President’s Message

(February 2023)

The 2023 membership renewal signup is now completed as of February 1. We lost members for various reasons which included death, illness, and relocation. We as a club are still very strong financially. As in the past, we will hopefully gain new members during the year to make up for the loss. We normally lose between 8 to 10% each year.

Our annual meeting is set for March 25 at 9:00 am in the club house. The board of directors will be addressing club finances, events and projects, election results, a guest waiver, and will take questions from the attendees.

Starting April 1, 2023, guests will be required to sign a waiver of liability. The guest procedure will be updated and communicated in my monthly newsletter in March. It is expected that all members will follow this procedure when bringing guests to the club.

The handgun range heater is still not working properly. We will make one more attempt to fix it and if not successful, it will be returned to the supplier under warranty.

As previously stated, a new furnace will be installed in the club house and is schedules for installation in the next couple of weeks. I will let you know which day it will be installed. Of course, there will not be any heat on that day.

George Ketter has agreed to have another pistol league in the spring. If you are interested, please send George an email at geosueket@gmail.com.

We are still working on getting Wi-Fi for the club. We have been told by Comcast that it will now cost us around $20,000 to $25,000 to have them run a cable to the club house. This is cost prohibitive and we are now looking for other providers.

WINTER SHOOT RULES

The following winter shooting rules are affective immediately:

• 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

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483, or Dan Gengo at 815-572-1423. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2023 Projects

• Club internet
• Replace furnace
• Card readers
• Seal coat parking lot
• Repair skeet light
• Repair/replace handgun range heater
• Install a vent in the club house closet door

2023 Events

• Annual meeting – 3/25/2023
• Spring cleanup day – 5/5/2023
• Fun day – 6/24/2023
• Fun day – 8/26/23
• Landfill lunch – 9/22/23
• Venue tutorials – TBD

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote 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 membership.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

RCS BOD, February 7  

PRESENT:  Sam Valenza,  Al Perry, Randy Scott, Steve Wiltgen, Bill Shold Caleb Davis, Mike Buckman and guest Dave Zierke
 Todd Hendreys

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of January / 2023 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

New Business:

1. Introduction to 5 stand– Summer
2. Membership committee, working on new ideas
3. club internet, TBD
4. Handgun league – April through October
5. New furnace – Approved,6-0   
6. New member orientation, 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month
7. Guest Waiver, Starting 4/1/23            
8. BOD nominations – VP Al Perry, Treasurer David Zierke, Directors Bill Shold, Mike Buckman, Steve Wiltgen

Projects for 2023

• Card reader systems, TBD
• Seal coat parking lot, spring
• Replace skeet light, in process
•  Venue Tutorials, TBD
• Replace Handgun heater

2023 Events

• Annual meeting – March 25^th
• Spring cleanup – May 6^th
• Fun days – June 24^th and August 26^th
• Landfill lunch – August 22nd

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting March 7 , 2023                                                                                 

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary                                                                                                                                                              

President’s Message

(January 2023)

The invoices for the 2023 membership have been mailed. Let me know if you did not receive yours by emailing me at sam.valenza@att.net. Payment has to be received by February 1, 2023 in order to continue your membership. Payment received after February 1, 2023 will not be accepted. In order to be reinstated, a new membership application will be required with a check for $175.00

2022 was another busy and eventful year at the Rockford Skeet Club. The following are the major projects and events that were done during the year. The project included refurbishing the trap houses, installing a heater in the handgun range, repaired club house roof, purchased a new gas grill, and added fill gravel to the handgun/5-stand access road. The events included skeet, handgun, and 5-stand leagues, two club fun days, landfill lunch, cleanup day, and a skeet tutorial.

If any member would like to run or nominate someone for the Board of Directors positions of vice president, treasurer, and the three directors for 2023, please contacts Gino Nizzi at election@rockfordskeetandtrap.com. If you have already submitted a nomination, please resend it as the email address has changed as shown above. Nominations are due by February 1, 2023.

The club is still selling gift certificates. For $20 you can get two rounds for a guest and two rounds for yourself to help introduce our sport to your friends.  There is no guest fee to be paid!  For the next several Saturdays at 10 am board members will be at the club house to sell gift certificates. The offer is good for purchase through 1/31/2023, and certificates may be redeemed until 12/31/2023.

The BOD was considering having a monthly Saturday breakfast. Since no one volunteered to work, we won’t be having this event. If anyone would like to reconsider, please email me at sam.valenza@att.net.

George Ketter has agreed to have another pistol league in the spring.

There will be 5 stages of fire.

Stage 1. 12 shots in 25 seconds, distance 7 yards. 6 rounds in the pistol, reload with 6 rounds.

Stage 2. Same as stage 1 but distance will be 15 yards.

Stage 3. 6 shots in 12 seconds, distance 25 yards, strong side barricade.

Stage 4. 6 shots in 12 seconds, distance 25 yards, weak side barricade.

Stage 5. 6 shots in 12 seconds, distance 25 yards, standing.

All shooting will be done with 2 hands. Cost will be $5 per shoot.  Make up’s or pre shoot will be allowed. Course of fire will be the same each month. Ammunition will be given away as prizes. First 3 highest scores will be awarded extra ammo but everyone will receive some ammo. First shoot will be in April, last shoot in October. You must shoot all 7 matches to qualify for ammo. You could shoot all 7 matches in the same month so everyone should be able to get in the required number of shoots. George needs a count on the number of shooters. If you are interested, please send George an email at geosueket@gmail.com by January 15, 2023. Also, let George know what caliber of ammo that you would like at the end of the season.

As previous reported, we are still working on getting Wi-Fi for the club. The process has been slow but hopefully it will be done in the near future.

WINTER SHOOT RULES

The following winter shooting rules are affective immediately:

• 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

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483, or Dan Gengo at 815-572-1423. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2023 Projects

• Club internet – in process
• Replace furnace
• Card readers
• Seal coat parking lot
• Repair skeet light
• Repair/replace handgun range heater
• Move patterning board

2023 Events

• Annual meeting – 3/25/2023
• Spring cleanup day – 5/5/2023
• Fun day – 6/24/2023
• Fun day – 8/26/23
• Landfill lunch – 9/22/23

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote 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 membership.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

RCS BOD, January 3, 2023                                                                                                       

PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Randy Scott, Steve Wiltgen, Bill Shold Caleb Davis, Mike Buckman and guest Dave Zierke

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of December/ 2022 – Approved, 5-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 5-0

New Business:

1. Introduction to 5 stand– Summer
2. Membership committee, working on new ideas
3. club internet, in process
4. Handgun league – April through October
5. New furnace – Approved,5-0   
6. New member orientation, 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month
7. Guest Waiver, In process
8.  BOD nominations – VP Al Perry, Treasurer David Zierke, Directors Bill Shold, Mike Buckman, Steve Wiltgen

Projects for 2023

• Card reader systems, Getting information
• Seal coat parking lot, spring
• Replace skeet light, in process
• Move patterning board, spring
• Replace Handgun heater

2023 Events

• Annual meeting – March 25^th
• Spring cleanup – May 6^th
• Fun days – June 24^th and August 26^th
• Landfill lunch – August 22nd

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting February 7, 2023                                                                                 

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary                                                                                                                                                              

President’s Message

(December 2022)

Club Treasurer Randy Scott has informed the Board of Directors (BOD) that he will not be running for re-election next year. Dave Zierke will be replacing Randy and a transition will start in January of next year. Dave will officially be placed on the ballot for the 2023 election in March. Randy has been an integral part of our club for many years and has done an amazing job as treasurer. Thank you, Randy. I look forward to working with Dave and know that his contributions will enhance our club now and in the future. Welcome aboard Dave.

The 2023 dues invoices will be mailed by December 15, 2022 so be on the lookout for it. Payment is due by February 1, 2023.

Looking for great ideas for your holiday shopping?  Give the gift of sportsmanship with a gift certificate at Rockford Skeet Club.  For $20 you can get two rounds for a guest and two rounds for yourself to help introduce our sport to your friends.  There is no guest fee to be paid!  For the next several Saturdays at 10 am board members will be at the club house to sell gift certificates.  The offer is good for purchase through 1/31/2023, and certificates may be redeemed until 12/31/2023. Happy Holidays from Rockford Skeet Club.

The BOD is considering having a monthly Saturday breakfast and is looking for several volunteers to run/coordinate this event. Job duties includes buying the groceries, cooking, serving, and cleanup. If anyone is interest in helping out, please email me at sam.valenza@att.net.

The club will be getting a new furnace in the next couple of months. Club member Evan Bomgarden, who owns an HVAC company, has given the club a deal that we can’t refuse. As a result, the BOD has come to an agreement with Evan to install a new more efficient furnace. By the way, our current furnace is 27 years old and I would say that we got our money’s worth.

Our friends at the landfill have filled in the pot holes on the handgun/5-stand access road. Thanks much to the folks at the landfill.

As previous reported, we are still working on getting Wi-Fi for the club. The process has been slow but hopefully it will be done in the near future.

WINTER SHOOT RULES

The following winter shooting rules are affective immediately:

• 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

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483, or Dan Gengo at 815-572-1423. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2022 Projects

• Rebuild trap houses – approved
• Remove clay targets on skeet fields – completed
• Pistol range heaters – Completed
• Gravel for the pistol range/5-Stand road – in process
• Club internet – in process
• Repair leak in club house roof – completed
• Move patterning board – spring 2023

2022 Events – all events have been completed

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote 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 membership.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

RCS BOD, December 6, 2022                                                                                                       PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Randy Scott, Steve Wiltgen, Bill Shold Caleb Davis, Mike Buckman

 Todd Hendreys

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of November/ 2022 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

A. New Business:

1. Virus guidelines – Keep as is.

2.  Update guest log book. Completed

4. Handgun range heaters, Completed

5. Update website. In process

6. New grill – Completed

7. Trap voice call repair.  Completed

8. Fix gravel road.   Completed

9. Roof repair- Completed

10. Move patterning board – spring 2023

11. Long range card reader, – Researching

a. Skeet league – Completed

b. Introduction to 5 stand– next year

c. Introduction to skeet – Completed

d. Membership committee, working on new ideas

e. club internet, in process

Friends of the NRA – develop for next year

 New furnace – Approved ,6-0   

New member orientation, 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month

Monthly breakfast – currently investigating

Guest Waiver, Drafted

Projects for 2022 – Completed

2022 Events – Completed

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting January 3, 2023                                                                                 

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis , Secretary

President’s Message

(November 2022)

On Saturday October 30^th the club hosted an introduction to skeet for new and current members. We had several members attend and it proved to be helpful with instruction and tips to those that participated to improve their skeet shooting skills/scores. The club plans to continue to host similar events for all of our shooting venue starting in the spring of next year.

One of the skeet lights is not working due to a failed electrical part. The part is on order and will be replaced when received. Shooting is still permitted under the light as the degradation of the lighting is minimally affected. Also, the trap lights will be adjusted at the same time that the skeet light is repaired.

It is getting that time of the year when the handgun range heater can be turned on. The heater control is on a timer switch located on the back wall next to the thermostat. To turn it on, set the timer for 10 minutes or more. DO NOT attempt to adjust the temperature setting. The heater will automatically turn off when the timer counts down to zero minutes

Rockford Country Club is looking for a part-time rangemaster for its Skeet & Trap Club, which is open October-March. Work hours are 8 a.m. to Noon Saturdays and Sundays, with the exception of the occasional special event. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Opening and closing the skeet and trap facility, logging members rounds, maintaining a safe shooting environment, answering member questions and concerns, and performing light general maintenance such as loading target machines. Inquire with Wendy Newman, controller at RCC. Her contact information is wendy@rockfordcc.com or call her at 815-968-9881

As previously stated, Wi-Fi at the club has been ordered and Comcast is in the process of completing work to run a cable to the club house. Work should be completed in the next few weeks.

WINTER SHOOT RULES

The following winter shooting rules are affective immediately:

• 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

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483, or Dan Gengo at 815-572-1423. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2022 Projects

• Rebuild trap houses – approved
• Remove clay targets on skeet fields – completed
• Pistol range heaters – Completed
• Gravel for the pistol range/5-Stand road – in process
• Club internet – in process
• Repair leak in club house roof – completed
• Move patterning board – spring 2023

2022 Events – all events have been completed

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote 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 membership.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

RCS BOD, November 2022                                                                                                       PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Al Perry,  Randy Scott, Steve Wiltgen, Bill Shold  Caleb Davis,

 Todd Hendreys

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of October/ 2022 – Approved, 5-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 5-0

    A. New Business:

1. Virus guidelines – Keep as is.

2.  Update guest log book. Completed

4. Handgun range heaters, Completed

5. Update website. In process

6. New grill – Completed

7. Trap voice call repair.  Completed

8. Fix gravel road. In process

9. Roof repair- Completed

10. Move patterning board – next spring

a. Skeet league – Started

b. Introduction to 5 stand– next year

c. Introduction to skeet – Completed

d. Membership committee, working on new ideas

e. club internet, in process

Friends of the NRA – develop for next year

Projects for 2022

 Rebuild trap houses, Completed

2022 Events – Completed

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting December 6, 2022                                                                                 

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary                                                                                                                                                         

President’s Message

(October 20220

Rockford Skeet Club hosted another club fun day on September 24, 2022. It was a fun event with delicious food cratered in. Some members of the NIRPC were in attendance. We gave out several boxes ammo for attendance prizes and raffled off 10 rounds of shooting. Thanks to all that attended.

We also hosted our annual steak lunch for the folks at the landfill on Friday September16, 2022 in appreciation for all that they do for us. Thanks landfill folks.

On Saturday October 30^th the club is hosting an introduction to skeet for new and current members that want to learn the game and/or get some tips that may help to improve scores. So come on out at 10:30am to skeet field three if you are interested.

Carts specifically designed to carry the trap voices calls have been received and will be available for use in the next few days. These carts should help preserve the units.

Wi-Fi at the club has been ordered. Comcast has to run the cable to the club house and work should be completed in the next few weeks.

The trap houses have been refurbished with the replacement of the roofs and doors. Thanks to Rich Tomasewski for doing a great job.

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483, or Dan Gengo at 815-572-1423. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2022 Projects

• Rebuild trap houses – approved
• Remove clay targets on skeet fields – completed
• Pistol range heaters – Completed
• Gravel for the pistol range/5-Stand road – in process
• Club internet – in process
• Repair leak in club house roof – completed

2022 Events – all events have been completed

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote 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 membership.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

RCS BOD, September 13, 2022                                                                                                       PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Mike Buckman, Randy Scott, Steve Wiltgen, Bill Shold Caleb Davis,

 Todd Hendreys

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of August/ 2022 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

A. New Business:

1. Virus guidelines – Keep as is.

2.  Update guest log book. Completed

4. Handgun range heaters, Completed

5. Update website. In process

6. New grill – Completed

7. Trap voice call repaired. 

8. Fix gravel road. In process

9. Roof repair- Completed

10. Move patterning board – next spring

a. Skeet league – Started

b. Venue tutorial – next spring

c. Membership committee, working on new ideas

d. club internet, voted 5-0 yes, in process

Friends of the NRA – develop for next year

Projects for 2022

 Rebuild trap houses, Completed

2022 Events – Completed

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting November 1, 2022                                                                                 

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis , Secretary