Maine snowmobile club makes 90-year-old’s dream come true

ST. FRANCIS, Maine (WABI) - A local snowmobile club recently made a 90-year-old woman’s lifelong dream come true by giving her a ride in their trail groomer.

Barbara Mentzer of Pittsburgh was visiting Maine with her son David, who has been snowmobiling in Aroostook County for nearly 30 years. When David stopped by the St. Francis Sno-Angels Snowmobile Club clubhouse last Sunday to warm up, he mentioned in conversation that his mother had always wanted to ride in a groomer.

Mentzer, a former avid snowmobiler who can no longer handle being on a sled, still loves being out on the trails.

The club’s groomer operators, Craig and Vic, immediately offered to fulfill her wish.

“They showed up, and we got her in the cab. And I told Vic, I said, well, maybe we’d just make a little loop around, but she wanted to go for a ride. So, we ended up taking her half a mile down and turning and coming back a half a mile. And when she got back, she was smiling from ear to ear. It was amazing,” Ouellette said.

When asked how it felt to see her reaction, Ouellette said he was moved to tears. “We made it happen,” he said.

Groomer operators to be recognized

Trail grooming is often an unseen job, but this weekend operators like Craig and Vic will be in the spotlight.

Saturday marks the inaugural National Snowmobile Groomer Appreciation Day.

Lakeview Restaurant in St. Agatha is hosting a celebratory event from noon to 4:00 p.m. Lunch is free to all snowmobile groomers who attend.

You can learn more information about the event on Facebook.