RELOAD!

MARCH 2004 NEWSLETTER
© Bruce Buck, editor


ANNUAL MEETING
February 15, 2004
East Mountain Preserve
By Al Anglace

East Mountain graciously welcomed the Connecticut Travelers on Sunday, February
15 for the purpose of celebrating our 18th Annual Meeting. The weather
cooperated with some sunshine and just a hint of wind, just enough to let you
know that it was still winter.

The meeting was called to order at 9:15 AM by President Al Anglace. Proper
recognition was given to our hosts, all present were welcomed and introduction,
or lack thereof, was made of the Board members present. Since the Board members
voted themselves that big raise, it seems that they can all now afford to travel
South in winter. John Lawlor and Al held down the head table. Board members Don
Brenton, secretary/treasurer, Cyndi Dalena, membership, Bill Drake and Lans
Christensen attended in spirit.

New members were introduced and welcomed to our club. The President gave a short
explantion of the club and what a member can expect to derive from membership.
The Reload! newsletter, guide book, Chef Mark’s food and other Travelers
highlights were covered. A future issue of Reload! will have a breakdown of the
2004 membership as well as some highlights of the 2003 shooting year. There were
54 new members and 28 non-renewals. It seems that our little club has earned
recognition as the place to be for Sporting Clays as our membership is
approaching 700. If they all decide to show up at the same time, our
leadership’s creative abilities will surely be taxed.

The Officers’ reports were presented along with the usual lengthy Treasurer’s
report. (We are a not-for profit corporation, so we spend exactly what we take
in each year to keep things even.-Ed.) The minutes of the 2003 meeting were
presented and approved. The President’s report focused on the 2004 calendar.
There was a request to members fresh suggestions on what new things the Club can
do after all these years to keep things fresh and interesting. The President
stressed the importance of member input and welcomed all suggestions presented.

As most members know, we have very few rules. Our Guide Book lists the important
ones and we hope the membership will cooperate. It is important to use the Shoot
Application Form in each Reload! when you want to come to a shoot. It must be
mailed in early enough so as to reach the CTSCA headquarters by the Wednesday
before the shoot. A consideration is pending to disqualify those registrations
that are late or not on the properly filled out application. Late or improperly
filled out registrations create a great deal of extra work for your volunteer
shoot committee.

It’s vital to be on time for the shoots so that other shooters aren’t delayed.
Also, please stay for the entire program after the shoot as a show of respect
for those who won awards. You can’t expect someone to recognize your
achievements when you don’t stay to recognize theirs. Winning a Travelers award
is an accomplishment that should be recognized by all who participated.

Committee reports were presented for the upcoming Spring Trip to the Eastern
Shore of Maryland (see application on page 3 and 4), the Fall Trip to PA and NY,
and the popular Courting Clays shoot. A request from the floor asked if we could
sponsor another two person team “Wipe Your Eye” fun shoot this year. This is in
fact being considered for a Saturday in May or June. The Wipe Your Eye is an
East Mountain presentation that the Travelers support as a “thank you” for East
Mountain’s continued support of our club.

Finally, we have a winner in the search for a major coaching clinic. Gil and
Vicky Ash, OSP Shooting School, Houston, TX, will be presenting clinics on June
10, 11 and 12. The nationally known twosome is among the elite in Sporting and
general wing shooting coaching circles. You can read their articles in many of
the leading shooting magazines as well as rent their three videos from our
Travelers Video Rental Program. It’s a special treat to have the opportunity to
attend their clinics here in our own back yard. There will be more to come in
Reload! but, due to the limited availability of time slots, if you want to be
put on the preferred list email me directly at aaa738@aol.com.

Our Travelers Video Rental Program has been a tremendous success due to the hard
work of George Parsons and fitting recognition was given him at the meeting.
George’s work gives our members the opportunity to rent over 40 of the top
sporting videos. George even supplies a pre-paid return mailer when the tape is
rented. The cost is six dollars per tape for a two week rental.

The Harold Koehler Society extended their warm thanks in a letter to our
President. The Travelers sponsor this fine organization by promoting a fund
raiser shoot in November. This year the Society raised over $4000 thanks to your
support. The Society annually awards $1000 scholarships to selected student
applicants who will continue their education in the environmental studies or in
the trades.

Special thanks were given in recognition of the month in and month out work done
by Bruce Buck in writing and editing Reload! and to Dick Mann (Custom Printing &
Graphics, Westport, CT) who prints and distributes it. Our members eagerly await
the blue envelope that contains many news items and articles that rival the best
national magazines.

The Guide Book committee consists of just one person who does all the work. Dick
Orenstein has the tough job for firstly working with Al and then coordinating
all of the renewals, non-renewals, new members, rule changes and all the other
input in this most informative book distributed free to our members. For your
efforts, we salute you Dickie O!

The Travelers also recognized Paul Elia and Joe Maresca of Victory Cartridge for
their generous support of the Travelers Junior Program as well as extending
special prices to our members. Thanks also to the faithful ranges that have laid
out the red carpet for the Travelers for all these years. Without them we might
be a billiards club. Perfect attendance for 2003 was achieved by Al Anglace and
Lans Christensen. Al has only missed two shoots since 1987, while Lans hasn’t
missed any in three years.

Travelers efficiency took a bow when it was noted in that there was no Old
Business to discuss at the meeting.

Under New Business, the annual election of officers had the membership on the
edges of their chairs in eager anticipation. The Nominating Committee’s proposed
slate of officers for 2004, consisting of the current Board, prevailed.

The Shooting Calendar for 2004 was reviewed and accepted. Some questions were
raised about the type of ammunition required by Tamarack. The required
ammunition will be available at the club on the day of the shoot.

Name tags were discussed and an order form was presented by Al. We’ll duplicate
the form information in a future Reload! The cost of a new tag is $10. Members
must order their own tags. New members and those old members who never received
a name tag will receive credit for the cost of their ordered tag by deducting it
from a shoot entry fee. Those who have previously received a name tag are free
to order another, but they will not be reimbursed. The Barto Engraving Company
has is aware of this procedure and will complete your order in a reasonable
time.

An Open Forum followed until the smell of Chef Mark’s luncheon got the better of
the attendees. Motion to adjourn was made at 11:00 AM. So moved!

After the fancy confections were consumed, we prepared to deal with George
Holomakoff’s target presentations. As is customary for our Annual Meeting squad
makeup, we placed a shooting Mentor with each squad to answer those really hard
questions that run through our minds on the ride home. Why did I miss this, or
why didn’t I do that? A very enthusiastic band of new and old Travelers
considered their day a success and showed their appreciation in the trappers’
tip jar. A good time was had by all!

INANE TECHNOIDAL FILLER…

Changing gun weight affects free recoil on about a 1:1 basis. Add 10% more
weight to the gun and you’ll reduce recoil by about 10%. The big difference
comes when you alter the shell payload or speed. That affects recoil on more or
less a 2:1 basis. Going from a one oz to a 1-1/8 oz load increases recoil 25%.
Free recoil increases about 25% when you increase velocity from 1150 to 1260 fps
with a one ounce load.

SPRING TRIP APPLICATION
April 2, 3 and 4
Eastern Shore of Maryland

If you have any questions, contact Danni Jesudowich at 508-896-9655 or
scoutsrents@hotmail.com

Friday, April 2nd 1:00pm

OWEN’S STATION SPORTING CLAYS (www.owensstation.com), 12613 Hunter’s Cove
Road Greenwood, DE 19950 302-349-4334. Last year this wasn’t too tough a
course but I’ve asked them to “Kick ‘em up a few notches”. There is a 5-stand
available. DO NOT SPEED THROUGH DELAWARE. NOT EVEN A LITTLE. TRUST ME ON THIS
ONE!

Directions: Located 30 minutes South of Dover, Delaware just off Route 16
between Ellendale and Greenwood. Owens Station is located 2.5 miles east of the
Route 13 and 16 junction at Greenwood. From Route 13, drive east on Route 16
and turn right on Hunters Cove Road to Owens Station.

7:30pm

HARRIS’S CRAB HOUSE, 433 Northway Kent Narrows, Grasonville, MD. (Near Comfort
Inn) Dinner. Cost $28.50.

Saturday, April 3rd 9:30am

THE WOODLANDS, 4633 Ocean Gateway (Rt. 50) Vienna, MD 21869 (410) 376-0200
Directions: Take Route 50 East and stay on it until you get to mile marker 93.
The turn is 2/10's of a mile past it on your right and there is a sign.

1:00pm

PINTAIL POINT (www.pintailpoint.com), 511 Pintail Point Lane Queenstown, MD
410-827-7029. There is a 5-stand available. Lunch available by reservations
paid in advance ­ soup/sandwich/beverages, etc. $15. See coupon below. If you
choose not to have lunch at the club, Pintail Point as a restaurant at their
golf course. Go to the website for more info. There will not be many (if any)
places to stop between the Woodlands and Pintail Point for lunch.

Directions: Take Route 50 north to Wye Mills. Look for Carmichael Road on your
left. Turn left and continue to the Pintail Point entrance on your right.

7:30pm

FISHERMAN’S INN, across the street from the Comfort Inn, Kent Narrows, Cocktail
Party (thrown by the CTSCA) Cash bar available. Dinner immediately following.
Cost $28.50. Dinner reservations must be paid in advance. See coupon below.

Sunday, April 13th

As a show of support as a club, we have an opportunity to support our sport by
shooting in the Nanticoke Ducks Unlimited Benefit shoot at J&P OR you can also
shoot at Pintail Point or Owen’s Station one more time OR you can stop at
Ommelanden in Delaware or M&M in New Jersey. Bring your copy of Black’s Wing &
Clay and shoot your way up north!

J&P HUNTING LODGE (www.jphuntinglodge.com) 1105 Benton Corner Road,
Sudlersville, MD 21668 , 410-438-3832. DU shoot registration is 10~1, cost is
$50 for 50 targets and lunch. For reservations, contact George Sapna at
302-629-7911, Tom Christley at 443-880-8695 or J&P at 410-438-3832.

Directions: Follow Rt. 50 East /301 North. At 50/301 split, stay to left and
follow 301 North towards Wilmington. Take a right onto Rt. 300 and drive
approx. 1.6 miles to intersection of Rts. 290 and 300. Take a right onto Benton
Corner Rd. The lodge is _ mile on the right.


Hotel Information

Comfort Inn ­ Kent Narrows, 3101 Main St., Grasonville, MD 21638, 410-827-6767.
Twenty rooms have been held under the CT Travelers. Please make sure that you
tell the reservation clerk that you want a Traveler’s room. Rates: $149 per
night. Tax in Maryland is 8%.

THE CUT OFF DATE FOR RESERVATIONS IS MARCH 15TH. If you don’t make your
reservations by that date, you are not guaranteed the rate or the room. Rates
have gone up on hotel rooms and there is nothing we can do. As an alternate,
here are some options that might interest you.

Queenstown Inn Bed & Breakfast, 7109 Main Street, P.O. Box 2012, Queenstown,
Maryland 21658, (888) 744-3407, (410) 827-3396, email: info@queenstowninn.com

Land’s End Manor on the Bay, 232 Prospect Bay Drive, Grasonville, MD 21638,
(410) 827-6284

The Chesapeake Motel, Route 50, Grasonville, MD 21628, (410)-827-7272

Sleep Inn, 101 VFW Ave., Grasonville, MD 21638, (410) 827-5555

Holiday Inn Express, 1020 Kent Narrows Road, Grasonville, MD 21638,
410-8274454.

Lunch & Dinner Reservations

All meals must be reserved and PAID FOR in advance. There will be a cash bar at
each restaurant.

Friday, April 2nd Harris Clam House 7:30pm 433 Northway Kent Narrows
Grasonville, MD 21638

Dinner Buffet including: Top Round of Beef, Crab Imperial, Salad, Potato,
Vegetable, Coffee, Iced Tea, Soda and Dessert. Cash bar available. Cost:
$28.50 per person.

Saturday, April 3rd When we arrive Pintail Point Soup, Sandwich, Beverage
Cost: $15.00 per person.


Fisherman’s Wharf 7:30pm Across the street from Comfort Inn.

Choice of: Prime Rib or Crab Cakes Dinner includes: Salad, Potato and
Vegetable, coffee, tea or soda and dessert. Cash bar available. Cost: $28.50
per person




*** 2004 CTSCA SHOOTING CALENDAR ***

MAR 21 MARCH MADNESS - MID HUDSON SHOOTING GROUNDS, NY
APR 2~4 NORTH SOUTH SKIRMISH-SPRING TRIP TO MARYLAND
APR 18 TAX TIME REVOLT- OLD NEWGATE COON CLUB, CT
MAY 2 COURTING CLAYS- EAST MOUNTAIN PRESERVE, NY
MAY 16 MAY MINUET- TAMARACK PRESERVE, NY
JUN 13 NAT’L. WILD TURKEY FED. SHOOT- TAMARACK PRESERVE, NY
JUL 18 SUMMERTIME, SUMMERTIME- ORVIS/SANDANONA, NY
AUG 13~15 GREAT EASTERN LOBSTER CLASSIC- ADDIEVILLE EAST FARM, RI
SEP 19 SMALL GAUGE CTSCA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS-FAIRFIELD CTY. F&G, CT
OCT 8~10 ANNUAL FALL TRIP- PA & NY WEEKEND TOUR
OCT 17 OCTOBERSHUTZENFEST- MILLBROOK ROD & GUN CLUB, NY
NOV 14 DR. RUDY PASSERO MEMORIAL CTSCA CLUB CH.- EAST MTN, NY
NOV 28 KOEHLER SOCIETY FUNDRAISER-EAST MOUNTAIN PRESERVE, NY
DEC 19 DICK LOSEE MEMORIAL SHOOT /CHRISTMAS PARTY- MID COUNTY, NY
* Shoot schedules are subject to last minute change. Always consult the current edition of “Reload!” Therein lies the truth. At least as we see it at this particular time…

*** OTHER 2004 SHOOTS OF INTEREST ***
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM

APR 9 NEWGATE COON CLUB, CT (860-738-3619) GOOD FRIDAY BLAST
APR 25 FAIRFIELD COUNTY F&G, CT (203-426-8508) GATOR IV SHOOT
MAY 23 MID-HUDSON, NY (845-497-5008/845-255-7460) SHOOT FOR A CURE
MAY 29 FAIRFIELD COUNTY F&G, CT (203-426-8508) FAIRFIELD COUNTY OPEN

CONTACTING THE TRAVELERS...

CTSCA Home Office: Email <ctsca @email.com> (by far the best way) or telephone
860-354-9351 if you absolutely must.

Membership, Address Changes and Shooting Class status: Contact Cyndi Dalena at
860-582-3142 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Or Email <shotguncyndi@prodigy.net>.

Guide Book questions, contact Dick Orenstein <oren@umich.edu> or call
203-226-5251.

To place an ad, post a shoot date in Reload! or simply heap abuse on the editor,
contact Bruce Buck at tel: 203-454-1080, fax: 707-215-0668 or email:
<bcb23@columbia.edu>.



**** THE UPCOMING TRAVELERS MONTHLY SHOOT ****


SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2004
MARCH MADNESS SHOOT
MID-HUDSON GUN CLUB
NEW PALTZ, NY

You have all heard the phrase "mad as a March hare". Well, it is March, we are
dealing with some rabbits and besides, a little eccentricity is good for the
soul. As Montaigne essayed four hundred years ago- "A man must be a little mad
if he does not want to be even more stupid." The Frenchman poses a Hobson's
choice if ever there was one.

Mad or not, March is always an interesting time to hold a shoot. Those of you
who have become bored shooting hundred straights may rest assured that
Mid-Hudson’s Mike Maglio will keep you entertained. If you don’t think so, you
satisfy both of Monsieur Montaigne's requirements.

The cost is $70 and will include continental breakfast, challenging targets,
sumptuous lunch and the usual lavish prizes from Tiffany, Cartier and Wal-Mart.
Suchadeal! Naturally, you have to get your prepaid reservation in to the home
office no later than Wednesday, March 17. Same with cancellations. No-show’s
entry fees are donated to our children’s charity. GUESTS ARE WELCOME AT THIS
SHOOT.

For those so inclined, our usual Connecticut Travelers subgauge handicaps will
apply. 12 ga = 0, 16 ga = 3, 20 ga = 5, 28 ga = 10, 410 bore = 20, pump or SxS
gets an additional 5. So, if you shoot a 410 pump, you’ll get 25 birds. In the
March wind and chill, that may be all you get with the idiot stick. The Technoid
reminds us that shooting in March winds in the NorthEast is the time for big
guns, big shells, big pellets and small egos–and high boots! Remember the mud.

Directions to Mid-Hudson Trap and Skeet Club, New Paltz, NY: Take the New York
State Thruway to Exit 18 “New Paltz”. After the tollbooth go 100 yards to the
traffic light on Rte 299. Turn Right onto Rte 299. Go about _ mile on Rte 299
to the next traffic light. Turn Left at that traffic light onto N. Ohioville
Road. Go 2.7 miles on N. Ohioville Road to the Mid-Hudson club entrance on your
left. If lost, strayed or stolen call the club at 845-255-7460.

NOTE: EYE AND EAR PROTECTION IS MANDATORY AT ALL TRAVELERS’ SHOOTS!
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