The Fort St. James Snowmobile Club put on their annual Poker Ride on Feb. 22, a tradition more than 20 years old.
The 64 km event drew over 200 snowmobilers to the day of snow and sunshine, though it was a bit cold, it did warm up once the sun was out for awhile.
The club sold 350 poker, hands, up from last year’s 310 hands sold.
About one dozen snowmobile club volunteers were helped out by the local dog sled group volunteers.
One of the event organizers, volunteer Pam Tencarre reported participants said the trails were really great, thanks to the volunteer groomers, headed up by Ed Hill.
They also groomed the trails right after the event, so it would be in good shape for this weekend’s Caledonia Classic Sled Dog Races beginning on Feb. 28.
The proceeds from the event go towards helping to pay for some of the fuel costs involved in maintaining the extensive trail network, which this year required the removal of over 2,000 trees after some strong windstorms and given the amount of bug kill in the area.
Tencarre said she and her husband Gayle cleared 250 themselves in one day.
Snowmobilers with winning poker hands and their respective winnings were:
First: Ian Leslie $1,200 and a skimmer
Second: Sarah Henry $700
Third: Merv Work $420
Fourth: Murray Honeywell $140
Fifth: Emily Geernaert $140
