     The Optimist Club of Arcola held its 27th Annual Snowmobile Rally on Saturday, January 25. Registration began at 9 a.m. and ran until about 1 p.m.
        Blake Brownridge is the president of the Optimist Club and Glen Lawson is the secretary-Treasurer. This year’s Rally chair is Rod Lees.
        The Optimist club has been operating for about 40 years. The first rally was started by a group of snowmobilers to raise money for the community theatre restoration. Funds this year will go to Prairie Place Complex and towards the purchase of equipment for the Stars Ambulance landing site at the Arcola Hospital. Proceeds in the past have gone to the playpark and campground in Arcola, as well as numerous projects in Carlyle, Lampman and other local area communities.
        Prairie Place Complex was once again a hive of activity for this event, that has attracted some years, over 500 participants.
        Those attending purchase and draw cards to complete a poker hand. The rally runs a similar format from year to year.
Sledders can venture out on a marked trail and take in a bonfire and concession stand on their ride.
        This year the Carlyle and Area Food Bank served chili and baked potatoes with all the trimmings at Prairie to start off the day and then finished with a meal of ham and perogies at the completion of the trail ride.
        Numerous raffles and draws were made and presented at conclusion of the event.
        Once again this local event was made possible by a myriad of area sponsors and volunteers.
        Note: The following update was submitted by Glen Lawson.
        The snow conditions were not great, but riders did enjoy groomed trails in Moose Mountain Provincial Park.
        We did hold our annual Trail Stop sponsored by Canadian Energy Services at the Horse Lake Shelter. The
trails are maintained by the Moose Mountain Snowmobile Club. We had about 220 riders and gave out about $10,000 in rider prizes on Saturday Afternoon.
        Events at Praire Place Hall in Arcola included Breakfast by the Arcola and District Fire Department, concession by the Carlyle & District Food Bank sponsored by Ridgeline Agriservices and the Beer Gardens sponsored by JJ Trucking.
        The 50-50 draw for over $700 was won by Rick Heidinger.
        Raffle table items were won by Darlene Freitag (Hilberg & Berk Jewelry), Tim Englot (TV), Tannis Wilson (Ice Fishing Package) and Mary McNair (Power Tools).
        The Lottery, with machines from Terry’s Yamaha Weyburn, was drawn at 5:30 PM. Keegan McKay of Regina first place ticket won the choice of a Yamaha snowmobile, sidexside, quad or a pair of beginner snowmobiles.
        Terry Nixon of Redvers and Mike Calfas of Stoughton each won $1000.
