President’s Message

(May 2021)

Clean up day is Saturday May 15 at 8 am. Bring out your shovels, rakes, chain saws, and trimmers. No shooting will be allowed until all of the work is done. I hope to see you there. Lunch will be provided.

Our annual meeting has been scheduled for July 17 at 8:30 am outside on the grounds. The BOD will be addressing club finances, events and projects, and taking questions from the attendees.

RCS BOD , April 13th 2021
PRESENT: Sam Valenza, , Harley Shepherd, Bill Shold ,Terry Van Den Boom, Randy Scott,Todd
Hendreys,Caleb Davis.

1. Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza
2. Minutes of March / 2020 – Approved , 6-0
3. Treasurers Report: Approved , 6-0
4. 2021 Projects:
   a. Additional concrete work to complete sidewalks on field 1 station 8 to 4 and from stair
   case sidewalks to semi-circle on all skeet fields. – Spring
   b. Skeet houses and Trap houses maintenance – Spring 2021
   c. Paint propane tank – Todd Hendreys , Spring 2021
5. 2021 Events.
   a. Annual meeting – TBD
   b. Clean up day – May 15th
   c. Club fun day – July 1st
   d. Registered Skeet Shoot – Canceled
   e. Landfill lunch – September 17th
   f. Family pig roast – October 2nd
6. New Business:
7. Lawn crew – Committee selected
8. Virus guidelines – Still in effect , and sent out via email.
9. New election, Bill Shold , Effective
   a. Handgun Safety Course – T.B.D.b. Shooting instructions – Craig Strike T.B.D.
   c. New tractor purchased . completed
   d. Discussed duties as board members.
   e. New toilets , completed
   f. Handgun league starts May 17
   g. 5 stand league in discussion
   h. 5 stand to be on Thursday through Sunday . Approved
   i. Skeet night and Guest Free day approved.
   j. Sam’s club card approved
   k. Members survey , to be sent in May

Meeting adjourned at 6:30
Next Board meeting May 4 , 2021
Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis , Secretar

President’s Message

(April 2021)

First of all, I want to thank Harley Shepherd for all of his contributions to the club over the past years. Harley has decided to step down from his director position after serving for several years. The good news is that he still plans on being at the club as usual. Bill Shold was elected to replace Harley and has assumed his position and authority as of April 13. I want to welcome bill to the board and look forward to working with him and to getting his fresh ideas as to how to make our club even better.

The board has also approved the purchase of two new MEC trap machines for the 5-stand venue. The machines have been received and are up and running. Come on down and check them out and have some fun shooting this venue.

Starting this Thursday April 15, the 5-stand machines will have the power turned on every weekend (Thursday thru Sunday) until further notice This will alleviate the necessity of turning them off and on during these days. We believe that the time and effort required to turn 11 machines off and on has discouraged many members from shooting 5-stand. There will also be menu cards at each station describing the targets to be thrown from the individual machines. Sign out the remotes which are located in the drawer beneath the back wall counter. Remote operation instructions are also in the drawer and a copy will be stapled to the picnic table located behind the 5-stand cages.  

Clean up day has been rescheduled to Saturday May 15 at 8 am. Bring out your shovels, rakes, chain saws, and trimmers. No shooting will be allowed until all of the work is done. I hope to see you there. Lunch will be provided.

The pistol league starts this Saturday April 17. Relays will begin at 9 am, 9:30, 10, 10:30, 11 and 11:30. 24 rounds will be shot and an extra magazine or speed loader is required. If you haven’t already, let George Ketter (geosueket@msn.com) know what time you want shoot. The shoots will be once a month through October. The cost is $1.00 per shoot.

Twilight Tuesday Connections
Second and Fourth Tuesdays of the month starting at 7 pm.

Each second and fourth Tuesday evening come and join your fellow sportsmen and sportswomen for a couple of low-key rounds of skeet.  With Daylight savings time, we’ll have plenty of time to connect with old friends, welcome new members, and reconnect with skeet.

Have you ever shot skeet under the lights?  Once it gets dusky, our field #2 has lights to allow shooting at twilight up until our 9 pm cut off time.  Why not get back out on the field in a safe, socially distanced, fun environment?  Remember, this is where the scores don’t really matter because there are no prizes anyway.

Some of the nights we will have a theme but you can shoot any gun that you prefer.

or for fun why not …
May 11: Call your friends or just show up!
May 25: Bring the first shotgun you ever had (25 singles OK)
June 8: Bring your newest acquisition
June 22: Bring a side by side
July 13: Sub Gauge night, the smaller the better
July 27: Tactical shotguns welcome
August 10: Bring a different action.  Levers, Pumps, what have you got?
August 24: TBD
                             
This is the time to re-connect to skeet friends both old and new.  Why not call that member who dropped off the face of the earth, but always told the best one-liners?

Bill Shold, Skeet Chairman (williamshold@gmail.com), will be coordinating these shoots.

In an effort to attract new members, June 26, July 31, and August 28 will be no fee days for guests. Only pay for rounds shoot. Each member is allowed to bring 4 guests from 9 am to noon. Members/safety officers will be available to help with safety and shooting instructions. Check in at the club house by signing the guest book and obtaining a visitors’ badge for your guests. Hopefully they will leave with a membership application in hand.

The board has approved the purchase of two new toilets which have been installed. We ordered the taller models for you old guys that have a hard time getting low and getting back up. LOL but it’s the truth.

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.

• 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 – getting bids
• Skeet and trap House maintenance – spring time frame
• Paint propane tank – in process complete in spring

2021 Events

• Annual Meeting – TBD
• Cleanup Day – 5/15/21
• 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.

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.

• 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.

RCS BOD, March 2, 2021                                                                                                        PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, , Harley Shepherd, Terry Van Den Boom, Randy Scott, Todd Hendrey, Caleb Davis.

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

2.     Minutes of February 1 / 2020 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

4.    2021 Projects:

a.     Additional concrete work to complete sidewalks on field 1 station 8 to 4 and from stair case sidewalks to semi-circle on all skeet fields. – Spring

b.     Skeet houses and Trap houses maintenance – Approved.

c.     Paint propane tank – Todd Hendrey, Spring 2021

6.          2021 Events.

a.   Annual meeting – Postponed

b.  Clean up day – May 8th

c. Club fun day – July 1st

d.  Registered Skeet Shoot – Canceled

e.  Landfill lunch – September 17th

f. Family pig roast – October 2nd

7. New Business:  

1.  Lawn crew – Committee selected

2. Virus guidelines – till in effect, and sent out via email.

3. New election, Bill Shold, Effective early April

a. 2021 Elections – Completed.  

b. Handgun Safety Course – T.B.D.

c. Shooting instructions – Craig Strike   T.B.D.

d. New tractor purchased.

e. Discussed duties as board members.

f. Lock boxes for keys.

g. New toilets, to be quoted.

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting April 6, 2021                                                                                         Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary

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.

RCS BOD, February 1 2021                                                                           

PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Harley Shepherd, Terry Van Den Boom, Randy Scott, Todd Hendrey, Caleb Davis.

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

2.     Minutes of January 4 / 2020 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

4.    2021 Projects:

a.     Additional concrete work to complete sidewalks on field 1 station 8 to 4 and from stair case sidewalks to semi-circle on all skeet fields. – Spring

b.     Skeet houses and Trap houses maintenance – Approved.

c.     Paint propane tank – Todd Hendrey, Spring 2021

6.          2021 Events.

a.   Annual meeting – March 27th

b.  Clean up day – May 8^th

c. Club fun day – July 17th

d.  Registered Skeet Shoot –June 26 & 27 

e.  Landfill lunch – September 17th

f. Family pig roast – October 2nd

7. New Business:  

1.  Lawn crew – Committee selected

2. Virus guidelines – Still in effect, and sent out via email.

3. New election nomination, Bill Shold

a. 2021 Elections – Randy Scott Treasurer. Al Perry – Vice President. 3 director positions.  

b. Handgun Safety Course – T.B.D.

c. Shooting instructions – Craig Strike   T.B.D.

d. Both Tractors and snow blower have been serviced.

e. Discussed duties as board members.

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting March 2, 2021                                                                                         Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary

RCS  BOD  ,  January  4th 2021                                                                                                        PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, , Al Perry, Harley Shepherd,  Randy Scott, Caleb Davis.

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

2.     Minutes of November  2 / 2020 – Approved ,  4-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved , 4-0

4.    2021 Projects:

a.     Additional concrete work to complete sidewalks on field 1 station 8 to 4 and from stair case sidewalks to semi-circle on all skeet fields. – Spring

b.     Skeet houses and Trap houses maintenance – Getting quotes for repair.

c.     Paint propane tank – Todd Hendreys , Spring  2021

6.          2021  Events.

a.   Annual meeting – March 27th

b.  Clean up day – May 8^th

c. Club fun day – July 17th

d.  Registered Skeet Shoot –June 26 & 27 

e.  Landfill lunch – September 17th

f. Family pig roast – October 2nd

7. New Business:  

1.  Lawn crew  –  looking for volunteers for next year.

2. Virus guidelines –  Still in effect , and sent out via email.

3. Membership dues are due February 1st

a. 2021 Elections  – Randy Scott Treasurer. Al Perry – Vice President . 3 director positions .  

b. Handgun Safety Course –  T.B.D.

c. Shooting instructions – Craig Strike   T.B.D.

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting February 1 , 2021                                                                                         Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis , Secretary

 RCS  BOD  November 2nd ,  2020                                                                                                        PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, , Al Perry, Harley Shepherd,  Randy Scott, Terry VanDenBoom,  Caleb Davis, Todd Hendreys 

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

2.     Minutes of October  5 / 2020 – Approved ,  6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved , 6-0

4.    2020 Projects:

a.     Additional concrete work to complete sidewalks on field 1 station 8 to 4 and from stair case sidewalks to semi-circle on all skeet fields. – On Hold.

b.     Skeet houses and Trap houses maintenance – Getting quotes for repair.

c.     Paint propane tank – Todd Hendrey , Spring  2021

d.    Replace skeet light –   Completed.  Thank you Todd Hendrey.

6.          2020  Events.

a.   Annual meeting – Cancelled

b.  Clean up day – Cancelled

c.  Registered Skeet Shoot – Cancelled 

d.  Landfill lunch – Completed

e. Family pig roast – On hold until 2021

7. New Business:  

1.  Lawn crew  –  looking for volunteers for next year.

2. Virus guidelines –  Still in effect , and sent out via email.

3. Membership dues to be sent early December

a. Five stand night –Any member is more than welcome to shoot the five stand .

b. Handgun Safety Course –  On hold .

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting December 7  , 2020

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis , Secretary

RCS  BOD  October  5 ,  2020                                                                                                        PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, , Al Perry, Harley Shepherd,  Randy Scott, Terry VanDenBoom,  Caleb Davis, Todd Hendreys 

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

2.     Minutes of August 3 / 2020 – Approved ,  6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved , 6-0

4.    2020 Projects:

a.     Additional concrete work to complete sidewalks on field 1 station 8 to 4 and from stair case sidewalks to semi-circle on all skeet fields. – On Hold.

b.     Skeet houses and Trap houses maintenance – Fall

c.     Paint propane tank – Todd Hendreys , Fall  2020

d.    Replace skeet light –   Completed

6.          2020  Events.

a.   Annual meeting – Cancelled

b.  Clean up day – Cancelled

c.  Registered Skeet Shoot – Cancelled 

d.  Landfill lunch – Completed

e. Family pig roast – On hold

7. New Business:  

1.  Lawn crew  –  looking for volunteers.

2. Virus guidelines –  Still in effect , and sent out via email.

3. Snow plowing for handgun range and 5 stand .- Approved

4. New target prices –  No increase to members

a. Five stand night –Any member is more than welcome to shoot the five stand .

b. Handgun Safety Course –  On hold .

c. Quarry shooter –  Investigating.

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting November 2  , 2020

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis , Secretary