The Bugle

Bay State Trail Riders Association, Inc.

January 2021

Officers & Directors

President/Editor Becky Kalagher 508-476-3960

bstra@charter.net

Vice President/Clerk Carolyn Weeks 508-320-0591 bigt_weeks@msn.com

Treasurer Karen Parlin 774-293-0051 kpschip@aol.com

Recording Secretary Rose Zariczny 401-762-4805 rzariczny@verizon.net

Sharron Cochran 413-668-7606 hiddenhollowacres@comcast.net

Crysanda Boisvert 508-320-1294 alwayslight72@yahoo.com

Annamaria Paul 508-981-4907 heccateisis@gmail.com

Joan Lowbridge-Sisley 508-735-4057 joan@slopingmeadow.com

Suzanne Nicholas 508-380-2124 hc07645@gmail.com

Joyce Sandvik 617-429-1319 jskanion@charter.net

Valerie Clark 508-864-8432 Valerie.clark@snet.net

Lynn Paresky Fundraising Chair

508-476-7094 lynnparesky@aol.com

Donna Johnson Fundraising 508-883-6477 donna.johnson8629@gmail.com

Sue Quirk 508-883-5821 Fundraising rpquirk@comcast.net

Kelly Shaw 774-276-0260 Fundraising

krshaw13@gmail.com

Betsey MacDonald

Surprisingly enough, when looking at what we did for rides, we did more than I thought we were going to be able to.

Most of our normal trail work days were impacted this year. But as you can see below, we did manage to get some trail work projects done.

I would like to close out 2020 by thanking all of our members, sponsors, and volunteers. It was with your help that we accomplished what we did this year against all odds!

We held 16 rides (568 riders), 3 campouts, and 135.82 hours of trail work worth $4,476.63. Geo-textile material and pea stone was installed on two bridges with a total of 20.32 hours, worth $664.26 and supplies worth $117.29.

Trail mapping totaled 8.75 hours, worth $288.40

Meetings concerning trails, 21.98 hours, worth $724.46

We received a $1,069 grant from the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corri-dor. This was used to digitize BSTRA’s historical records of our work to transform an abandoned railroad and document the ongoing efforts to make and improve it into the Southern New England Trunkline Trail. We also created a video of the SNETT that showcases the work that has been done and capture multiple users enjoying the trail. The money was used to purchase a storage hard drive and a video camera. A total of 64.44 hours (worth $1,638.71) was put into making the video and all the scanning.

That gives us a grand total of $6,195.02 that was put into trails by BSTRA in 2020!

Our Fundraising Committee raised over $38,000 in 2020 for trail projects!

I am looking forward to hopefully getting back to “normal” this year. Fingers crossed!

How can you help?

Keep your membership in BSTRA current. Get a friend to join.

Host a ride or trail work day.

Interested in helping the direction of our organization?

Consider joining our Board of Directors.

Get at least one sponsor for our major fundraising event-National Trails Day.

Volunteer!

Page 2 Bugle

OFFERED BY BSTRA, INC. — An Opportunity Drawing to Win a

BOSE 500 SOUNDBAR—A $549 VALUE! DRAWING IS FEBRUARY 28, SO BUY YOUR TICKETS

SOON AT WWW.BSTRA.ORG/SUPPORT RAFFLE!

BSTRA Bose 500 Sound Bar Opportunity Raffle Ticket Order Form

Name____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Email Address_____________________________________________________ Telephone______________________________

Number of Tickets Being Purchased:____________ Amount Enclosed: $_____________________________

Mail completed Order Form with your check payable to BSTRA, Inc. to:

BSTRA DRAWING, c/o 76 NW Main St, Douglas, MA 01516

To purchase tickets go to

www.bstra.org/support/raffle or use

mail in Order Form below. Orders must

be received by 5 PM on February 28th.

BSTRA, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the creation, maintenance and preservation of trails in MA State Forests and Parks for a variety of user groups for outdoor recreation and fit-ness. The recent recipient of the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Shared Stew-ardship Award, BSTRA has been recognized for its ongo-ing commitment to our com-munity trails. To date, BSTRA has put more than $630,000 into trails. Proceeds from this raffle will help fund our $55,000 project in the Douglas State Forest, as well as other new projects. BSTRA relies on grants and fundraisers like this Opportunity Drawing to fund its projects. Please participate in this draw-ing and help us support trails. our community.

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Page 3 Bugle

Governing Board 2021

Per our Bylaws, the Board of Directors is elected by our

membership at the AGM. The Board then elects our

Officers. Since we won’t be able to hold our AGM early

this year, the voting will have to be done differently.

If you are interested in serving on the Board of Direc-

tors or as one of the officers, please submit your name

and position in nomination by email to

bstra@charter.net or by calling 508-476-3960.

On Feb. 1st we will send out an e-mail to start the vot-

ing for the Board of Directors with all voting ending on

Feb. 5th at 8 pm. For those that don’t have e-mail,

please call 508-476-3960 and we will mail you a ballot.

CURRENT SLATE OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Crysanda Boisvert, Valerie Clark, Donna Johnson, Joan

Lowbridge-Sisley, Suzanne Nicholas, Lynn Paresky, An-

namaria Paul, Joyce Sandvik, Kelly Shaw, and Sue

Quirk.

CURRENT SLATE OF OFFICERS:

• President Becky Kalagher

• Vice President/Clerk Sharron Cochran

• Treasurer Karen Parlin

• Recording Secretary Rose Zariczny

Page 4 Bugle

WINNER OF PICTORIAL TALES PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGE

OPPORTUNITY DRAWING ANNOUNCED

Norma Fay of Blackstone was the lucky winner of the Opportunity Drawing

held on December 16th for a Gift Certificate for the $200 Pictorial Tales Pho-

tography Package. The prize was donated by Bethani Chadbourne, owner of

Pictorial Tales, because Bethani wanted to help BSTRA raise money for its up-

coming trail improvement projects.

Norma was very excited when she was contacted by Lynn Paresky to notify her

that she had won. She plans on using the Gift Certificate for an Equine Portrait

of her new pinto, Zorro, and is patiently waiting until spring when Zorro is

shedded out for his portrait.

Norma recently rejoined BSTRA. She was a member many years ago with her Friesian, Magnum, and was part of the origi-

nal clearing crew for the trails at Inman Hill. Norma remembers when it was just a deer path and often rode on adjoining

trails. Her favorite BSTRA event was riding through Sturbridge Village where she felt like she was being transported back

in time. Now that Norma is a member again, she looks forward to participating in our upcoming events in 2021 and having

fun on the trails again with Zorro.

Welcome back, Norma, and congratulations on your win!

Norma and Zorro

Page 5 Bugle

Welcome New Members Dee Minzy, Sutton, MA

Janet Moore, West Roxbury, MA

Julie, Craig, Ayla, Dylan Mccoskery, Upton, MA

Andrea Vulter, North Grafton, MA

Kelsey Walker, Blackstone, MA

Introducing the “Barn Membership”.

A new category for barns that are active with Bay State

Trail Riders Association (BSTRA) to compete with one

another!! If you have a barn with boarders or students

who want to form a barn group, $35 will entitle you to

a barn membership and eligibility to compete for end

of the year barn awards.

The barn award will go to the most active barn that has

the most volunteer hours, most horse/riders at pleas-

ure and competitive rides.

Rules:

1. Come up with a good barn name.

2. Sign up for barn membership. Each barn member

must be a current individual member of BSTRA.

3. Attend workdays and rides.

4. Have lots of fun with friends and family!!!!

You and your Equine Love are invited to participate in BSTRA’s Valentine’s Day

Photo Contest

Show your love! Enter your best photo of the two

of you decked out for Valentine’s Day! Best cos-

tumes win!

Top 3 photos receive prizes, and photos for all en-

tries will appear on BSTRA’s Facebook Page and

in The Bugle.

First Place Prize: $50 Gift Certificate to The Sad-

dle Shed PLUS $25 Gift Certificate to Tractor Sup-

ply Co.

Second Place Prize: $50 Gift Certificate to The

Mane Place

Third Place Prize: $50 Gift Certificate to Hardwick

Farmers Coop

Entry Fee: Members: $10 Non-members: $15

Register at www.bstra.org

Submit your photos via email to: lynnpa-

resky@aol.com and make sure to use BSTRA Val-

entine Photo Contest in the subject line. Include

your name, your horse’s name, address, telephone

number and email address along with your photo.

Deadline for submission is February 12th.

This will be a fun contest to be part of, especially

in the wintertime during the COVID pandemic

when there isn’t a lot to do.

Have fun, show your love, and good luck! Winners

will be selected on Valentine’s Day!

Page 6 Bugle

REGARDING BSTRA MEMBERSHIP

Announcing something new for 2021! Our sponsor,

Cabot Cheese Company, will be donating four Gift

Boxes to be used as Membership Prizes for quarterly

drawings. Entries for drawings are earned for each of

the following:

Renew your membership for 2021 (one entry)

Become a new 2021 BSTRA member (one entry)

Refer a friend who becomes a member (one entry

for each referral)

Drawings will take place on

April 1 (covering period now through March)

July 1 (covering April through June)

October 1 (covering July through September) and

January 1, 2022 (covering October through December).

Winners will be notified and Gift Boxes will be sent to

them. The value of each Gift

Box is approximately $25.00.

Special thanks to Cabot

Cheese Company for their

Input, Suggestions & Thoughts

I am tossing a few things out to our membership to get

some feedback.

1) We will be planning our event calendar for 2021. If

you are willing to host a ride (that means room for

parking and marking the trails), or if you want to

host a trail work day, please let us know.

2) Interested in becoming more involved with

BSTRA? We would love to have you on our Board,

or serving on a committee. A trails committee dedi-

cated solely to trail maintenance issues would be

great! Can we make connections? Great place to

ride, but no parking, can we create a parking area

for trucks and trailers? Or any other ideas that you

might have to help us with our mission, recruiting

volunteers, members, social media and so on.

Send along your thoughts, offers, ideas and suggestions

to Becky (or any Board member) at bstra@charter.net

or 508-476-3960.

DO YOU FEED TRIPLE CROWN? If so, then you can help raise money for BSTRA! Triple Crown Feeds: save the Proof of Purchase from each bag. Triple Crown Forages: cut out the name of the Triple Crown along with the UPC code. All tags can be turned in to Suzanne Nicholas, 96 Mountain Gate Road, Ashland, MA 01721 or any Board member. Thank you!

POULIN GRAIN PROGRAM When you buy Poulin grain for your horse, make sure to tell the clerk that you are a BSTRA member. That’s all you have to do! We get .25 for each bag you buy. The merchant keeps track of the amount of bags purchased and sends a check to BSTRA for the accumulated amount from your pur-chases. Participating dealers: Mane Place (Uxbridge).

EXCESS PERSONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE A $1 million Excess Personal Liability Insurance policy is an optional member benefit. Become an individual or family member of BSTRA and choose this valuable protection today. For details, please visit our website at www.bstra.org or email rzariczny@verizon.net

AMAZON.COM ON OUR WEB SITE

If you shop at Amazon, please access their site through the button on our website. All purchases you make will result in money back to BSTRA at no cost to you. It’s a win-win situation for everyone—still the same great prices for you at Amazon and support for BSTRA! Also, if you shop at smile.amazon.com you can choose Bay State Trail Riders Association as your charitable organization

and we will receive a rebate of .5% of the purchase price .

TOURBILLON TRAILER SALES Offering BSTRA members 5% off the listed price of a trailer purchase and 10% off trailer service. Located in North Scituate, RI. Special thanks to our Platinum Sponsor, REALSTEEL, for

extending a 25% discount and free shipping to our BSTRA

Family of Members and Friends. This applies to the entire col-

lection on their website. They have a wide selection of custom-

izable sign designs, including some gorgeous designs that

equestrians will love. Just use the discount code: BSTRA25

when you place your order from RealSteel's website. Check

out their latest equestrian themed design

at https://realsteelcenter.com/proud-stallion-cowboy-

monogram

Benefits for you-Benefits for BSTRA Page 7 The Bugle

Free ads are for members and their items

only. Please contact the editor for advertising

rates for non-member classified ads. Please

submit your ad in writing (mail or e-mail) to the editor. Ads will only ap-

pear once unless you notify us to run it again. Ads must be received by the

15th of the month preceding publication.

Classifieds

Page 8 The Bugle

Saddle for Sale: Syd Hill Australian Saddle - brown

leather, wool backed. Outstanding trail saddle with very

secure seat. $600.00 Call Sue at 972-898-7837 (us)

Iconoclast Rehabilitation Boots - Size XLarge - for

sale. Never used because they did not fit my horse. The

Iconoclast Rehabilitation boot is a working recovery boot

for horses that have sustained an injury or strain of the

soft tissue (ligaments or tendons) of the lower limb. Vet

recommended for degeneration of the suspensory

branches. Working in conjunction with the patented

Double Sling Straps is their patented Orthopedic Wedge,

which is positioned against the back of the fetlock joint

and the first phalanx (upper pastern). Purchased for

$88.00 and asking $60. Contact Lynn at lynnpa-

resky@aol.com or call 508-561-6210 (us)

Snowbird Double horse mat: black and silver, 9 x 12 ,

use outside of campers or in a tack room. Brand new.

$100. Beautiful pattern with horseshoes and bits for the

border. May be seen on their website Tjtrading.com.

Also have Trail Blazer magazines, no longer in print, high

quality magazine, great stories and helpful articles.

FREE. Anyone looking for back issues of Mass Horse and

Equine Journal, call Sue Quirk at 508-883-5821

Used Easy Entry Black Steel Horse Cart: 84” shaft

length 26” wide at shaft ends, 33” wide at shaft base, 20”

wire rimmed tires. Red vinyl covered foam seat. Had

been used on a chubby Halflinger/cross and 15.2 Appy.

Located in Mendon. Asking $350 Call/txt 508-612-1738

Business Classifieds

Short Term/Vacation Boarding: Walking High Farm has

two run in sheds with separate fencing available for your short

term needs. Going on vacation? We can take care of your

horse, or both if you have two of them. Please call Becky for

details at 508-476-3960 or bstra@charter.net

Pet Care Services: Angela Pet Care specializes in the profes-

sional care of all farm animals (horses, dogs, cats, chickens,

sheep, goats, etc.) at owner’s home/farm, and individualized

dog boarding at my home/farm. Rates and services determined

after free initial consultation/visit. For quality care of your

animals while you are away, and scheduling services, please

contact: Angela Kazanovicz, 35 Purgatory Road, Sutton, MA

01590 Mobile: 774-232-0797 website:

http://www.angelapetcare.com Email: akazanovicz@gmail.com

Lost Your Confidence? I have been helping riders get back

in the saddle by starting on the ground first with horsemanship

lessons. $55.00 for a hour (BSTRA members special $40.00 for

fist visit). Learn new skills to gain confidence, then start back

slowly using my horses that will stand all day to be mounted

and wait for your signals. Stay at your comfort level. If you just

need to sit and not walk off we can do it. I will help you to

control your breathing and your energy to calm your mind and

body. I'll demonstrate, then teach you actual techniques you

can use to pass this calm energy to the horse and get back in

control. Riding should be fun! Mounted lessons $65.00 hr. Call

Cathie @ 508 479-5266, bobcatfarm.com or Bobcat Farm on

facebook.

LOOKING TO SELL OR BUY HORSE PROPERTY

I service Central and Western Ma from backyard farms to full

Equestrian facilities helping you to create Life Long memories.

Why not have a Realtor that has been in the horse community

for over 30 years. Sharron Cochran 413-668-7606

Sharron.cochran@nemoves.com

Page 9

BSTRA 2021 EVENTS CALENDAR

The Bugle

Date (rain date) Event/Location/Sponsor Contact Phone # email address

April 17 (4/18) Trail Work Day West Hill Dam Uxbridge MA Becky 508-476-3960 bstra@charter.net

April 24 (5/8) Nancy Maenzo Memorial Ride, Douglas MA Kelly 774-276-0260 krshaw13@gmail.com May 16 Spring Benefit Ride Lynn 508-476-7094 lynnparesky@aol.com May 23 Patriotism Benefit Ride, Douglas MA Sue 508-883-5821 rpquirk@comcast.net May 29-31 Memorial Day Campout, Carver MA Rose 401-487-3190 rzariczny@verizon.net June 13 National Trails Day Lynn 508-476-7094 lynnparesky@aol.com July 1-4 4th of July Campout, Douglas MA Rose 401-487-3190 rzariczny@verizon.net July 11 Awards Banquet, Bellingham MA Rose 401-487-3190 rzariczny@verizon.net July 17 Goddard Brunch Ride, E. Greenwich RI Rose 401-487-3190 rzariczny@verizon.net July 25 Poker Run, Mendon MA Becky 508-476-3960 bstra@charter.net Aug. 15 Galloping Gourmet Ride, Royalston MA Becky 508-476-3960 bstra@charter.net Sept. 11 Luau Ride, Upton MA Suzanne 508-380-2124 hc07645@gmail.com Sept. 18 Fall Pace Set Up Sharron 413-668-7606 hiddenhollowacres@comcast.net Sept. 19 Fall Hunter Pace, Douglas MA Sharron 413-668-7606 hiddenhollowacres@comcast.net Sept. 26 Fall Benefit Ride Lynn 508-476-7094 lynnparesky@aol.com Oct. 10 Mt. Jefferson Pleasure Ride, Hubbardston MA Becky 508-476-3960 bstra@charter.net Oct. 17 Joint ride with Scantic Valley Sharron 413-668-7606 hiddenhollowacres@comcast.net Oct. 31 Big Pumpkin Ride, Upton MA Suzanne 508-380-2124 hc07645@gmail.com Nov. 7 Turkey Trot, Carver MA Rose 401-487-3190 rzariczny@verizon.net Nov. 11-14 Equine Affaire, W.Springfield MA Becky 508-476-3960 bstra@charter.net

Until further notice, all rides are limited to 50 people including riders and volunteers. All COVID-19 Ride Protocols are in place until further notice. *NEHT affiliated ride 1. Unless otherwise noted, all rides start at 10 am and trail work days at 9 am 2. In case of questionable weather, call before leaving home. You will NOT be called if the event is cancelled. 3. Most rides require advance registration and payment to receive lunch. 4. Year end awards require a member in good standing to have a minimum of 4 hours of volunteer time completed.

Divisions: Pleasure, Competitive, Accumulative. Age as of January 1st: Junior (17 and under), Adult (18-55), Senior (56 or older). For more information, visit our website at www.bstra.org

5. Riders 17 years old and under, accompanied by a guardian, ride free. (May be exceptions on some rides) 6. Alcohol is prohibited on State property. No smoking allowed while riding. 7. A current Coggins within a year of the ride date is required. 8. Please leave the trails and parking areas better than you found them and be considerate of others! Clean up your hay & manure at all rides!

24 Glenn Street

Douglas MA 01516

We are on the web!

www.bstra.org

Bay State Trail Riders Association, Inc.

JANUARY 2021

Bay State Trail Riders Association, Inc. Membership Application (effective through end of calendar year)

Please type or print clearly. Name: ________________________________________________________ ‘phone: (________)___________________________ Do NOT release my name for discounts or coupons to benefit BSTRA [ ]

Address: _______________________________________________________ email: _____________________________________ (# & street) (town/city) (state/zip) Please check all that apply:

Single $25 [ ] $1m excess liability insurance (single), additional $20 [ ] Individual Lifetime Membership $400 [ ] Family $35 [ ] $1m excess liability insurance (family), additional $40 [ ] Barn Membership $35 [ ] Barn Name________________________________________________________ Additional donation to this 501(c)(3) corporation $_________________. Your tax exempt donation will be acknowledged.

I’d like to receive your free monthly bulletin The Bugle via email [ ] or printed copy in black & white [ ] I’d like to receive Massachusetts Horse at no cost to me [ ]

I can help I was referred to BSTRA by __________________________________ (name of member) • by volunteering for trail work days [ ]

• by sponsoring a trail ride ($) [ ] Please mail this form with check payable to BSTRA, Inc. to:

• by hosting/running a trail ride [ ] Rose Zariczny, 216 Grand Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895

• with other projects that might be needed [ ]

• by serving on the Board of Directors [ ] Questions? rzariczny@verizon.net or 401-487-3190

• with _______________________________________

mailto:rzariczny@verizon.net