 94. cleans off the ice. One of my favourite things about the rink is having the honour of being asked to watch a child who has just taught themselves to skate or learned a new hockey move. More than that is the great conversation to be had with some of the younger community members while sipping hot chocolate on the fantastic bench Mr. Versteeg fashioned. The winter events committee is working to once again bring Snowfest to town. The hockey game is scheduled again as well as log sawing (with a cross saw), sack races, warm cider and hot dogs, tug of war with the OPP as well as a fur and trapping display and Inuit games organized by the MVCA. Larry Ward will be giving horse-drawn Leota Thompson, Leon Schneider; lone hands, Verna Crawford, Marion Behrns. The next euchre will be held on Monday, Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. FROM CRANBROOK sleigh rides and we are working on getting a dog sledding demonstration, although it has proven difficult to find mushers around here. This event is scheduled for Feb. 21. We are hoping to provide a family-oriented, low-cost (hopefully free) day. Everyone is invited and volunteers for some events are still needed. Get involved in your community, forge new friendships and feel great. I would like to take a moment to remind readers to please let me know what is going on in the community so that I might write about it. Every once in a while in life I tend to stumble upon a great hurdle. Sometimes, being parents of a young family of four, it can be a financial hurdle. Other times it might be a person and occasionally, I find I am standing in my own way. I would like to leave you with an inspiring quote from Albert Einstein, one I like to recite to friends and children who meet criticism and feel like giving up. "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." Have a g, eat week. 10 tables in play at Ethel euchre