President’s Message
(February 2021)
The February 1, 2021 deadline to pay dues has passed. In order to be reinstated, a new membership application will be required with a check for $175.00. Also, nominations for running for the Board of Directors positions of vice president, treasurer, and the three directors were due by February 1 and is now closed.
The 2021 Budget has been approved and is posted in the club house.
The Board has approved a bid from club member Rich Tomasewski to paint and repair the skeet houses, replace the stairs, and to install rain gutter on the houses. Work will begin in the spring. We may be asking members to help with this project. When work is being done on a particular skeet field, shooting will be suspended on that field until the work is completed. All other fields will remain open.
The board is considering a handgun safety course and offering a day of shooting instructions for all venues contingent upon the Covid-19 conditions and membership interest. If held, they will probably be offered late summer or early fall. I will keep you posted.
Winter shooting rules are in effect as follows.
- Trap and skeet fields and sidewalks are to be cleared of snow before shooting. Shovels are outside of the club house and in the storage barn. The snow blower is available for use and is located in the storage barn. Do not shoot on fields that have not been cleared of snow. Doing so will compact the snow and make it difficult to remove. It is everyone’s job to pitch in to remove snow from the sidewalks and shooting fields.
- As always, gun cases are not permitted in the club house. Guns will be permitted, but it is strongly suggested that they only be kept inside if it is raining or snowing.
- Social distancing: Please spread out adhering to the six-foot rule when shooing, socializing, using the club house and pretty much all activities at the club. Working out of your car and utilizing additional seating outdoors such as lawn chairs is recommended. If you can’t maintain 6 feet distance, please where a mask.
- Club House: The club house is open but food should not be prepared. There are hand sanitizers and wipes in the club house for everyone’s use. In addition, we got lucky and have enough paper towels for foreseeable future so please feel free to wash your hands frequently. Also, there is tape on the floor marking six feet distances for your reference. As it gets colder, you may use the club house to warm up but please maintain your distance inside. If you can’t, please wear a mask.
- On the fields: Best practice is still to have an individual puller for each squad responsible for sanitizing the remote. If you can’t designate such an individual, please be sure to disinfect the remote and again wash your hands frequently. Also, spread out so that six feet distances can be maintained. If you can’t please wear a mask.
If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at 815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-456-2871, or Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.
2021 Club Projects
- Skeet field 1 cement sidewalk from station 4 to station 8 and walks from all skeet fields high houses to the stairs – on hold
- Skeet and trap House maintenance – spring time frame
- Paint propane tank – in process complete in spring
2021 Events
- Annual Meeting – 3/27/21
- Cleanup Day – 5/8/21
- Registered Skeet Shoot – 6/26 & 6/27/2021
- Club Fun Day – 7/17/21
- Landfill Lunch – 9/17/21
- Pig roast – 10/2/21
Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.
Best Regards,
Sam Valenza
President, Rockford Skeet Club
Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement
The Rockford Skeet Club’s objectives are to encourage organized target shooting; to forward the development of those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship. It is the duty of all members to contribute to the wellbeing, to protect, to grow, and to enhance the club and its members now and in the future.