BIRCH ISLAND—Neither rain nor mud could keep four-wheeler enthusiasts inside as the 4th Annual Birch Island Fire Department ‘Mudder’s Day’ Poker Run got underway on the Whitefish River First Nation on Saturday, May 9.
Organized by the Birch Island Fire Department volunteers, led by Andy Recollet, the event has grown to attract people of all ages, men and women alike, from near and far. Participants hailed from the Whitefish River First Nation, Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Mindemoya, Espanola, Sudbury and “everywhere in between,” said Mr. Recollet.
Though the numbers were down this year, due to the weather, 50 participants is still a good number, according to Mr. Recollet. The die-hards couldn’t wait to play in the mud with their four-wheelers and side-by-sides (which is basically a two-seat, sometimes a four-seater), though one machine did break-down as a result of a belt snapping on the quad. The duo, who had to get towed to a friend’s residence, later jumped into a four-seater, continuing with the run.
The course consisted of going through some pretty rough terrain, at times some of the participants were waist-deep in mud. At the end of the punishing course, there is a hill that dips down into a small river and back up the hillside into what has now become affectionately known as “da hole.” If you can cross “da hole” without getting stuck, you are a true die-hard “mudder.” For the less gutsy, there is another route where you can cross over the river which has some logs and a culvert to help your machine make it over.
The event concluded with a delicious whitefish dinner at the Whitefish River Community Centre prepared by the volunteers, complete with fries, baked beans and coleslaw. The winner of the Poker Run was Bruce Polojko, who won a chainsaw. All participants received a prize, ranging from a four-wheeler cover to a $100 gift certificate.
Mr. Recollet gave a chi megwetch to all the volunteers and community members who made the event a success: Stephanie Corbiere, Theresa Recollet, Dan Andrews, Aaron Recollet, Georgina Recollet, Trevor Mcvey, John Rutledge, Red Sky, Morgan Recollet, Michael Aelick, Tania Jacko, Marcus Pitawanakwat, Tah McGregor, Katt Migwanabi, Zoongkamii Kwe, Barb Recollet and Mike Megwanabe.
Mr. Recollet and the BIFD also thanked the sponsors: BI Community Living, Orr’s Valu-mart, Trail Side Sports Ltd., Ontario Polaris – Yamaha – Suzuki Motorsports dealers, AON Insurance, Rivet Insurance, Nicks Cat House, BI Mudslingers, BIFD, J & G Marina, as well as the landowners; Phil Bowerman, Ann McGregor and the Whitefish River FN. Mr. Recollet would also like to thank the participants who came out in spite of the rain.
If you like four-wheeling, mud and good times with friends, mark 2016 Mother’s Day weekend for next year, and if you like a challenge, come out and test “da hole.” Will you conquer “da hole” or will it conquer you?
