MARCH 2005 NEWSLETTER
© Bruce Buck, editor
ANNUAL MEETING
East Mountain Preserve
February 20, 2005
One of the nice things about editing the Travelers’ newsletter is that
some things never change. That allows me to shirk my escritorial
(computatorial?) duty and rely on moldy boilerplate from the same
event a year previous.
In the case of the CTSCA annual meeting, that’s not all bad either.
2005 starts our 19th year. We have a successful machine that is pretty
much on auto pilot. “If it ain’t broke…” Still, the odd adjustment is
always appropriate and our leadership is very much aware of that. As
any good fish knows, you drown if you don’t keep swimming forward.
Out of engineering and piscatorial analogies, on to bidness. The
bottom line is that your Connecticut Travelers are in good shape.
President, el jefe supremo, Al Anglace, our resident benevolent
dictator, told us that we are fiscally sound, but we could use more
input from the members. As in any organization, 5% of the people do
95% of the work. This works fine as long as it isn’t always the same
5%. Then it gets old fast. Al urged that more of the members,
especially the new ones, get involved in the running of a couple of
the club’s events. You wouldn’t be on the hook in perpetuity either. A
simple call or email to Al volunteering to help as needed would be
very much appreciated.
Membership chairwoman Cyndi Dalena said that we have grown to 490
members from fifteen states. Like Topsy, we keep on growing. Imagine
what it would be like if everyone came to the same shoot. Connecticut
202, New York 192, New Jersey 42, Rhode Island 12, Massachusetts 12,
Pennsylvania 8, Florida 4, New Hampshire 4, Vermont 3, Canada 4,
Tennessee 2, South Carolina 2, Texas 1, Maryland 1, Minnesota 1.
Special recognition was given to George Parsons for running our very
successful Video Rental Program. He has over 30 videos on how to shoot
for rent to members.
Our Board of Directors (Al Anglace, President, Don Brenton, secretary,
Cyndi Dalena, membership, John Lawlor, Bill Drake and Lans
Christensen, was re-elected by acclamation. Some things are a life
sentence.
Al mentioned our continuing support of the Harold Koehler Society. We
recently raised over $5,000 for scholarships in conservation and the
trades. We have contributed $20,000 over the years.
New members present were introduced and then everyone tucked into Chef
Mark’s roast beef luncheon. Properly fortified, we shot an informal
round of sporting clays on George Holomakoff’s challenging East
Mountain course.
There has been some talk about going back to the original Traveler’s
idea of the “International Sporting” format. On a typical two machine
station, you’d a single from one machine, then from the other. Then
you’d get a report pair and finally a true pair. That gives the most
variety possible from two machines. It takes very little more time,
but it can be confusing for trappers who don’t have good communication
with the shooting stand. If you like, or dislike, the idea, let Al
know at CTSCA@email.com .
HELP AT “RELOAD!”…
Want a corner office in the massive “Reload!” complex that hovers over
the quaint Connecticut seaport town like a benevolent colossus? We
could sure use some help at the newsletter. You deserve a fresh point
of view.
I’m very grateful for new member John Hachmann volunteering to do a
little piece on the history of our club for some issues. Lans
Christensen has always been there for “Reload!” to do a shoot report
when needed.
Bob Schraeger has volunteered to take some photos of club events. If
we can’t work them into the newsletter, maybe we’ll do a blog. Anyone
know how to set one of those up?
EASTERN SHORE SPRING TRIP 2005
(Connecticut Travelers members and their guests)
PARTICIPATE IN ANY OR ALL PARTS OF THE WEEKEND. SELECT BELOW. ALL
MEALS MUST BE PAID IN ADVANCE NOT LATER THAN MARCH 26, 2005.
Mail this form with the appropriate boxes marked and your check made
out to “CTSCA” in advance for the meals to 91 Park Lane Road, New
Milford, CT 06776. It’s OK to use one check for all the different
meals. For additional information please contact Al Anglace at
aaa738@aol.com or cell phone 203 417-6295.
HOTELS: The Travelers have reserved 25 rooms at the Comfort Inn, Kent
Narrows, 3101 Main St., Grasonville, MD, tel: 410-827-6767, within
walking distance of the restaurants, for $99 per night. There is also
a Holiday Inn Express nearby at $139.95. For other hotels in the area,
search www.hotels.com and www.travelocity.com .
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2005
12:30 PM, HOPKINS GAME FARM, 13003 Turners Creek Road, Kennedyville,
MD –tel: 410-348-5287. DIRECTIONS: Travel South on I-95 to Route 13
South. Take Route 13 South to Odessa, Delaware. Make a right on Route
299 (Middletown). Follow to Route 301 South. Exit 301 at Route 290
(Chestertown/Galena). Make right off the exit ramp and follow into
Galena. At traffic light in Galena go straight. You will then be on
Route 213. Follow for 7 miles to Route 298 (Vonnie's Restaurant on
left). Make a right on Route 298. Travel 1.5 miles and make a right on
Turners Creek Road. Hopkins Game Farm is 1/2 mile on right.
7:30PM, HARRIS’S CRAB HOUSE – 433 Northway Kent Narrows, Grasonville,
MD. Tel: 410-827-9500. DIRECTIONS: Routes 301/50 to Kent Narrows. Exit
42. Follow signs to restaurant. Cocktail Party/Buffet Dinner with all
the fixins featuring Crab Imperial and Top Round of Beef (cash bar).
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2005
9:30 AM, PINTAIL POINT, 511 Pintail Point Lane, Queenstown, MD, Tel:
410-827-7029. DIRECTIONS: Go south on I-95 to Route 896 East, Exit 1A,
Middletown, Delaware. Turn right at Route 301 intersection - South and
follow for approximately 45 miles. At intersection 301/213 take Route
213 South to Route 50 West. Follow 50 West for approximately 2.5
miles, turn left on Carmichael Road. Pintail Point is located 1.5
miles on the right.
1:30PM, OWEN’S STATION SPORTING CLAYS, 12613 Hunter’s Cove Road,
Greenwood, DE, Tel: 302- 349-4334 DIRECTIONS: Located 30 minutes South
of Dover, Delaware just off Route 16 between Ellendale and Greenwood.
Owens Station is located 2.5 miles east of the Route 13 and 16
junction at Greenwood. From Route 13, drive east on Route 16 and turn
right on Hunters Cove Road to Owens Station.
7:30PM, HARRIS’S CRAB HOUSE – 433 Northway Kent Narrows, Grasonville,
MD Dinner and cocktails (cash bar.) Make selection(s):New York Strip
Steak- Broiled Flounder- Steamed Shrimp Platter- Grilled Tuna-BBQ
Chicken and-Rack of Ribs-All are served with baked potato, vegetable,
corn muffin, tossed salad, dessert and coffee, tea or soda.
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2005
10:30 AM, M&M HUNTING PRESERVE, Two Winslow Road, Pennsville, NJ
08070, Tel: 856- 935-1230. DIRECTIONS: From South--95 North to Wilm,
DE over Del Mem Bridge. Take 295 North for 1/4 Mile, 3rd Exit
1C---Hook Rd. Follow Hook Rd to Winslow Rd on Left (Our Driveway).
THE SCHOLASTIC CLAY TARGET PROGRAM
contributed by Cyndi Dalena
The declining numbers of youth participating in the shooting sports is
a popular topic at sportsmen’s clubs around the country, and the
National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and its partners have
created a program that is successfully reversing this trend. The
Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP), developed and administered by
the NSSF, is a youth development program focused on providing young
people with a positive experience in shooting sports and to emphasize
the values of sportsmanship, responsibility, self-discipline, and
commitment.
SCTP participants learn the safe and responsible handling and use of
firearms. They discover the joy of contributing to a shared team goal
and the commitment that goes along with it. During this self-discovery
process, team members develop proficiency in a sport that can be
shared and enjoyed with family and friends for a lifetime.
Youth from the elementary grades through high school are eligible to
participate in these safe, sanctioned, and nationally recognized clay
target sports which provide competitive opportunities for SCTP Teams
at the local, state, regional, and national levels. In addition to
state and national recognition, the program provides the nation’s
young adult skeet, trap and sporting clays shooters an opportunity to
compete for over $80,000 in scholarship funds.
SCTP began in 2001 as the Scholastic Trapshooting Program with a
partnership the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA). Trapshooting
was chosen for the pilot program because trap is oldest and largest of
the three major clay target disciplines. After a great first year the
program was expanded to its current format, which includes skeet and
sporting clays. By 2004, SCTP grew to nearly 4,000 participants
nationwide in 37 states. The 2004 SCTP Trap Championships at the
Grand American attracted over 1000 competitors.
For a quick overview of SCTP I listed some Fast Facts:
Program Goals:
• SAFE and Responsible Handling and Use of Firearms
• Character and Citizenship Development through Teamwork
• Introduction to a Lifetime Sport that families do together
Program Sponsorship:
The National Shooting Sports Foundation along with its partners the
Amateur Trapshooting Association, the National Skeet Shooting
Association, and the National Sporting Clays Association.
Program Disciplines:
Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays.
Program Focus:
TEAMS! Participation requires team membership. Each team must
register with the SCTP National Program Office.
Registration Cost:
FREE! Team Supervision:
An adult Coach leads each team.
Participant Eligibility:
Students enrolled in Elementary, Middle, Junior, or Senior High
School
Basic Competitive Unit:
The SQUAD. The minimum squad size is five (5) for Trap and three (3)
for both Skeet & Sporting Clays. Teams must have at least one full
squad to become an officially recognized SCTP team. There is no upper
limit to the number of members on a team or to the number of squads a
team may field.
Competitive Divisions:
• Rookie Division — 5th graders and below
• Junior Division — 6th, 7th and 8th graders
• Senior Division — 9th – 12th graders
Balanced Skill Levels:
Novice and Experienced Categories in the Junior and Senior Divisions.
Competitive Levels:
Competition is conducted at local, regional, state, and national
levels. Special Team Awards:
SCTP awards to the starting members of the top three squads in each
Division and Category at the SCTP State and National Championships in
Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays. Program Materials:
Each team member receives a FREE SCTP hat and T-shirt.
Program Assistance:
A limited number of Program Support Packages are available to help
qualifying new teams. Packages include: ammunition, targets, eye and
ear protection, and shell pouches.
Complete information on eligibility, registration procedures, awards
and more are available in the Scholastic Clay Target Program’s
OFFICIAL HANDBOOK -2005.
To find out more about SCTP and how you become involved, or to order a
DVD and handbook, please visit the website www.nssf.org/sctp, or
contact Zach Snow zsnow@nssf.org, 203-426-1320.
*** 2005 CTSCA SHOOTING CALENDAR ***
MAR 20 MARCH MADNESS - MID HUDSON SHOOTING GROUNDS, NY
APR 8~10 TRAVELERS SPRING TRIP- SUNSHINE, HERE WE COME!
APR 17 TAX TIME REVOLT- OLD NEWGATE COON CLUB, CT
MAY tba COURTING CLAYS- venue to be announced
MAY 15 MAY MINUET- TAMARACK PRESERVE, NY
JUN 12 RUDY PASSERO CLUB CH- MID-HUDSON SHOOTING GROUNDS, NY
JUL 17 SUMMERTIME, SUMMERTIME- ORVIS/SANDANONA, NY
AUG 12~14 GREAT EASTERN LOBSTER CLASSIC- ADDIEVILLE EAST FARM, RI
SEP 18 SEPTEMBERSHUTZENFEST-MILLBROOK ROD & GUN CLUB, NY
SEP 30-OCT 2ANNUAL FALL TRIP- PA & NY WEEKEND TOUR
OCT 16 SMALL GAUGE CLUB CH- FAIRFIELD COUNTY FISH AND GAME, CT
NOV 13 monthly shoot- to be announced
NOV 27 KOEHLER SOCIETY FUNDRAISER-venue to be announced
DEC 18 DICK LOSEE MEMORIAL SHOOT /CHRISTMAS PARTY- MID COUNTY, NY
*** OTHER 2005 SHOOTS OF INTEREST ***
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM
MAR 25 GOOD FRIDAY SHOOT, NEWGATE COON CLUB, CT, 860-738-3619
MAY 29 3 SHOT PIG ROAST- 180 BIRDS, NEWGATE COONCLUB, CT, 860-738-3619
APR 15~17 BIG SEAFOOD BLAST, M&M SHOOTING PRESERVE, NJ, 856-935-1230
APR 24 GATOR SHOOT, FAIRFIELD COUNTY FISH & GAME, CT, 203 426-8508
MAY 17~22 U.S. OPEN, M&M SHOOTING PRESERVE, NJ, 856-935-1230
CONTACTING THE TRAVELERS...
CTSCA Home Office: Email <ctsca @email.com> (by far the best way) or
telephone 860-354-9351 if you absolutely must.
Membership, Address Changes and Shooting Class status: Contact Cyndi
Dalena at 860-582-3142 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Or Email
<shotguncyndi@prodigy.net>.
Guide Book questions, Dick Orenstein <oren@umich.edu> or call
203-226-5251.
To place an ad, post a shoot date in Reload! or simply heap abuse on
the editor, contact Bruce Buck at tel: 203-454-1080, or email:
<bcb23@columbia.edu>.
***FOR SALE***
CLASSIFIED ADS
***WANTED***
Nuthin this month. It’s just plain not natural to be so satisfied with
what you already have.
CLUB HISTORY by John Hachmann
As the newly appointed “Club Historian” it is my job to write a short
piece for each of our monthly newsletters. Inasmuch as I am a new
member of this fine organization, I honestly have very little
knowledge of Connecticut Travelers’ history. During the next few
weeks I will be reviewing as many of the past “RELOAD” newsletters as
possible in an attempt to familiarize myself with the Club and the
Newsletter format. Anyone having suggestions as to what they feel
this column should include, please e-mail me at obuc@optonline.net.
After reviewing only a few past “RELOAD” newsletters, the following
“Historical Information” was available… “NA” is not available
New members in ‘05 are NA
Non-Renewals in ’05 are NA
New members in ‘04 were 54
Non-Renewals in ‘04 were 28
New members in ‘03 were 50
Non-Renewals in ‘03 were 30
New members in ‘02 were NA
Non-Renewals in ‘02 were NA
New members in ‘01 were 45
Non-Renewals in ’01 were NA
New members in ’00 were 56
Non-Renewals in ’00 were NA
Average annual membership growth of the CTSCA, based on VERY limited
input, is approximately 23 members.
In closing I would like to thank Ron Leonardi for sponsoring my
membership in the CTSCA and for being a great “Friend” and valued
“Mentor”, not only on the Sporting Clays field, but more importantly
in everyday life.
Looking forward to meeting you all at the March Madness Shoot at
Mid-Hudson.
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2005
MARCH MADNESS SHOOT
MID-HUDSON GUN CLUB
NEW PALTZ, NY
You have all heard the phrase "mad as a March hare". Well, it is
March, we are dealing with some rabbits and besides, a little
eccentricity is good for the soul. As Montaigne essayed four hundred
years ago- "A man must be a little mad if he does not want to be even
more stupid." The Frenchman poses a Hobson's choice if ever there
was one.
Mad or not, March is always an interesting time to hold a shoot.
Those of you who have become bored shooting hundred straights may rest
assured that Mid-Hudson’s Mike Maglio will keep you entertained. If
you don’t think so, you satisfy both of Monsieur Montaigne's
requirements.
The cost is $65 and will include a continental breakfast, delightfully
sadistic targets, sumptuous lunch plus the usual lavish prizes from
Tiffany, Cartier and Wal-Mart. Suchadeal! Naturally, you have to get
your prepaid reservation in to the home office no later than
Wednesday, March 16. Same with cancellations. No-show’s entry fees
are donated to our children’s charity. GUESTS ARE WELCOME AT THIS
SHOOT.
For those so inclined, our usual Connecticut Travelers subgauge
handicaps will apply. 12 ga = 0, 16 ga = 3, 20 ga = 5, 28 ga = 10, 410
bore = 20, pump or SxS gets an additional 5. So, if you shoot a 410
pump, you’ll get 25 birds. In the March wind and chill, that may be
all you get with the idiot stick. The Technoid reminds us that
shooting in March winds in the NorthEast is the time for big guns, big
shells, big pellets, small egos—and high boots! Remember the mud.
Directions to Mid-Hudson Trap and Skeet Club, New Paltz, NY: Take the
New York State Thruway to Exit 18 “New Paltz”. After the tollbooth go
100 yards to the traffic light on Rte 299. Turn Right onto Rte 299.
Go about _ mile on Rte 299 to the next traffic light. Turn Left at
that traffic light onto N. Ohioville Road. Go 2.7 miles on N.
Ohioville Road to the Mid-Hudson club entrance on your left. If lost,
strayed or stolen call the club at 845-255-7460.
NOTE: EYE AND EAR PROTECTION IS MANDATORY AT ALL TRAVELERS’ SHOOTS!