Club News Whitewater Trailblazers Snowmobile Club 50th! Submitted by Scott J. Wakefield, MnUSA Vice President
That’s right, 50 years of the Whitewater Trailblazers snowmobile club was on display in the club’s immaculately maintained and perfectly designed club shop in little charming downtown Utica, MN in Region 5. I met with and discussed the club’s history with club historian Wendell Ploetz and President Cody Heger. On display was the pristine 2018 PistenBully Trac Truck Groomer with plastic still on the passenger seat! The Whitewater Trailblazers groomer operators Wendell and Jeremy Ploetz groom 76 miles of GIA trails, connecting five other local clubs together. Those trails are on 95 different landowners’ lands who are rewarded with an annual Landowner Chicken Barbecue to thank them for letting the club cross those lands. The group’s 71 members with support from charitable gambling at the local Brewskies Bar and Grill in Utica, give generously to their local community, like St. Charles Park and Rec, Lewiston after prom, St. Charles Youth Theater, Elba Vet’s Memorial, Winona Co. 4-H, Whitewater Triathlon, South East Minnesota All Breeds Youth Show, St. Charles High School after prom party, just to name a few. As Wendall stated, the club motto, “Service to community over oneself ” is truly the mark of this club, and evidenced by the MnUSA Club of the Year plaques on display at the 50th anniversary party.
Fifty years worth of good times.
Current officers are: President – Cody Hager, Vice President – Nathan Heim, Secretary – Jen Hager, Treasurer – Pam Scherbring, Board Members – Tim Moran, Tom Ross, Matt Nuemann, Mike Bennedett, Jeremy Ploetz, Greg Heim, Jason Schuttemeier, Trail Coordinator – Cody Hager, and Gambling Manager – Jim Mickow. What a wonderful display of club memorabilia to graze over, just like the wonderful burgers, brats, sweetcorn, and all the other treats, that went with it. I certainly grazed over the food again and again, leaving a little left for others that continued to show up during the event. I can tell you this is really a diamond in the rough for those of you looking for some great trails with great hospitality; you’re going to get treated as well as I did…you’re in for some really great times.
Left: Enjoying good food, fun and fellowship. Right: 2018 PistenBully Trac Truck Groomer with plastic still on the passenger seat. 26
Thanks to the Whitewater Trailblazers Snowmobile Club for a great event, and congratulations from all of the MnUSA clubs and members on your 50th anniversary!
Minnesota Snowmobiling
