Sportsmen discuss upcoming pancake breakfast
The St. Marys Sportsmen’s March membership meeting was called to order by President Kris Dippold. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the minutes of the February meeting were read by Secretary Joe Hoffman and these were approved as given. Joe, who is also Membership Chair, stated that the 2023 membership was now at 701 members. Treasurer Jerry Goetz then presented the financial report for the month of February and with a few questions was approved as given. Committee Reports. VP Bill Simbeck initiated a discussion on the possibility of a walking trail or trails on the Club’s property. Some of the directors’ concerns included where to put the “trails” as there is a lot of shooting at the Club’s ranges (rifle/pistol/trap/skeet), and the fact that the Club’s land is open to hunting. Bill will head a committee to see if it would be feasible to put a walking trail on the Club’s property, as well as an approximate cost to put a trail or trails on the property.
Director Paul Donachy will be ordering birds for the trap and skeet fields and noted along with everything else the price has gone up. He noted that this will probably result in an increased cost to shoot trap and skeet this year.
Director Fred Fritz, Rental Chair for the Farm, reported that there are a few open weekend dates left this summer. He noted that anyone interested in renting the pavilion/barn or the recreation room at the Farm should call him at 814-834-7626.
Director Jim Dippold stated that the remodeling at the Lodge is going well. He said it should be finished before the current rental season starts in April.
Director Phil Labant presented three items which will be brought up at Harrisburg at the end of the month. Should Deer season start on Monday as it had in the past? Members voted yes. Should seniors be able to kill spike deer? Members voted yes. Should the Game Commission stock Pine Martens? Members voted No.
Director Bill Kotalac noted that both the pistol and the rifle ranges are in good shape. Bill stated that one target holder has been replaced. It was noted that one of the gongs had fallen down and would be reset as soon as possible.
Director Jerry Olson informed the Club that the required application to put some Grass Carp in the pond has been sent into the Fish Commission.
New Business:
The Annual Pancake Breakfast will be held on March 26 at
the Farm. There is a fee. This includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, homemade sausage, orange juice, coffee. Breakfast times: 8 a.m. to noon. This is open to the public.
The Club will start stocking some of their 4,000+ fish after Easter
as this has been past practice.
President Kris Dippold reminded members that the Club has been having a workday on either Wednesday or Thursday each week and it depends on the weather what is going to be worked on. Start time
is 10 a.m. and quit time is 2 p.m. Help is appreciated. Check with any Director/Officer to find out which day the Club is working. Lunch will be provided at 2 p.m.
The next membership meeting will be held on Monday, April 3 at 9 p.m. at the Farm.