February 23 Trail Report

Forest Riders Trail Report
Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The news is...the wooded trails are still in good condition, but the snow depth on road ditch trails has decreased and made these trails compact and icy in spots.  On Sunday and Monday, the area received 1 to 3 inches of very light fluffy snow, which is not adequate for grooming.  Fortunately, the temperatures have been and will remain in the teens and 20's through the week with a chance of snow.  Think snow!

The Forest Riders trail system is comprised of many miles of trails through public and private land.  Private landowners have generously granted access to their land.  With the permission of the landowners, the Forest Riders Snowmobile Club has established and maintained a terrific trail system.  Please be respectful of the landowners and stay on the designated trails.  It is important to the future of the trail system.

Enjoy the trails and drive safely on areas where the snow has been diminished!  Check back for more updates next week!

Caution!  Before traveling on the lakes, consult your snowmobile map looking for rivers and streams coming into and going out of the lakes as these areas will have open water.  Always use good judgment and drive safely.  Remember, the lakes are not groomed.

February 17th Trail Report

The area has experienced above normal temperatures the last several days.  Fortunately, the ample amount of snow received earlier in the season has helped the groomers maintain the trails.  As to be expected, there will be open areas outside the woods where the snow on the trail has worn down.  The weather forecast is predicting that temperatures will fall into the teens and 20's on Friday through early next week and snow is forecasted for Thursday night and Friday, which will help preserve the trails.

The Forest Riders trail system is comprised of many miles of trails through public and private land.  Private landowners have generously granted access to their land.  With the permission of the landowners, the Forest Riders Snowmobile Club has established and maintained a terrific trail system.  Please be respectful of the landowners and stay on the designated trails.  It is important to the future of the trail system.Enjoy the trails and drive safely on areas where the snow has been diminished!  Check back for more updates next week!

Minnesota Folklore Theater

MINNESOTA FOLKLORE THEATER Presents from  Louise May Alcott’s famous story “ LITTLE  WOMEN “join Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy in this original play adapted by Elizabeth Lincoln Gould in 1900 opening March 25 through April 3 Fridays at 7:30 PM Saturdays and Sundays at 3 PM Tickets are $12.00 adults $10.00 Senior Citizens and $ 8.00 Students.  All performances are held at Minnesota Folklore Theater 6 Broadway Street Akeley, MN   Call 218 652 2666 for reservations and tickets also available at Beagle books in Park Rapids.

On us Saturday March 26 for a Victorian Little Women Tea enjoy a tea with all the Little Women and then enjoy the show afterwords.  Please call 218 652 2666 for pricing and reservations for this event.

CALLING ALL WANNA BE SINGERS AND DANCERS Minnesota Folklore Theater is looking for all who want to have their time on the stage.  We are casting for JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAM COAT.  Call 218 652 2666 for audition dates and locations.  Performances of JOSEPH will be held at Nevis High School in May.

February 10, 2011 Trail Report

Forest Riders Trail Report
Thursday, February 10, 2011

The groomers have been out since Monday and should be done with the trails today.  There is still plenty of snow and the cold, cold temperatures are helping to set up the snow for great trails.  The frigid temperatures of the last few days are forecasted to end today.  Warmer temperatures in the 20's and 30's are forecasted for Friday through Sunday with a slight chance of snow.

The Forest Riders trail system comprises of many miles of trails through public and private land.  Private landowners have generously granted access to their land.  With the permission of the landowners, the Forest Riders Snowmobile Club has established and maintained a terrific trail system.  Please be respectful of the landowners and stay on the designated trails.  It is important to the future of the trail system.

Have an awesome time snowmobiling and be safe!  Check back for more updates next week!

Valentines Day

Valentines Day. Roses, chocolates, cards.... but what's the history behind it? 

The history of Valentine's Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

If you have a special Valentines Day story that you'd like to share, post it here! Whether it be a romantic story or a special card created by a child in your life... We'd like to hear about it.

Ground Hog Day 2011

It looks like spring may be around the corner, according to groundhogs around the country. Most did not see their shadow. Good news for some, not for others. Those that take to winter like ducks to water, love the snow, ice and all that goes with it. Snowmobiling, ice fishing, snow shoeing, and skiing are just a few of the pastimes that winter lovers indulge in.  Some of  us yearn for more sun, milder temps, tulips pushing their way through the cold earth, getting our bicycles out of the garage, and firing up the bbq. Either way, we can count on a couple things. It will probably snow again, and it will get warm again! That's Minnesota!!