MICHIGAN AWARDS OGEMAW HILLS NAMED SNOWMOBILE CLUB OF THE YEAR

OHSCONLINE.COM

By: Jim Kelts

The2022 Snowmobile Club of the Year was awarded to Ogemaw Hills Snowmobile Club of West Branch, MI. The award was presented at Michigan Snowmobile & ORV Association Annual Board of Directors Meeting held in Gaylord, MI on October 22, 2022.

The Ogemaw Hills Snowmobile was first formed in December of 1967, 55 years ago. At the first meeting there were 200 plus local West Branch enthusiasts and business owners. The club continued to grow and was incorporated in 1972. Over the many years there were many challenges as in any organization, but over the years of great leadership by the club’s board of directors and its membership, the club has continued to prosper.

Many years ago, then Michigan State Representative Frank Alley, had the forethought to set aside five acres of state-owned property in Ogemaw County for the purpose of developing a recreation park, which was to become Frank Alley Memorial Park. The property was gifted to the township because by law the property could not be given to the club. The club was then given a lease with the township for the property. As part of the lease a pavilion was constructed with barbecue grills, picnic tables and a bathroom facility built and maintained by the club and open to the public. Since then, the club had a groomer barn built and then another separate larger barn was built to store additional equipment and perform maintenance. Ten years ago, a club house was added to one side of the first barn for holding club meetings and other events.

The club brushes, grades, signs and grooms 104 miles of snowmobile trails during the winter snow season and grades ORV routes during summer months within Ogemaw County. This year in the fall months, the club through its volunteers, spent 700 plus man hours preparing trails for the winter season.

Every year for the last nine years the club has held a Vintage Show, Ride and Open House on the club’s grounds. This year on February 26, 2023, the club will be holding its 54th year anniversary celebration with holding this year’s Show, Ride and Open House at Frank Alley Memorial Park at 2846 North Fairview Rd. West Branch, MI. from 10am.-4pm. Vintage Ride normally gets underway around noon-ish. Last year we had 210 registered vintage sleds on the ground and of those 110 sleds participated in the 20 mile ride on of course well groomed trails. The event had an estimated 1,000 visitors from all over Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and even one who flew up from Florida just to attend our show.

The club has for the last two years opened up our facilities for a bicycling race known as the “Sasquatch Gravel Chase.” The race is hosted by and benefits MyMichigan medical patients at West Branch MyMichigan Medical Center. The race is held on two different courses. One being 18 miles and the other being 40 miles all on gravel roads.

Ogemaw Hills Snowmobile Club is very active in supporting the West Branch community. The club last year donated a total $7500 to various organizations to include a scholarship to a graduating West Branch High School student, Toys for Tots, Eastern Michigan Food Bank, Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum, and MISORVA to name a few.