ONE of the most specialized and useful Model T conversions was the snowmobile kit. Popular across the Snow Belt states, the unusual machines were the creation of Virgil D. White, a Ford dealer in West Ossipee, N.H.

Mr. Ford’s T: Versatile Mobility (July 20, 2008) In the early 1910s, White was searching for a way to make the Model T a true all-season vehicle. His solution was to add a second set of rear wheels and caterpillar tracks. White then replaced the front wheels with wooden runners. He called his creation a Snowmobile, a term now used to describe sporty snow vehicles.

White’s shop began selling fully converted Model Ts for $750 and conversion kits for about $400. Eventually, his small factory in West Ossipee was making about 3,000 Snowmobile kits a year.

The Model T Snowmobile Club of America (www.modeltfordsnowmobile.com) and its regional affiliates hold rallies, where the restored crawlers are as unstoppable as ever.

article courtesy of: NY Times

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, July 10 (UPI) -- A Swedish man said he was embarrassed after his snowmobile sank the in the Baltic Sea as he was attempting to cross the Gulf of Bothnia.

Joel Rehnberg began his 60-mile journey at midnight Tuesday in hopes of becoming the only person to ride a snowmobile across the Gulf of Bothnia, the Swedish News Agency TT reported.

Rehnberg's dream was hampered when rain caused his snowmobile to breakdown just six miles into the trip, the report said.

The agency said a rescue boat retrieved Rehnberg after his snowmobile disappeared under the water's surface.

The determined adventurer said he plans to try driving to Finland again after he finds a way to haul his snowmobile up from the ocean floor.

article courtesy of: UPI.com

CRYSTAL LAKE – When a group of friends and family decided to form a foundation in memory of TV news anchor and lifelong Crystal Lake resident Randy Salerno, they had no shortage of offers to help.
“We’ve had so many volunteers; people calling just to help from all over Illinois,” said John Hanley, a Salerno friend and foundation organizer. “It’s giving people a reason to keep Randy’s memory alive. I think it’s very therapeutic for a lot of people.”

Salerno, 45, was killed in a Jan. 24 snowmobile crash during a trip with friends to Wisconsin.
Foundation organizers plan to honor Salerno’s memory with a local celebrity golf tournament followed by a tropical-themed “Under the Caribbean Twilight” celebration July 18.

“Randy loved the island lifestyle,” said Jerry Miller, another friend and volunteer. “We’re trying to create as upbeat as possible of an event to celebrate his zeal for life.”
Proceeds from the event will go toward educational assistance and community enhancement projects, including scholarships to students interested in journalism at Crystal Lake South High School and Illinois State University.

The Randy Salerno Foundation’s mission is to help students of any age, race or ethnic background pursue a career in broadcast journalism.
A limited number of tickets still are available for the golf outing and the evening celebration.
Planning a celebration with the pain of Salerno’s death still fresh has been difficult, organizers said.
But Salerno, who was active in the community, wouldn’t have wanted a downbeat memorial, several friends said.
To that end, the group has adopted an old quote of Salerno’s, “If you cry, you can’t play,” as something of a motto for the event.
“Everybody’s doing it because they loved Randy,” Miller said. “I just can’t say enough what a wonderful person he was.”

If you go

What: Randy Salerno Foundation Celebrity Tournament and “Under the Caribbean Twilight” evening celebration.
When: Registration for golf from 8 to 9:45 a.m. with tee off at 10 a.m. Friday, July 18. The evening celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at midnight.
Where: The tournament will be at Boone Creek Golf Academy, 6912 Mason Hill Road, McHenry. The evening celebration will be at Lippold Park, 851 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake, Illinois.]

Cost: $75 a person for the evening celebration; $250 for the golf tournament (includes admission to evening celebration).
To buy tickets: Fill out a ticket form at www.rememberingrandy.com

article courtesy of: NWHerald.com