Local snowmobiles join ‘Never Surrender’ ride
Five Cook County snowmobilers participated in the 2009 Blackwoods Blizzard Tour on February 5-7. Kathy and Tom Bernier and Tad McDonnell, of Colvill; Ron “Carbine” Carlson of Hovland and Chuck Silence of Grand Marais rode nearly 400 miles in the ‘Never Surrender’ ride to fight Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. On Thursday morning the riders started the ride from Proctor to Lake Vermillion and Fortune Bay Casino.They were up early Friday morning to travel down the scenic North Shore to Two Harbors where they spent the night. On Saturday, February 7, riders returned to Proctor. The event culminated in a gala dinner provided by Blackwoods at the Greysolon Ballroom in Duluth where riders learned that they had raised $465,000 to fight ALS.
Riders heard a brief history of the ride during the program emceed by Dennis Anderson of Channel 10 WDIO of Duluth. The ride has grown from an event with 38 riders in its first year that raised $46,000 to 148 riders this year.
Blizzard Tour Executive Director Sue Spaulding shared some statistics regarding ALS. Some good—she said thanks to event like the Blizzard Tour, the ALS Society was able to provide 10,200 hours of respite assistance to families affected by ALS. The society supplied 231 communication assistance devices and 2,000 other medical equipment needs. It was also able to help 57 people obtain powered wheel chairs.
However, Spaulding added, “In Minnesota each week, two people are diagnosed with ALS—and two people die. I don’t like those numbers. And apparently, you don’t either. That is why you’re here.”
The local riders were all pleased to be part of the ‘Never Surrender’ Tour. They each raised at least $1,000 for the ride.
Riders also heard from several people associated with the Minnesota Twins organization, which along with Polaris Industries and Blackwoods is a major sponsor of the Blizzard Tour. The Twins were represented by pitching coach Rick Anderson, Twins batting coach Joe Vavra, and Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire. Also taking part was Terry Steinbach, former Minnesota Twins catcher, who lost his father to ALS in 2000.
Another former Twin, first baseman Kent Hrbeck, host of Kent Hrbeck Outdoors, also lost his father to ALS. He thanked all the riders for taking part and all the people who contributed, but added, “I am looking forward to the day we no longer need this ride!”
The Blizzard Tour started Thursday, February 5 from the AmericInn in Proctor. Riders rode to Lake Vermillion where they stayed overnight at Fortune Bay Resort & Casino