On July 3, 1987, at the Centerville Street Dance, a group of friends with a lot in common (including snowmobiling) decided it might be fun to start a snowmobile club.  They met the following week, and the club was born. The original members were Russell (Lisa came along a little later) Johnson, Darrell and Candace Osborne, Darrell and Pat Hellie, and Glenn and Deb Lawrensen.

                Early meetings were held at various restaurants in Centerville.  The focus was mainly on organizing the club and gaining a charter.  Gary Ulmer, as a member of the Lewis and Clark Winter Wheelers, was instrumental in mentoring the young group.  Our first Christmas, there were about 60 people in attendance.  At this meeting, the Trailbusters name was chosen and a logo was designed.

                In 1989, Russell and Lisa were renting an acreage.  On the property was the sturdy but well worn one room schoolhouse, Mount Hope School.  Members of the club converged on the building, contributing their skill and construction materials.  Improvements made included replacing the roof, fixing windows, building a bar and kitchen out of a coat room, carpeting floors, fixing plumbing and heating, and general painting and cleaning.  This schoolhouse is still the home to the Trailbusters and holds many memories for many people.  It also contains memorabilia that has accumulated over the years, making it a one of a kind place.  The clubhouse is also home to our world-famous mascot, Herman the Clubhouse Mouse.  Herman travels with various club members to snowmobiling events and reports back for the club.

                Some of the best memories at the Trailbusters clubhouse have been made at our Christmas Parties.  The gift exchanges always feature something unique.  One of the most memorable being a duct taped cooler containing 3 live walleye freshly caught by Super Dave Osborne that day.  In 2017, there was even a marriage proposal.

                Ice drags were held in the winter on Swan Lake.  The final year’s races were most memorable, not for the snowmobiles that raced, but the new tractor that went for a swim, falling through the ice while preparing the track.  Grass drags were also held as a fund raiser for a few years.  One particular race ended up being a learning experience as Jamie Hult and Pat Carlson discovered it is only legal to ride your snowmobile on open water if you have a fire extinguisher on board.

                Pedersen Machine in Beresford was a valuable partner for the Trailbusters while they carried Polaris snowmobiles.  Every year, at their snowmobile open house, membership was boosted as people came from miles around to attend.  Rumor has it, there was even a 120 drag race in the shop.  Who the winner was depends on whether you ask Russell Johnson or Travis Watkins.

                The winter of 2000-2001 was the initial season of the Trailbusters Trail.  This came after a lot of planning and meeting, and the purchase of a cute little Track Truck from Wisconsin to groom the trail.  Two years later, and thanks to an RTP grant, the club purchased a Piston Bully.  We are anxiously awaiting a new Tucker, also thanks to another RPT grant.

                Mallo Camp has been the home of the Black Hills club ride since 1998.  It’s hard to say if more fun was had riding or during the nights after the rides.  Blood was shed due to games of spoons. Huge family style meals and beverages were enjoyed.  Out of necessity, a motor was even rebuilt on one of the dining room tables.  There were many wrestling matches, card games, jokes, and stories.  One year, the whole group had a plan to ride as a group from point A to point B.  Somewhere along the way, we lost Billy Knudson.  After a lot of searching, it was decided to split into smaller groups, ride for the day, and all keep an eye out for Billy.  Lo and behold, guess where we found him? Lost Canyon!

                In the past couple of years, we have added a club ride further west.  The first year was in Colorado, and the past two years were in Wyoming.  As a club with a family focus, it has been fun to watch our youngsters grow and develop…from riding along with mom and dad, to 120s in the parking lot, to starter sleds on the trails, and now long tracks in the mountains.  The Chuck and Angie Anderson family is the first of (hopefully) many 3 generation Trailbusters families.  The Tim and Ann Lund family is now also has a third generation Trailbuster.

                The Trailbusters have hosted two successful state conventions.  The first was in Yankton in 2009 along with the Winter Wheelers.  The most recent was in 2017 in Brookings. They also hosted a coffee break at the International Snowmobile Congress in Sioux Falls.  Chuck and Angie Anderson and Lisa and Travis Watkins were members of the 2016 ISC Planning Committee held in Rapid City, South Dakota.  The Trailbusters hosted the Watering Hole at ISC that year, treating guests to complimentary beverages and grilled chislic.  The Trailbusters have also hosted the Governor’s Ride.  Tim Lund has sponsored the social several times, and many members help with the ride on a regular basis.

                The Trailbusters have financially supported the Blue Ribbon Coalition, the ACSA Legal Defense Fund, the Ride for the Ribbon, the Veteran’s Ride in the Black Hills, and various local charities.  They have also hosted numerous free snowmobile safety courses for the public. 

                The Trailbusters have been blessed with a strong core of families who have a passion for snowmobiling and the club.  They, along with an enthusiastic group of newer members will insure the future of the Trailbusters is as successful as its past.

               

Snowmobiler of the Year

Man – Russell Johnson, Gary Ulmer, Ardell Veldkamp

Woman – Lisa Johnson, Angie Anderson

Family –

Russell, Lisa, Lexi, and Riley Johnson

Travis, Lisa, Taylor, Rachel, and Robert Watkins

Matt, Jennifer, and Gracelynn Luke

Teen – Tyler Lund, Taylor Watkins, Lexi Johnson, Rachel Watkins, Riley Johnson

Youth – Robert Watkins, Christopher VandenHemel, Gracelynn Luke

National Young Snowmobiler – Rachel Watkins, Riley Johnson

SDSA Scholarship – Taylor Watkins, Hailey Lund, Rachel Watkins

ACSA National Scholarship – Hailey Lund