History of the Hinckley-Pine City Flames

Hinckley Pine City Flames Snowmobile Club History as of 2007

The Hinckley Flames Snowmobile Club was formed in 1982 with three directors, Larry Mans, Melvin Leiding and Judy Oredson. On Dec. 28, 1983 the club was incorporated and nine years later, in Oct. 1992, the name was changed to Hinckley Pine City Flames to reflect the growing membership.

The club has had several presidents over the years including Jon Youngblom, Robert Von Rueden, Kevin Klar, Dale Mans, T. Allan Wolter, Dale Moore, Al Wurm, Dick Fox, Tom Wohlberg Sr., and James Woischke. The current president is Robert Veitch.

Our purpose as included in the bylaws is to endeavor to promote good sportsmanship among snowmobilers, to cultivate understanding and friendly relations with the public and each other, to regard the rights and property of others, to encourage improved standards of conduct in the operations of snowmobilers, to act as an informational center regarding new laws and regulations on snowmobiling and to provide decent and safe trails for all to enjoy.

The club members are responsible for maintaining, brushing and grooming the club’s 105 miles of trail. Club members put in approximately 1,000 volunteer hours per year to keep the trails in excellent shape for the pleasure of all snowmobilers. These activities begin in September each year with trail preparation including brushing, installing signs, constructing bridges and installing gates and, and of course it concludes with the many hours grooming during the snowmobiling season. Our 105 miles of trail connect in all directions with trails from other clubs in East Central Minnesota.

Several pieces of equipment are necessary for maintaining our trails. They include a 1993 track truck, a 1998 ASV groomer/brush cutter, a 2000 Tucker groomer/drag, and a 2005 Volvo MC 90 skidsteer/brush hog. Both groomers are used to cover the trail system 2-3 times weekly during the snowmobiling season. In addition to volunteer hours, the club contributed $129,568 for maintaining and grooming the trails.

In addition to the monies the club provides, most of the trails are funded by the Grant-in-Aid Snowmobile Trail Fund, which is administered by the DNR. The monies are from snowmobile registration fees and a percentage of non-refundable gas tax collected by the state. The dollars in this fund are generated by snowmobilers. No tax dollars are used.

An important part of our snowmobile trails is our landowners. We currently have 42 landowners who allow our trails to cross their property. Without the use of their land, we wouldn’t have a trail system. It is a privilege, not a right, that we have to earn continuously through our care of and respect for their land and property.

In June, 2001, the Flames decided to build a clubhouse and storage facility in Beroun. During the next 18 months, funds were raised and the building was completed with donation of monies from members, local business and non-profit organizations. The man hours to build the facility were provided by club members and members of the community. The central location on our trail system has been very beneficial and made our work of grooming more efficient.

One of the most important activities for the Flames is the annual snowmobile safety training for youth held every autumn. A total of 1,418 youth have been certified by ten Flames volunteer safety instructors.

We began a charitable gambling operation in 2003. From 2003 thru the end of the second quarter 2007 we have made donations to several individuals, civic organizations and governmental agencies. Some of the more notable donations include Pine City Schools - $22,754; Pine City Fire Department - $6,000; Pine County 4-H clubs - $13,700; Hinckley Fire Museum - $6,500; Royalton, Pine, Mission Creek and Chengwatana Townships - $35,100; Rock Creek Park Fund - $15,940; Pine Technical College - $6,500; Pine County - $8,200; Rush City Jaycees - $2,000; City of Pine City - $5,250; Pine City Library - $1,500; City of Henriette - $4,400; Rush City Schools - $4,500 and four defibrillators - $6,000.

Our current membership includes 88 families. The cost of membership is $30 per year which also includes membership in MNUSA, the MNUSA magazine and a $2,000 accidental death insurance policy for all family members. Anyone wishing to join can contact any club member o or by completing an on-line application. The on-line applications are located on our website at www.flamessnowmobileclub.com Meetings are held every 4th Friday of the month at 7 pm at the Beroun clubhouse.