Arnold Trail Sportsman’s Association

8/19/19

What is happening at your club!  At the monthly club meeting on Sunday, August 18^th several decisions were made.

The club championship that was tentatively scheduled for August 25^th has been cancelled for this year.  The Turkey Shoot tentatively scheduled for October 20^th was move to September 8^th which is also the date of the Richmond Field Day so it is now rescheduled for Sunday, October 6^th.  The Lobster Feed and Fun Shoot is still planned for September 22^nd.  This is one of our major fund raisers and great gathering of the membership with spouses and family welcome.  Jim will be raffling  off 7 flats of 12 or 20 gauge shells and for each fun shoot event you enter you will get an additional ticket for the over $300 worth of door prizes to be given away.  The meal tickets this year will be $25 for the lobster feed and $15 for the BBQ chicken dinner.  I hope you will mark this date on your calendar and plan to attend.

In the past we have tried to hold our Annual Meeting and Election of Officers in January.  The last few years we have run into stormy weather and postponed it till February.  To avoid this it was decided to hold this year’s Annual Meeting in conjunction with our monthly October meeting on Oct. 20^th.  More info about the meeting will be coming later.  However, one of the biggest decisions that will be made at the Annual Meeting will be to elect a new slate of officers. President Bill Kirby will be stepping down for health reasons and he now has other commitments that keep him from participating in club matters.  Everyone agrees that Bill has done an outstanding job directing the club for the past 15 years and his leadership will be greatly missed.  Bill does plan to remain a member and do what he can to help the club.  Secretary Jim McMullen also feels he should step down because he plans to spend 4 to 5 months of the winter in Florida.  With annual memberships coming due during his absents someone needs to take over that responsibility.  Like Bill, Jim when in Maine will continue to help guide the club, but during his absence in the winter months, he too will be missed. 

The nominating committee, with Dick Perkins as chairman, will also be looking to replace 2 of the Directors who are also stepping down.  Replacements in these key positions of the administration of Arnold Trail are major decisions.  I want to remind you that we would not have this great shooting facility at Arnold Trail if it wasn’t for the outstanding leadership we have had over the past 15 years. Yes, there is more to maintaining Arnold Trail than simple showing up on Sunday, shooting your 2-4 rounds and going home.  Arnold Trail needs members willing to step up and guide the club into the future.  If you would be willing to take on one of these responsible positions please contact Dick Perkins – 458-8446.

Another decision that was made at the monthly meeting was about a major purchase.  The club needs a tractor.  One that will handle a snow blower to clear the fields in the winter and a brush hog to maintain the open shot fall area in the summer.  This tractor should also have a bucket on the front to move gravel around for repairs to the driveway and shooting fields.  Secretary McMullen was instructed to talk with our good neighbor Dale Tilton at Farmer’s Choice to get a price on a used tractor that will do what needs to be done.  If anyone has such a tractor that they are thinking about selling give Jim a call – 465-3458.

See you at the range, Jim