The meeting was called to order by the President, Tom Blair at 6:55pm.
The minutes of the March meeting was reviewed and approved.
Tim Riddle is traveling, so there is no treasurer's report at this time.
Leon Dunbar Leon reports that there is good activity with the 4-H Club. In the interest of avoiding confusion with meetings every other Saturday, the club will be meeting the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.
Corey Dickerson has been contracted to mow for the 2008 season for a cost of $50 per mow with a cap of $700 for the season plus a couple of 10-Round cards.
Leon has resumed his duties as Club Manager and will be operating the club on Sundays and Wednesdays for the season. Wednesday shooting resumed on April 2nd, and we have returned to our 4pm closing time on Sundays.
The club by-laws need to be evaluated and updated to, as a minimum, reflect the current meeting schedule.
We will plan to have a draft version of the by-laws for review at the May meeting.
Greg Maurer, a club member for the past several years, will host an atlatl event on April 26th. The atlatl is a prehistoric weapon, best described as a spear thrower. The atlatl association has provided proof of insurance coverage for the event.
The Women on Target event will be held on June 7th. Nancy Anisfield and Terry Wilson will be conducting a hunting dog demonstration during the lunch period at this event. The scheduling as been changed slightly from last year to provide for better time utilization. We still need volunteers to instruct.
The program known last year as the "Learn to Shoot Trap" program is once again funded by the NRA through the Vermont Federation of Sportsman's Clubs. In light of the funding source, the NRA has requested that it be promoted as an "NRA Trap Shooting Camp". This program will commence on May 4th, and will run through September. We need volunteers to help with registration and instruction.
As we approach our busier season, the issue of disposal of cardboard from target boxes and spent cartridges has been raised. Mike Weaver will follow up with All-Cycle regarding charges for dumpsters to be placed at the club.
Our Canterbury Voice Release system has been a bit temperamental this past winter. It was decided to send the microphones, cables, and controller back to Bob Schultz Target Shotguns for overhaul.
The need for repair and rebuild of the left trap house, plus an enclosure to house one of our new Winchester traps was addressed. Mike Weaver will develop a plan.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15pm.
Wednesday Shooting
We are now shooting regularly on Wednesdays from 4:00pm to dark, generally closing around 7:00pm. This is a great way to blow off some mid-week steam and retain your mental health for the remainder of the work week!
Thank you to the people who have helped to keep the club open and operating during the winter, with a special Thank You to Fred Stetson who has been a regular early morning contributor on many a Sunday.
Club Merchandise
We still have a good supply of club patches and a few Medium and one 2XL T-Shirt. Please see Tom or Leon at the club if you would like to purchase one of these items. We are planning to order some new T-Shirts for the Summer of 2008. The price on the new shirts is not yet firm, but we are expecting them to be around $12-$14. If you would be interested in one of the new T-Shirts, please let us know. You can reserve a shirt by dropping an email to tblairvt@comcast.net. Please include the size and number of shirts.
4-H Activities
The "Clay Crushers" 4-H club is holding a raffle to raise money for the club. The raffle tickets are $10 each. There will be a limited number sold, and the winner will receive a $500 gift certificate, to the gun shop of your choice in the area.
You can also help the club by donating to the lending library. The club is establishing a lending library of shooting sports related books, to be housed at NCSC. We already have a number of books donated by John Vibber. If you would also like to contribute, please bring them by the club during hours of operation, or give Gerry Moulton or Leon Dunbar a call. These can be books on firearms, gunsmithing, shooting sports, or hunting. Old magazines on these topics would also be appreciated.
Dumpster Update
As indicated in the minutes, we have now contracted for two dumpsters at the club, one for trash, including spent hulls, and one for cardboard recycling. The dumpsters have been delivered and are in operation. This seemed the environmentally responsible thing to do. Please help Leon and our club officers by separating your cardboard ammunition boxes from other trash, and paying attention to which container you are using. It will also help if you could please flatten all cardboard.
Women on Target
On June 7th, NCSC will once again host "Women on Target". We have grant funding from the NRA for this event. Last year it was very successful, and we certainly hope for another successful event this year. It is an introduction to shotgun sports for women, and as much as possible, it is conducted by women. Nancy Anisfield and Terry Wilson will be conducting a hunting dog demonstration during the lunch period. "Tank" was one of the highlights of the day last year! The scheduling as been changed slightly from last year to provide for better time utilization. This year we will have four groups of ten, starting at staggered times, instead of two groups of twenty-five. We still need volunteers to instruct. June 21st is the rain date. If you can help, can instruct, can organize, or are interested in participating, please let a club officer know. Registration forms are available on the website, or at the club.
Learn to Shoot Clinic
During the summer of 2007, NCSC sponsored a "Learn to Shoot" clinic every Sunday from May through September. It was a very successful program, and introduced around 200 people to shotgun sports. We have received a grant to continue the program from the NRA through the Vermont Federation of Sportsmans Clubs. At the request of the NRA, it will be known this year as the "NRA Trap Shooting Camp". The program is more formalized this year and will require complete registration for all participants, preferably in advance. Walk-Ins will be accepted at the discretion of the instructor. Classes will be limited to ten per session, with preference given to those students who have pre-registered. We desperately need people who can help with registration, who can instruct, or who can pull 5-Stand targets to free up Leon to instruct. Our first day for this program is May 4th. Very cool hats are available for instructors! If you can assist in any way, please let Tom Blair know. (see email and phone contact info at the end of this newsletter).
History Project
NCSC has a rich history. Help us by sharing what you know or have, like photos. Any interested historians are encouraged to get involved. Contact Gerry Moulton at 238-5960.
Upcoming Events
The Friends of the NRA will hold its annual banquet on May 3rd. Please plan to attend this event if you can, and support this organization.
In our Thoughts and Prayers
We have several members right now who are experiencing serious health problems. Gerry Moulton and Todd Murphy are battling some very aggressive and dangerous cancers. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
We are pleased to report that Burr Miller is back, making coffee, bringing the donuts, and shooting in the first squad each Sunday!
NCSC Classified
Your Classified ad could be appearing right here! Call or email Tom Blair to have your free classified ad inserted here.
Leon Dunbar has an extensive inventory of Solo powder, wads, and reloading presses. Here is a sampling of what is available:
64lbs Solo Powder in 8lb kegs - $75 Each
10,000 1 1/8 oz Pattern Control Wads
30,000 1 1/8 oz Remington Wads
1,000 1 1/8 oz Winchester AA Wads
All Wads $5 per bag of 500
Ponsness Warren 8000 12ga Press - $600
includes 8 lbs powder and 5,000 Remington wads
Hornady 410ga Press w/5,000 Rem wads - $200
1 MEC 600 Jr - 410ga - $50
2 MEC 600 Jr - 20ga - $50 Each
All of these items are being sold at very attractive prices, well below retail costs. (Sorry, no lead!) Give him a call at 802-233-4580.
NCSC Classified
Your Ad Here - Please see Tom Blair or email tblair@shootncsc.com
Learn to Shoot Clinic