The recent dusting of snow may not have been enough to make snowmobile enthusiasts jump for joy, but organizers of one upcoming event aren’t worried.

According to John Monk of Hermon, the Five-Club Poker Run scheduled for Saturday is a go … with or without snow.

“It can be done by snowmobile or by car,” he said. “It looks like more [will participate in] cars right now. But if we get some snow between now and then, more sleds [will take part].”

The Five-Club Poker Run is a team effort of … you guessed it … five local organizations.

Monk is president of the Penobscot Snowmobile Club of Hermon. Also taking part will be the Goodwill Riders of Hampden, the Carmel Snowmobile Club, the Hungry Hollow 76ers of Levant and the Glenburn Lakeside Riders.

Monk said participants in the ride will be able to have fun, enjoy some good food and camaraderie, and help a good cause: The Pine Tree Camp will receive the proceeds.

Monk explained that the poker run can be completed in a variety of different ways.

“You can start at any one starting point, but you’ll end up at the one you started at. You pick up a card at each spot,” Monk said.

Monk said sledders – and those who choose to stick to the roads – can begin their treks at 8 a.m. and must finish the circuit by 4 p.m. Each club will have its own awards session with door prizes and awards.

The only major change in this year’s event, Monk said, is that in case of a major blizzard, a storm day has been set for Sunday.

The checkpoints are the snowmobile clubhouses for the participating clubs, with the exception of the Lakeside Riders stop. Sledders will stop at the West Glenburn Community Center to pick up their card.

If you want to target a wild turkey during the upcoming spring hunt, time’s running out: You have just a few hours left to apply for the permit lottery.

The deadline for online entries in the lottery is 11:59 p.m. this evening.

Those who have taken part in the wild turkey hunt in past years often describe it as the most exciting hunt offered in the state.

This year’s hunt will be split into two sessions, along with an all-permit week for those who haven’t filled their tags. The seasons will run from May 3 to June 5.

This year a total of 15,600 permits will be issued by random draw – 7,800 for each session. Three percent of the permits will be available to non-resident hunters.

A year ago the state handed out 12,000 permits.

If you’re interested in applying, it won’t take long; the state’s Web site efficiently walks you through the steps.

To apply, log onto www.mefishwildlife.com and follow the links to the turkey application.

Polar Dip update: Donations to the fund that may … or may not … force me to swim with the “Polar Bears” on Jan. 23 have begun to arrive here at the NEWS.

The good news: The Ronald McDonald House is already nearly $130 richer, thanks to the efforts of NEWS readers. The bad news: We’re still more than $870 short of our goal. And as I’ve previously written, until we reach the $1,000 mark, I reserve the right to remain dry … and warm.

In an alarming development, I learned that there are several would-be dippers who plan on joining a so-called “Speedo Brigade.” In an even more alarming development, some people who will remain nameless have offered astonishing amounts of cash, should I choose to join those skimpily clad dippers.

Seeing as how I’m a few Happy Meals heavier than most Speedo-wearers (except for the ones you find on Old Orchard Beach in July) … and seeing as how this is a family newspaper, and photos of the event may make their way into print, I’ll say just one thing: If it turns out to be 85 degrees … and nobody else shows up to dip … and NEWS readers reach the $100,000 plateau in their donations, I’ll consider donning a form-fitting Speedo.

Until then? If I swim … I do so in a (large, baggy) suit of my choice.

If you want to make me miserable (for a great cause), please consider sending a check (made out to the Ronald McDonald House or the WCCC Student Senate). Send them to my attention, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.

Coming up Saturday: Ice anglers and sledders alike have benefited from the recent cold weather. I’ve been receiving calls and e-mails from some of each, and will give you an update on ice conditions on some lakes and ponds.

If you have ice information (including trouble spots, if you know of any), feel free to share them by contacting me today or Friday.

Also on Saturday, I’ll give you another short update on the Polar Bear Dip. Who knows? By then, your donations may well have sealed my fate.

John Holyoke can be reached at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net or by calling 990-8214 or 1-800-310-8600.