DVSC News– July 2007

PO Box 151 Whitingham, VT 05361 802-368-2908

Next general meeting: Thursday, July 5^th at 7:30 p.m.

Welcome new members:

Nekki and Joseph Saladino,Tyson Kinney,Rod and Holly Caruso

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Upcoming Events:

Saturday, August 11th 10 a.m.—1 p.m.

Gerald Greene Memorial Shoot—in honor of one of the DVSC’s founding members. Compete for the best of two rounds of trap and enjoy a BBQ.

Sunday, August 12th 1-4 p.m.

Peter Johnson Shoot—teams of adults and youth compete in shotgun, .22 rifle, casting and archery with a BBQ.

Sunday, August 19th 2-6 p.m.

We are very excited to announce that the DVSC will be hosting a Lobster and Clam Bake. Tickets are $25 and include dinner for one—lobster, steamers and corn on the cob. Chicken will also be available for those who don’t eat seafood. More details of the fundraiser to be announced in this newsletter—stay tuned! For tickets, contact us at info@dvscvt.com or call 802-368-2908.

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Kids are Hooked!

The “Kids Hooked on Fishing Derby” sponsored by the Deerfield Valley Sportsmen’s Club Inc. was a great success again this year. The derby had 75 contestants, 39 contestants turned in 76 fish.

The overall smallest fish caught during the derby was Ethan Betit with a 5 3/8” Perch. David Galaske had the biggest fish caught with a 16.75” Pickerel. Alec Gamache & Taylor Crawford both won certificates and rod & poles for having the best score at the casting contest.

Under 4 years old:

Smallest Fish: Kyle Galaske 3 years old

Most Fish: Cody Birch 4 years old

Biggest Fish: Celia Betit 11.25” Trout

4-7 years old:

Smallest Fish: Bradley Boyd

Most Fish: Tadan Bolte

Biggest Fish: David Galaske 16.75” Pickerel

8-11 years old:

Smallest Fish: Ethen Betit

Most Fish: Natasha Dix

Biggest Fish: Tyler Dix 18 5/8” Bass

12-14 years old:

Smallest Fish: Joey Salidino

Most Fish: Maleaha Aquadro

Biggest Fish: Sergio Aquadro 12.25” Pickerel

40 additional Gift Certificates were given out. Each child had a random chance as each of their names were put in a raffle for prizes. Gifts were donated by Shaw’s, Burger King, The Wilmington White House, Wahoo’s, North Star Bowling, C& S Beverage, Flame Stables, Pat Pattenson Sugar House Builders, Jacksonville Store, Whitingham Country Store and Brian Dix. The Department of Fish and Wildlife donated 200 Brook Trout and non-lead sinkers for the

Thank you to all of the volunteers that help, without you, putting on a derby of this size wouldn’t be possible. Special thanks to Debbie Cox for all of her hard work

and dedication to organize this great event!

Congratulations, Graduate!

Congratulations to Amber Cox (affectionately known as “Ugly” to some) – this year’s recipient of the Truman Greene Scholarship. Amber wrote an outstanding essay for her application and will be leaving Whitingham this fall to attend Paul Smith’s College in the Adirondacks, to major in Wildlife Ecology and Biology.

The scholarship was presented by club treasurer Joe Szarejko at Twin Valley High School’s Senior Awards Night.

Amber was the recipient of many other scholarships including Principals Award, The Newton Baker Masonic Scholarship, Brothers of Unity Lodge, Cecil A. Davis American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship, Eastman Memorial Scholarship, Greenfield Everyday Heroes Scholarship, Vermont Trappers Association and the Doug Bartlet Award for Excellence in School.

We wish Amber well in her studies!

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New Sign-in on the Range

You may have noticed something new if you have visited the rifle/handgun range lately. The DVSC Vice president, Joe Mancini made a fantastic weather-proof box for a sign-in sheet and membership forms, and a sign asking shooters to “sign in” and indicate the times/date that the range was used.

We are always looking for ways to promote safety and responsible use of the club. We are aware that sometimes non-members use the range and may not know how to become members.

With this new sign in system, club officers, directors and range officers can check in with shooters on the range to verify membership, and we can get an

idea of the frequency and times of day that the range is in use by members.

Thank you, Joe for this great contribution to the range.

…and thanks to Diane, for this great contribution to our holiday potluck!

Diane Mancini’s Country Sweet Potato Casserole

Preheat oven to 375.

Peel, boil and mash 5-6 sweet potatoes

Cream together:

¾ stick butter

2 eggs

1 C Sugar

Add to sweet potatoes and mix well. Spoon into casserole dish and bake for 20-25 minutes. Lower oven to 350. Remove casserole from oven and spread topping evenly, baking for an additional 15 minutes.

Topping - melt together:

½ stick butter

¾ C light brown sugar

Add: 1 C pecan pieces

½ C Shredded Coconut

½ C crushed corn flakes

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Not the same derby next year…

We all had a great time at this year’s annual Harriman Reservoir Ice Fishing Derby, but share the frustration of the participants that so few tagged fish were caught. After listening to lots of feedback, both out on the ice and around town, we have decided to change the way we do the derby for 2008.

We are changing the prizes so that the participants are guaranteed more and the club and advertisers pay less money to the company that insures the prize fish. Visit the website or come to the next meeting to hear more., but here are a few of the changes so far:

Each derby ticket=1 entry to a raffle for a new 4WD 4x4, 2nd prize is a gas powered auger.

$300 for heaviest fish (any category) on Saturday and again on Sunday

Seven categories of fish, caught by adult: 1^st prize = $250, 2^nd prize = $150, 3^rd prize = $75

The DVSC ice fishing derby is a wonderful event and an ENORMOUS project that takes lots of work to organize each year, but keeps the club afloat financially! Without it, we would not be able to cover even our basic operating expenses.

While it does seem odd to be thinking about ice fishing in the middle of the summer, that is when the work of putting on this event begins. We need your help! Come to the next general meeting to give us your feedback about our new ideas and sign up to help make this another successful year for the ice fishing derby, and the Deerfield Valley Sportsmen’s Club.

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We want your ideas, your stories and your photos!

WEBSITE—we have a new website, thanks to the efforts of DVSC member, Charlie Caldwell. Thanks, Charlie! We would love to hear your feedback, suggestions and ideas about the content of the site—and post your pictures on the member photo gallery.

Email us at info@dvscvt.com

NEWSLETTER—we are trying something new this month for those of you that asked to receive your newsletter electronically. Instead of emailing you the newsletter, as you may have noticed, we are sending you a link to the website, where the newsletter has been posted. This stops us from clogging up your inbox with a too-big file and allows visitors to the website to read the newsletter. We are still working out a few of the bugs and hope to improve the format of the newsletter over the next few months. Let us know how this is working for you!

We want to hear your stories about hunting, fishing or just romping around in the wilds! Please send us your stories for the newsletter, give us your feedback and tell us about what kinds of activities you would like to see the club involved.

Most of all, we need your input and participation at club meetings and events.

NEXT GENERAL MEETING: July 5th at 7:30 p.m. Hope to see you there!