For the past 23 years, people in need have been able to go to the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center and receive a free turkey dinner on Thanksgiving.

This year more than 5,000 people showed up to eat food donated by local farmers and served by volunteers. On hand to help with the event on the eve of the ISOC Duluth National Snocross were eight members of the Christian Brothers Racing team.

“We started out the race weekend by volunteering to serve thanksgiving dinner at the DECC,” said Christian Brothers Racing co-owner Dwight Christian. “There were eight of us and we worked a five-hour stint. Helping out with the event makes our Thanksgiving away from home a lot brighter, for sure.”

The annual Twin Ports Thanksgiving Buffet is produced by Twin Ports community volunteers and the College of St Scholastica. It takes place in the Edmund Fitzgerald Exhibit Hall in the DECC’s City Side Convention Center.

An estimated 5,000 meals were served on site and another 1,000 were delivered to home-bound recipients.

For more information on Christian Brothers Racing visit www.christianbrosracing.com

Legend will repurpose the approximate 123,000 square foot facility to become their new center for the production of high quality aluminum trailers. The company anticipates the project will grow to have upwards of 150 jobs.

Headquartered just north of St. Johns, Michigan Legend Manufacturing is known as the premium aluminum trailer manufacturer. The decision to significantly increase the production capacity will ensure that the company will be able to supply its growing North American market.

Legend, a family owned company founded by siblings Nathan, Jason, and Lisa Beck, was conceived about a decade ago. The three who are owners of one of the nation’s largest trailer retailers, Beck’s Trailers, realized there was a significant disconnect between what the customer wanted and what manufacturers were willing to provide.

Nathan Beck explained that his frustration in trying to provide customers with a truly high quality product led to the decision to form Legend Manufacturing. He stated, “Our family reputation and determination to supply the best products led us to cut our own path and begin manufacturing our own trailers.” Jason Beck further explained, “Legend continues to prove that when given the choice, consumers would prefer to have a quality product from a company they trust.”

Nathan Beck explained, “The economic down turn in 2008 allowed Legend to go back to the drawing board to produce another line of products for the price conscious buyer who desired Legend quality. In October of 2009, the Thunder All-Aluminum Trailer was born. Since its inception, the factory has been producing product volume at the equivalent rate of two manufacturers its size. It became clear there was a need to significantly expand and restructure the manufacturing operation.
Over the course of almost two years Legend analyzed, explored, planned various scenarios, and examined multiple location possibilities both in State and out of state for the expansion of the company. After a lot of optimistic work, which included examination of expanding at the existing location to moving out of state, it was very clear that the best path for the company was to be in a new location in Gratiot County.”

Nathan Beck remarked, “We were in a very frustrating quandary trying to decide what to do when one of our suppliers suggested we examine a Gratiot county location. We were connected with Don Schurr at Greater Gratiot Development. Don listened to our desired features for our business, a location and, what we wanted in a community relationship.”

Schurr suggested they examine the former Wal-Mart building in Pine River Township just north of the Alma corporate line. Schurr commented, “When Legend explained their ideal location, what they were looking for in community attributes, and what they hoped for in municipal relationships it was immediately clear to me that a location in the former Wal-Mart building in Pine River Township would be perfect.”

Nathan Beck stated, “Don brought in all the individuals necessary for us to make a business decision, including the Gratiot County building inspector, Township officials, and representatives of the MEDC. I know we have a lot to do but with everybody’s help, it is going very well.”

Although the Wal-Mart building was available and for sale, securing the building was not a standard transaction. Wal-Mart Corporation, for competitive reasons and to protect the interests of the community, is selective in deciding who will purchase their properties. They have a process to establish credibility, longevity, and find proof positive that the sale of one of a former location is a good plan for Wal-Mart and the community. The Legend business plan proved to be the best for Alma, Michigan, and Legend Manufacturing Inc.

Pine River Township Supervisor Kevin Beeson commented, “We welcome the Beck family and Legend Manufacturing to our community. We are thankful that we are part of such a great community that understands the importance of working together. Our partners at GGDI were instrumental in making this transition possible. The folks at Legend have a vision to successfully repurpose the recently vacated Wal-Mart store into a premier manufacturing facility and we plan to work closely with them to make sure their dream becomes a success.”

Both Beeson and Schurr are certain Legend will be an excellent addition to the Gratiot community. The corporate philosophy since the beginning as stated in the Legend motto has been “Buy it for Looks, Keep it for Life”. This fits well with the Gratiot community philosophy of helping companies locate and continue to grow.

In addition to Legend Premium Aluminum Trailers and Thunder All-Aluminum trailers, the company also produces the Legend “Ice-Master” premium ice shanty. The deluxe little “houses” provide lightweight shelter for fishing, hunting or any outdoor sport where protection is required. Inside features can include an insulation package and heater, surround sound, A/C, and anything else to achieve the customers’ highest comfort level.

One thing is for certain, Legend is not just building trailers. They are building a far better trailer with smart and affordable price points. The company employs a very good team of 60 craftsmen including fabricators, welders, wood carpenters, electricians, general labor, and cosmetic designers.

Legend will add additional workers to their existing team, and a second shift is certainly in the plans for the near future.

After eight months of training and getting prepared for the 2012/13 snowcross season, it was time for Byers Motorsports to hit the track again. Jamie has been training since the end of last season with great motivation coming off his CSRA Pro-Lite National Championships.

Byers Motorsports is also pleased to have the same great sponsors onboard again for the 2013 season with Supertrax Magazine, Polaris and Byers Equipment Motorsports as the primary sponsors.

Once the 2013 Polaris 600 IQ racer was prepped with Woody’s studs and carbides, a new Dayco XTX Belt, Powermadd handguards, a Creecher’s Design wrap and topped up with Amsoil; Jamie packed up his Coldwave gear, TekVest, Fly Racing Helmet and Dragon Goggles and headed out to Planet X Snowcross testing facility in Aurora, Minnesota.

Jamie spent a number of days getting back into the rhythm and setting up the sled for his liking before heading to Duluth, MN for the ISOC National Season opener. The Duluth National is one of the most anticipated snowcross events and draws riders from all over the world to compete.

When he arrived at Duluth, the only snow to be seen was on the ski hill where the track was to be layed out. On Thursday night, Mother Nature decided to help out with a few inches of the fresh white stuff to cover the ground and make it feel like winter and got everyone in the snowmobiling mood.

Jamie hit the track Saturday afternoon for the Pro-Lite #1 class; which consisted of 5 heats and 47 total entries. In Moto 1, he got a great start and took the lead over the finish line jump into the first corner. He was running strong in the lead for the first 5 laps before catching an edge at the top of the hill tossing his hand off the handlebars and gave up the lead, finishing 4th.

He got a decent start in Moto 2 coming out of the first corner in 4th, battling and finished 3rd at the checkered. With 5 heats, Jamie had to go trough the LCQ to make the final, where he rode a strong race and placed 5th for the final transfer position. Starting at a disadvantage in the back row, Jamie rode a good 18-lap finial finishing up in 13th.

Sunday’s Pro-Lite #2 was a little tougher for Jamie as a few more riders were added and another heat making good qualifying finishes key to even qualify for the LCQ. In Moto 1, Jamie came out of the first corner in 2nd and fell back to 5th by lap 3. He charged hard and found good lines making passes back to 3rd for the finish.

In Moto 2, he had a bad starting position but made up time in the first corner as everyone pushed outside. He struggled finding a good line around the whole track and came across in 6th. Unfortunately the 3rd and 6th was not enough to get him in the LCQ.

“Overall I’m happy with how this weekend went. I would have really liked to have made todays (Sunday) final but I am happy with yesterdays racing.” Jamie said after the weekend. “We came out here with the main focus of getting a good suspension set-up and getting some seat time before our first CSRA race, and we did that. This being my first time competing at an ISOC National event, I know I can compete with these guys and look forward to racing down here again, but for now our focus is on the CSRA National series.”

The CSRA season opener is scheduled for December 8-9 at Calabogie Ski Resort near Ottawa, Ontario. This will be Jamie debut season in the Pro Open class competing for the CSRA National #1 plate.

The USXC has inked Woody’s as the sponsor of the 2013 Winner’s Circle in addition to the Woody’s Sport 600 Stock class. The Woody’s Winner’s Circle will appear on the USXC Web page and will be one of the post-event features on the USXC Web site.

After each race weekend the winner of the Pro 600 class will be featured in a graphic that will feature a photograph and the event logo along with a Woody’s logo.

“The USXC Winner’s Circle is our way of recognizing the hard work and success of the riders on the USXC cross-country circuit,” said Tanya Leonard, Marketing Manager at Woody’s Traction. “Woody’s has always supported the grassroots racer and sponsoring the Sport 600 Stock class is our way of continuing that support.”

“Woody’s has been a consistent supporter of cross-country snowmobile racing and we are proud to have them on board as a USXC sponsor,” said USXC owner Brian Nelson. “The Winner’s Circle is a great way to showcase the Pro 600 class and having the familiar Woody’s name on the Sport 600 Stock class will benefit those racers as well. The support of Woody’s helps us achieve the USXC goal which is to sanction family-oriented, grassroots snowmobile racing.”

Based in Hope, Michigan, Woody’s is the trademarked name of International Engineering and Manufacturing’s private label traction devices. Woody’s is the choice worldwide of motorsports accessory distributors, snowmobile and track manufacturers, racing champions, sportsmen and snowmobilers who want the very best in traction performance and safety. They have been supplying the snowmobile industry with traction products for over 44 years.