Jessica Smith
Thirty four years in, Atikokan continues its strong support for children with disabilities through the annual Snowarama ride to the White Otter Castle, Saturday January 28.
The trails should be ship shape for this year’s Easter Seals fundraiser (coordinated by the Kiwanis and Sno Ho Clubs) but even if not up to the ride, locals can show their support by pledging support for snowmobilers who do or by attending the Saturday evening dance.
“I’m urging people to come out to the dance because every dollar that’s raised at the dance stays in Atikokan and helps local children,” said organizer Monique Ribey. “It’s only $5 at the door – come out for a good time.”
The 100 km route remains the same as last year: alongside Steep Rock, Finlayson, Crowrock and Turtle Lakes, stop at Brown’s Clearwater West for lunch (courtesy of the Kiwanis Club) before heading northeast up to Clearwater and Otter lakes to the White Otter Castle.
The poker ride typically takes between three and four hours, round trip, and the Sn Ho Club will open up its warm up shelter at Crowrock and have a campfire going for riders to stop, warm up, (washroom facilities are available).
Pledge forms are available at www.easterseals.org, at the White Otter Inn, Voyageur Bait and Johnson’s ESSO, or by calling Ribey at 597-2464.
Trails “should be in good running order” for the event, said the club’s Twila Smitnsuk. “Our trail system up to Crowrock has been open and groomed for close to a month now, and we’re working on getting the back trail over to Clearwater done, so they’ll be ready.” Club volunteers also completed some maintenance to the back country trail in the fall.
Smitsnuk added that some additional snow in the forecast may make the trails even better, and north of town has already had a little more powder than the town has seen.
While Clearwater Lake froze quite late this year, early indications are that lake ice is good this year as well, and volunteers will be conducting trial runs soon.
Riders must receive a minimum $100 in pledges and purchase a $35 trail permit. Registration will take place that Friday 7-9 pm, and Saturday morning, 8-10 at the SnoHo Chalet at Minnow Pond.
The event wraps up with a dinner, prizes, social, dance and live auction at the Legion, beginning at 5:30 pm, Saturday. The dinner is free for riders and new this year, the St. Patrick’s School glee club will perform just prior to the speeches which begin at 7 pm. The dance will feature DJ music, open to requests, said Ribey.
The event continues to be strong tradition here, regardless of economic ups and downs and weather, said Easter Seals’ Rhonda Harrison. “Atikokan is one of the original Snowaramas. It’s just phenomenal. It has a strong following.”
The volunteer-run event is also held in Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Pic River, and Thunder Bay, and across Ontario, thanks to 1,000 participants in 20 communities, sponsored by local charities. “How many events are out there that are still running after 37 years?” notes Harrison, adding that this year, riders across Ontario will be entered in a draw for a Ski Doo snowmobile in celebration of the event’s long running tradition
Last year 67 riders raised $19,759 for Easter Seals, and in 2010, 80 riders raised over $18,000. Funds help families of children with disabilities to purchase essential mobility equipment and devices to the tune of up to $3,000 per year, and have helped, and continue to help, families in Atikokan.
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