Return Home

Welcome to the new year, 2006 is here and we are ready for a great season with some outstanding shooting events.

The December elections had one of the largest turn out of members I have ever seen, we couldn't have asked for anything better. Now that they are over with here is the listing of officers and directors for this current year.

NAME	POSITION	COMMITTEE CHAIR	PHONE
Joe Cifarelli	President	Member All Committees	724-5381 (Work)
Al Leone	Vice President	Public Relations and Membership	737-8795
David Cruger	Secretary	Grievance	732-3560
Bob Novak	Treasurer		737-8557

Manny Clothakis	Director	Special Events	337-8810
Bruce Cowen	Director	Building and Grounds	853-5283
Mili Irizarry	Director	Education and Training	655-9699
George Mair	Director	Beverage and Kitchen	853-2514
Dave Parda	Director	Shooting Venues	843-4070
Jerry Rubitski	Director	Environmental	853-1223
Bruce Wellman	Director	Finance/Chairman of the Board	337-7525

CLUB NEWS AND EVENTS
RENEW YOUR 2006 MEMBERSHIP If you have not renewed your 2006 membership please do so right away. This is how the club pays its taxes and we all know Uncle Sam wants his money.
The January membership meeting it was voted on to lock up the bar area and the back room. They will be opened during normal club hours and for special events. Normal club hours are Sunday 12:00pm until closed. This is being done to protect the club and it's liquor license. The license is being renewed and John La Porte has volunteered to put his name on the license as the ABC officer. He was approved by the membership with a 18 to 0 vote	With the club purchasing more equipment we are looking at building a shed on the end of the barn. This will allow us to store all our equipment inside, things like traps and the tractor bucket. Anyone with any experience in shed building or would like to help please contact Bruce Cowen the building and grounds chairman.
In addition to the renewing of the liquor license it was suggested that the club change the license from beer only to liquor, beer and wine. The fee for this is: Liquor (Includes Beer/Wine) = 2 years $500 + $200 filling fee. This topic will be discussed and voted on at the next membership meeting Feb 28th at 7:30pm. Please attend and lets hear your opinion on this. As always Safety first. No drinking until your are done shooting for the day.	Winter Sporting Clays will be shot in the woods every other week. The alternate week the 5-stand will be open. Skeet will be open every Sunday and trap will be weather permitting. Dave Parda has put out some outstanding Sporting Clays courses, come and put your skills to the test. The club had a couple of FITASC events last year and we are looking forward to continuing that so look for that event to appear in the schedule soon
The club is once again going to be holding the Dave M. Philipson Memorial Sporting Clays Tournament is support of the Boy Scouts. The preliminary date is Saturday June 17th so keep your schedule open and come help support this great event.	The Hospice Charity event has been such an outstanding success and each year it keeps getting bigger and bigger. Last year we raised $2,550 add to that the $2,100 we raised in 2004 and this club has been able to raise $4,650 in support of our local Hospice & Palliative Care. Last year John La Porte, Al Paniccia and myself (David Cruger) were invited by Hospice to present the clubs check on their TV marathon show. That was a very nice invitation and shows how much our charity event means to the people at Hospice. This year we are planning to have it Saturday July 29th. We need all the help we can get in finding corporate sponsors and individual sponsors, so ask your boss, your co-workers, neighbors, friends and family, anyone you can think of to help us raise money for this great event.
August will be the famous Beretta Shoot. This is sponsored by Ray Majka of F.E.R shooting and Beretta. This will be a 100 Bird Sporting Clays trophy event you will not want to miss. The preliminary date is Sunday August 27th.
In September the club will be hosting the Clinton Fish and Game Club - Memorial Sporting Clays event. Honoring passed members for their contribution to the club and the shooting community. Another outstanding 100 Bird Sporting Clays shoot. The preliminary date is Saturday September 23rd.
Sporting Clays Dates 02/12, 02/26, 03/12, 03/26 04/09, 04/23, 05/07, 05/21 06/04, 06/18, 07/02, 07/16 07/30, 08/13, 08/27, 09/10, 09/24	5-Stand Dates 02/19, 03/05, 03/19, 04/02 04/16, 04/30, 05/14, 05/28 06/11, 06/25, 07/09, 07/23 08/06, 08/20, 09/03, 09/17
A general reminder about trash. This is one of those standard little statements. If you bring it to the club please throw it away. Put it in a trash can, dump it in the dumpster, or simply take it home with you. Please don't leave it around for others to pick up. From shell boxes, to pizza boxes, to coffee cups, find a place to dispose of it properly.	George Mair is looking into a pheasant raising and hunting program for members only. A club member has volunteered his land to release the birds on for member hunting only. Please get with George Mair and let him know if you are interested in this program. Cost of the program is currently being worked on and anyone willing to help George out please let him know.
The issue of shooting lead over the pond is always a hot topic. Currently the clubs position is steel ONLY. Jerry Rubitski is currently looking into the environmental issues in hopes of finding something that will allow us to shoot lead again, but until then steel shot only. Ray Majka is getting quotes on what it would cost to drain and fill the pond in, allowing us to use that area for shooting. Again you are encouraged to come to the February meeting to continue to discuss this hot topic issue. Also please contact your State Assembly person and ask them to support bill A07905 which would provide exemption to shooting ranges from lead level requirements which are direct results of their shooting activities. For more details visiting the New York State Assembly website at: http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=a7905	And always remember to put your tip in the tip jar. These young trappers work hard and we want to make sure we keep them happy.

Here are the dates for the general membership meetings.
Everyone is urged to attend and show your support for the club.
Only through your voice can your ideas be known.

Meeting Date Tuesday - 7:30pm
January 31, 2006	July 25, 2006
February 28, 2006	August 29, 2006
March 28, 2006	September 26, 2006
April 25, 2006	October 31, 2006
May 30, 2006	November 28, 2006
June 27, 2006	December 26, 2006

Comments, questions, or suggestions can be directed to me, David Cruger, via email david@jetnet.com via snail mail at 26 Farview Heights, Utica, NY 13501, or at the club when you see me.