The large booya kettle in which the hearty stew was prepared for the hundreds of attendees. – Photo by Aaron Hickman
TOWN OF SWISS – On the afternoon of Saturday, March 1, the Hillside Inn, north of Danbury, was host to a longstanding tradition, one that has been going strong for 50 years. An estimated 300 people came out for the Cozy Corner Trails Inc. annual booya fundraiser, filling the many tables set up outside and crowding the inside of the bar as well. Friends, neighbors and other like-minded individuals met in support of the snowmobile and ATV club responsible for maintaining the trails in northern Burnett County and southern Douglas County. The trails not only provide a venue for outdoor recreation but they are also an important part of the local economy in the area, one that has suffered greatly in the past couple years due to a lack of snow. The absence of snow has greatly shortened the snowmobiling seasons this year and last, hurting many businesses like bars, restaurants and lodging places that rely on the influx of winter recreation lovers. It has also affected those who are paid to maintain those trails. The Cozy Corner Trails group is affiliated with the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs and has been working to build, improve and maintain the area trails for the enjoyment of all for more than 50 years. Events like the annual booya are a critical part of their fundraising to be able to continue their important work.
Attendees to the booya could get a steaming bowl of the hearty stew, served from a steaming kettle along with drinks and other food that was available for sale. There were also many raffle items available, donated by local businesses, as part of the fundraiser. Two pieces of heavy equipment that the club uses to groom and maintain the trails were also on display. Despite temperatures being in the low 20s, the sun was shining and the hot booya was enough to chase away the chill, with many people spending the entire afternoon outside comfortably.
