Club History...
Early in the 1970′s a couple from the tiny community of Yearley, Bert and Nancy Booth, had a small restaurant in their home that they called Du-Ya-Wanna (which came from Nancy’s interest in native arts and culture and had an early Muskokan native ring to it). Their friends from the Hilltop Hunt Club often visited their little restaurant. These two groups created a few trails to snowmobile around the Yearley/Hunt Club area. All trails usually ended at the Booth’s where people could gather for coffee, a meal or just to warm up. Over time, more and more trails were opened up and eventually one led to Huntsville. The trip from Huntsville to Du-Ya-Wanna was considered quite an outing in those days. Out of these first few miles of trails (in those days it was still talked about in miles) grew many more trails. Trails 82, 83, 84, 85, an area known as Peterland and the TOPS trail all began with the Booths and the Hilltop Hunt Club. All of the trails were created, brushed, maintained and groomed by people who wanted to snowmobile. The equipment used to break and maintain trail were owned by the individuals who did the work. They used their own snowmobiles for grooming, and pulled whatever could be used for a drag. Around 1973, because of the growing interest in snowmobiling in the area, a club was created. The first meetings were held at the Yearley school and it cost $5 to become a member. A 1975 Alpine show machine was purchased (now that they had some money to fuel it) and members of the club made a drag. The name of the club was borrowed from the little restaurant and Nancy Booth likely contributed to the design of the logo (a young native maiden). The club was called DU-YA-WANNA TRAIL RIDERS YEARLEY. Initially recognized only as a Yearley club it later became recognized as the Huntsville club. We have been a proud members of the OFSC and the MSR since 1978. As money became available from membership fees, club equipment was purchased (a 1979 and then two 1983 Alpines). In 1980, meetings moved to the Aspdin Hall and continue there today. In 1996, a building was constructed in which to store and repair our equipment. The club has always been about more than just snowmobiling, it is a real community. Du-Ya-Wanna was the first MSR club to operate a Centaur and a Husky. Over the years the club has enjoyed some great leadership, from the Booths, Andy Beamer, John and Joan Smith (who are still active with the club today!), the Demaine Family, Ned Joiner and Brenda Walsh (current OFSC president) just to name a few. Our club was started by volunteers and is still supported by volunteers today.
