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.
| 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 – 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.