By – Christina Smith
CHESTER– Stan Choiniere, President and Joan Choiniere, Secretary of the Chester Snowmobile Club are part of the core team that have been hosting the Chester Poker Run for several years. On average Joan states, “There are about 100 or more riders that attend this event annually”. While the poker run itself only takes a few hours to complete there are several days of preparation including putting up signs, setting the route and grooming the trails prior to the actual event. Trail Master Dick Jewett and groomer operators Glen Gustafsen and Sheldon Ghetler play a very critical role along with club Vice President, Lee Whiting, and our go to guy Mike Westine.
Stan comments, “Ultimately, the landowners who allow the club to use their property for trails are the ones who deserve the biggest thank you for without them we wouldn’t have trails”.
The Poker Run begins and concludes in Chester. Snowmobilers ride the VAST trails into the surrounding towns of Andover, Londonderry and Windham on a quest to collect poker chips. When riders have collected the chips they return to Chester to play a hand of poker.
The cost to play a hand is $10.00 and all proceeds from this event go towards trail maintenance, bridge construction and maintenance, trail equipment and community support.
Scholarships are awarded to graduating GMUHS students and donations are made to Chester Rescue Squad, Chester Andover Summer Camp Program, Yosemite Engine Company and David’s House.
Each person playing receives a prize. “Everyone is a winner,” says Choiniere. There is a variety of items to choose from: VAST T-shirts to Maple Syrup. Prizes are donated from several different sponsors, including Enfield Motor Sports, Chester Hardware, Lisai’s Market, Abernaque Car Wash, Benny’s Power Sports, Frank and Patty Companik, The Big E, Jiffy Mart, Sunoco and VAST.
The officers of the Chester Snowmobile Club will continue to hold the event as long as the riders enjoy it.
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