Colorado Rifle Club

NEWSLETTER

March 2004

~~THE SEASON AHEAD~~

The spring work weekend is March 20 and 21!! All ranges will be closed on Saturday, some may be open on Sunday. In case of bad weather that weekend, the alternate date is May 8. Watch the web site after March 7 for details about the projects and work to do that day, and the tools needed. Check the weather station on the club website for up-to-the-hour weather reports. Help the club get ready for the busy shooting year ahead and get your work bond requirement done early!

2004 ANNUAL MEETING

The 79th Annual Meeting was held at Captain Bligh’s restaurant on February 21st. About 86 members, family and guests enjoyed a roast beef and chicken dinner, this year served buffet style to facilitate mingling and mixing among those present. At least ten other members came after dinner for the meeting, which brought total attendance to nearly 100 people. Before the formal start of the meeting several door prizes were raffled off, among them a years membership in CRC. In a fitting turn of luck, Lowell Higgins was this years membership winner.

President Dennis Reul called the meeting to order at 8:28 P.M. He introduced the Officers and Directors, all of whom were present except retiring Director Don Fabrizio. Congratulations were extended to the Higgins’ for their 61st wedding anniversary, which was February 17, as well as both Lowell & Alice’s recent birthdays.

2003 was a busy, successful year for CRC, and a number of the significant activities and achievements of this past year were highlighted, including:

• Addition of an archery range, built by Bill Flynn, west of the sporting clays area.
• The start of silhouette fun shoots, hosted by Don McKnight, which is a good recreational program and a fun way to introduce young people to shooting. On the 2004 schedule, they are listed as “recreational silhouette” events.
• Installation of the weather station by Rick Blume and Bob Zamora. Though it’s had more technical challenges than expected, it does give timely and accurate weather data through our web site.
• The shed built at the sporting clays range, replacing the old house, removed in 2002. A picnic shelter will be built in 2004.
• Three new toilets are being built, under the direction of Dave Lee and Don Fabrizio. One is being designed to be handicapped accessible, and they will be completed this year.
• The CHIP program was completed with the replanting of about 200 trees and shrubs, replacing those lost to the drought in 2002.
• The WHIP program in continuing. We planted 14 acres of grass and sorghum and 200 trees in 2003, and will plant another 14 to 15 acres of grass and sorghum this spring.
• CRC hosted the NBRSA 1000 yard Bench Rest National Championship matches in September. Four new National records were set and the Club gained national recognition. Thirty shooters from all parts of the country attended.

The Secretary/Treasurers written report for 2003 was distributed to attending members. A few highlights include:

• For the first time, the Club’s income exceeded $100,000. Income exceeded expenses by about $24,500.
• We welcomed 93 new members, but dropped 73, mostly for failure to pay dues or perform work bonds. Management of the work bond program continues to be a major problem.
• The Club held 105 events, the first time we’ve gone over 100. 1,466 shooters participated – 20 fewer than in 2002. But income from matches was up $4500. All Match Directors and match volunteers deserve a lot of credit for their work. Without them the club couldn’t function.
• Our investment accounts have recovered well from the poor year in 2002.

The Nominating Committee for the Board of Directors (BoD) consisted of Tom Funk and Doug Maxwell. They polled the members eligible to serve on the BoD by postcard and secured four nominees. The nominees were: Ron Best, Dave John (incumbent), Steve Kingcade, and Henry “Woody” West. Bio data for them was included in the materials passed out. There were no additional nominations offered from the floor at the meeting.

Barney Higgins and Laura Everitt tallied the votes cast for the Board of Directors. The winners were: Ron Best, Dave John and Steve Kingcade. Best and Kingcade are new to the Board replacing Don Fabrizio and Andy McMinimee who voluntarily retired. The voting was very close with the first and last places separated by only 11 votes. President Reul thanked the proctors and thanked Woody West for his participation.

President Reul extended special recognition to several members for outstanding services to the Club over the years.

• To the Match Directors as a group. These folks do the heavy work of the club and without them we couldn’t exist.
• To Francis and Esther Redington for their services as smallbore match directors, club director, and many other efforts since 1989. A plaque has been prepared and will be given to Esther. Francis passed away in December 2003.
• A plaque was presented to Larry Kelley in recognition of his ten years on the BoD and his many other contributions to the club.
• To Rick Blume for his work in maintaining our web site and keeping it up to date and interesting, and for his working out the software problems with the weather station.
• To Laura Everitt for editing the newsletter.
• To Bruce Benninghoff for creation and maintenance of the membership database. Bruce is an expert on Microsoft Access and if we had to pay for his work, it would cost many thousands of dollars. The database is essential to managing the club.
• To Bob Zamora for installation of the weather station.
• To Jim Brummerstedt for the new stone sign at the gate.
• To John Ashcraft for managing the club merchandise.

A list of positions that would really help and enhance the club was included in the materials distributed. Those positions include: Work Bond Program Manager (a candidate may have appeared); Juniors Coaches; Heavy and Light Equipment Mangers; experienced Grader Operators; a Family Day Planner; Newsletter Contributors; and a Structural Engineer to assist with planned and proposed building projects.

President Reul mentioned several projects being considered for the future. They included purchase of a new tractor for improved mowing capability; a workshop/equipment storage building; firing line covers for the silhouette range; a clubhouse; a sight-in tunnel of up to 200 yards. He also suggested we host a workshop on how to buy a new rifle – with a special focus on sneaking it into the house without ones wife noticing! One of the ladies suggested that a new rifle could easily be hidden under a new fur coat!

OPEN DISCUSSION:

• Jim Harrison proposed that the workshop building be located in the range area so that it could serve some of the functions of a clubhouse, and provide emergency shelter from the weather. The feasibility of this is questionable because there is no water, power, or septic facilities on this range area at present, and our approved master plan puts a workshop near the ranch house.
• Jim Harrison also discussed problems that the Clear Creek County Sportsman’s Club has promoting it hunter sight-in days, and asked for suggestions/help on improving that.
• Paul Simonette proposed that we seek a PR person to spread information on our programs, etc. He also asked that we get things on the web site quicker (editors note: my fault Paul – I’ll try!)
• John Frank asked if the Schuetzen range could be extended to 300 yards for bench rest. That has been discussed in the past, but no one has ever come up with a plan and cost estimate. It appears to be a lower priority than some other suggestions.
• Doug Maxwell noted that in the past, members doing an initial rifle sight-in often used the pistol range because of its 15 or 25 yard targets. Now that rifles are banned on the pistol range for safety concerns, there is no short range available. We have considered putting pipes down in the Schuetzen range for one or two short range targets, but it has never been done. There are short range backstops on the silhouette range, but no target frames.

The meeting adjourned at 9:43 P.M. to be followed by a Director’s meeting. At the Director’s meeting Reul, Brummerstedt and Everitt were retained in their offices. After a long discussion the BoD decided to buy a Case 55 HP tractor as proposed by Gary Prebyl, with a front loader and a seven foot diameter rotary mower, and also a new five foot diameter mower for the MF tractor bought in 2002. They voted to sell or otherwise dispose of the John Deere tractor, two old mowers and the old disabled road grader which we have been unable to repair. The new equipment will cost about $30,000. We hope to get some return from the old equipment. Gary Prebyl will handle the sale and interested members should contact him at 303 622-9694. This action should solve our mowing problems, which have been a concern for some time.

2004 MATCH DIRECTOR’S WORKSHOP

The annual Match Director’s Workshop was held on January 17, with 24 in attendance. The meeting was conducted by V. P. Jim Brummerstedt because of President Reul’s skiing injury the day before. Many of the achievements given at the Annual Meeting were first reported here. All Match Directors and volunteers did a great job and deserve a lot of compliments for their hard work.

There was the usual discussion of the work bond situation. The wallet sized verification cards seem to be working fairly well and we hope that more members will remember to use them and get them sent in promptly so that they get proper credit. New cards will be distributed with membership cards to all who have a WB obligation. Last November we had about 200 members delinquent on their WB, but after a lot of prodding most of those fulfilled their obligation and we dropped about 27 for non payment of dues and about 40 to 45 for failure to fulfill their work obligation. This is about normal.

The group strongly urged the BoD to buy another tractor for range mowing, and to build a workshop building which would have adequate space for building target frames, etc., for storing supplies and equipment and other similar uses. Other recommended improvements include better target handling space at the HP range, a firing line cover for the silhouette range, a water well near the camp sites and a sight in tunnel. A picnic shelter at the sporting clays range will be built this summer and three new toilets under construction will be completed. We bought some used structural steel last year, which will be useful for the silhouette range cover. Do we have a structural engineer in the club who will help Wayne Harris with the design?

HELP WANTED!

This month begins a new regular item in these pages which we hope will make it easier for members to fulfill their work bond obligation and at the same time get workers where they are needed. We will try to keep this up to date and project it two months or so ahead to help your planning. Please bring your WB verification card. In addition, a list of jobs - many of which can be done by one or two people in mid week - will be posted in the stat building behind the smallbore range. A list of match volunteers needed is already posted there.

CALENDAR CHANGES

Please note the following changes to the 2004 calendar recently published:

• Doug Maxwell’s email (pistol) should be dkmaxwell0@lycos.com.
• Denny Reul’s email (smallbore rifle) should be denreul@comcast.net
• The Hi Power Long Range State Championship originally scheduled for August 28 & 29 has been moved to August 21 & 22.
• The Hi Power 1000 yard Any/Any originally scheduled for August 22 has been moved to August 28.
• The Recreational Silhouette event scheduled for August 28 cannot be held on that date and may be rescheduled.
• An Organized Palma Practice event has been added on May 22. Call Jim Adell 970 663-4779, Email jim_adell@hotmail.com or Tony Stahl, 303 494-5721 for details.
• The Smallbore League day scheduled for May 29th, has been moved to May 30th.

THE WINNERS CIRCLE

CRC would like to congratulate Keith Roberts. Keith is the well deserved recipient of the 2003 NRA PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD. In the 1980’s, the NRA created the National Award Program to recognize the exemplary achievements of individuals and groups in the shooting community. The Public Service Award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the shooting sports and the objectives of the NRA. The NRA hosted Keith and the other honorees at the fall meeting of the NRA Board of Directors. Keith has been a coach in the Junior shooting program at the Arvada Rifle & Pistol Club for years, and has introduced many kids to competitive shooting. He leads his team to tournaments all over the US, including the National Matches in Camp Perry, he designs and makes air rifles (perfect for young kids interested in shooting), and is himself an accomplished shooter. He does it all with humor and energy and his efforts have meant a lot to A LOT of people. Way to go Coach!

Former member Hugh Thomas left CRC a couple of years ago because he could no longer get around the sporting clays course. He is still shooting conventional trap and George Riddle reports that Hugh shot a 25 straight last summer . . . at age 92! WAY TO GO, HUGH!

Congratulations to member Charles Clark who went to England with the USA Palma Team last summer. He placed 14th IN THE WORLD in the individual matches but and was an alternate for the team events. The January issue of NRA Shooting Sports does not list him among the team members, but he is there in the team picture. Charles just had double hip replacement surgery but is rarin’ to go and will do his best to make the next Palma team.

The same “Shooting Sports” issue tells about member Rick Moritz who came in second in the National Black Powder Long Range Target Rifle Championships at Raton, shooting an 1874 Sharps .45-90 at 800, 900, and 1000 yards. Well Done!!

Pete Jend recently sent in his 2004 dues and work bond payment. In addition, he included $75 as a gift to the club to “help CRC as needed”. Thanks Pete, your generous donation will help with our next range improvement.

President Denny Reul managed to break his pelvis skiing on January 16 and at latest report is still hurtin’. Watch out for those moguls Denny!

NRA DUES

Don’t forget to join the NRA or renew your NRA membership thru the club. It costs you nothing and gets the club a $5 commission on renewal or $10 on new members. Call Martin Everitt at 303 425-4450.

CRC DUES

Thanks to all who have paid their dues early. It makes life easier for the Secretary/Treasurer to get this over with ASAP. It helps the club to know how to budget for the year. Don’t forget, the gate combination changes, and a late payment penalty of $20 goes into effect April 1.

MILTON WEIGEL

We are saddened to report the passing on January 12, of member Milton Weigel, No. 981. We have no details.

THANKS!

We have a number of members who live out of state from Washington State to South Carolina and Florida. Some of these good folks have never seen our present ranges, but they faithfully pay their dues to help support CRC and the shooting sports. The same is true for some of our in-state members who rarely visit the range and yet pay their dues and do their work bond faithfully. We appreciate their continued support!

Newsletter coding by James Speed Hensinger jhensinger5@comcast.net