MERRILL, Maine — With the annual Vintage Snowmobile Show and Ride behind them, Merrill Millstream Park organizers are gearing up for their next event … their yearly canoe race on May 9.
Last year’s colder than normal weather dropped the number of participants down to 15.
This is one of very few races in the immediate area, allowing local citizens to participate without the expense of traveling,” said Ken Bustard, race organizer. “Enjoying a Saturday morning with volunteers, racers and various spectators is just a natural high, as you can feel so much positive energy from the community.
That is just how last Saturday’s Vintage Snowmobile Show and Ride can be described — as a celebration of community — on a seasonally warm, sunny day filled with plenty of smiles.
“I would summarize the weekend the way Sheila Murchie of Hodgdon did on Facebook,” said Bustard. “She brought her grandson and she said, ‘He had a blast … 4 years old … first time sliding … and he didn’t want to leave.’ This really captures the core mission of Merrill Millstream Park, bringing community together, young and old and creating memories.”
During the day, 11 vintage snowsleds were on display, with the “newer” models making their way into the park, as riders checked out the classics and enjoyed the barbecue. Attending the day’s event were approximately 100 people.
The oldest machine was a 1926 Ford Model T brought by Wayne Campbell from Millinocket. He also brought a 1941 and a 1943 Eliason Motor Toboggan, models B and C, while Carl Bustard, Jr. of Rockland came the farthest distance, with a 1997 Arctic Cat Puma.
Gene Cunningham of Carmel registered his 1971 Johnson and he also brought a sled that was used extensively to haul children in a sled around the park.
Local participants were Dan Brown of Oakfield with a 1967 Moto-Ski that he restored himself. Also, Sydney Brewer of Oakfield showed a 1982 Bravo BR-250.
“This was Sydney’s first appearance at the event, and the youngest vintage sled owner,” said Bustard.
Curtis Harrison of New Limerick brought his 1977 Moto-Ski Nuvik; Rodney Hemingway of Houlton, who has been a consistent participant, brought his 1965/67 Huski/Ski Model 444 and finally, Ralph Bartman of Merrill had his 1989 Skidoo Safari L.
“Ralph is proud of the fact that he rescued this Skidoo from going to the junk pile, and fully restored it this past year,” Bustard added.
Each person who registered a vintage sled received a commemorative bottle of maple syrup from Spring Break Maple & Honey in Smyrna.
The show and ride raised a total of $360, but Merrill Millstream Park will receive about $250 for park enhancements after taking out expenses.
“There is no entry fee and the food was sold at a nominal price to make the event affordable,” said Bustard. “This event is not put on solely as a ‘fundraiser,’ but rather is intended to be a community event, bringing people together, as well as sharing a little piece of history with the younger generation.”
There was free coffee, hot chocolate and sweets available throughout the day.
“Without question, of the three years we have put this event on, this was our banner year,” Bustard explained. “Several factors contributed to it being such a success.”
First, the weather. Last year, it was bitterly cold, but this year was near perfect conditions. Secondly, the event was moved from February into March for more seasonable temperatures.
“This was the best year for kids getting rides on various snow machines and being hauled around on sleds,” Bustard added. “Gene Cunningham of Carmel was particularly instrumental in this part of the weekend, going almost nonstop hauling groups of kids around the park behind his 1971 Johnson.”
An unexpected pleasant surprise was that each child received a gift bag, made possible through a donation of Kohl’s of Bangor. The gift bags included Disney items.
These were excess Disney items that Kohl’s sold, with the net proceeds benefiting children’s programming at Eastern Maine Health Care. The donation was realized through a collaborative effort between Families and Children Together (FACT) of Bangor and Bustard, a MBA who is an accounting/financial consultant with FACT and just so happens to chair the Merrill Millstream Park Committee.
“Many people expressed their surprise and extreme pleasure when their kids and/or grand kids received such a quality gift bag,” Bustard said. “The canvas bags included a puzzle, book and either a Pluto or 101 Dalmatians character. Some kids were lucky enough to get both characters. In the two prior years, we had some very nominal handouts, but nothing compared to the quality of this year.”
Finally making the day a success was the number of children who came to play in the park.
“We had 20-plus in attendance and the best sliding ever,” Bustard noted.
The sliding was made even better by Bill Nadeau, who lives across from the park. He used his excavator to pile lots of snow up, making the hill even higher and faster than would otherwise be under natural conditions.
“It is this kind of community support that leads to a successful weekend,” Bustard said.
As with all events at Merrill Millstream Park, the volunteers are the backbone, said Bustard. Those helping this year were Ralph and Cindy Bartman of Merrill; Ken and Pearl Bustard of Bucksport; Andy and Jill Bustard of Merrill; Shirley Drew of Oakfield; Alberta McDonald of Merrill; Dan Brown of Oakfield; and Carl and Derrick Bustard of Rockland.
The Merrill Millstream Park will be busy over the summer and fall, as the committee is planning some new events, including a movie night and an apple cider day. The Oakfield Fire Department will be sponsoring their annual “Family Fun Day” in July; the popular and well attended “Cruise In and Lobster Feed” is on track for Labor Day weekend and the second annual Mike and Heidi Memorial Ride is set for Sept. 19.
For more information on Merrill Millstream Park, call Bustard at 659-2018 or 825-1088. Information can also be acquired by calling the Merrill/Smyrna town office at 757-8286.
