President’s Message
(March 2021)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and our concerns of being able to maintain social distancing in the club house, our annual meeting scheduled for March 27, 2021 is cancelled and will be rescheduled in the May/June time frame when the meeting can be held outside. I will however, inform the membership on the results of the board of directors’ election when the votes are tabulated later this month.
The board has approved and has purchased a new John Deere tractor to replace our current tractor which is beyond economical repair. This new machine has a 54-inch mowing deck and is fitted with a 44-inch snow blower. Only authorized members are allowed to operator this tractor and our zero turn Toro mower.
The board has also approved the purchase of two new MEC trap machines for the 5-stand venue. I will provide more information once the machines are delivered
Now that the weather is getting nicer and COVID-19 vaccines are becoming available, I hope to see more of you returning and enjoying our wonderful club. Please feel free to invite friends, relatives and neighbors that are interested in the shotgun shooting sports to come on out with you. We would love to show them around and hopefully entice them to become members.
The registered skeet shoot scheduled for June has been cancelled due to some confusion on our planned dates.
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.
| Rockford Skeet Club Coronavirus Guidelines |
- 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 – TBD
- Cleanup Day – 5/8/21
- Registered Skeet Shoot – cancelled
- 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.