News Letter
News Letter
August, 2010
Bill Burgess will be introducing Email notification of Events, news, and membership renewal reminders.
Please email bill at hrc-member-sec@comcast.net with your name and address and an updated email address. All email is kept confidential.
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Guest Speaker
Jay Fleitman, Republican candidate for Congress in the Second District was
a guest speaker at the August meeting. A physician in practice for more than 20
years, he said the federal health care plan should be repealed and replaced. He
also said that the current level of federal spending is not sustainable, and
will bankrupt the country if it is not changed. He is running against
Congressman Richard Neal.
Air Conditioning
The board of directors voted recently to install a central air
conditioning system for the two meeting rooms at the club, using the existing
ductwork.. The decision was made following a discussion of temperature and
humidity conditions during summer months. The club is hosting more training
events and meetings, including basic pistol and range officer training, junior
rifle and scout meetings and club meetings. In addition to the heat, the summer
humidity has often resulted in wet floors, a hazardous condition.
50-Yard Range
The range is open for shooting again following an extensive project to
remove tires and install a new sand backstop and associated berms. Falling
plates have been repaired and are ready for use. Shooters are reminded that the
range is for pistol and rimfire rifle shooting only. Centerfire rifles may be
used on the 100-yard range.
Appreciation Dinner
The club will sponsor a dinner October 8 for those members who have worked on
the range renovation projects and those who have taught classes and led
competitions during the past year. The function will be at the Summit View
Restaurant on Northampton St., Holyoke. Invitations will be mailed.
Additional tickets will be available for $25.
Range Officer Training
Norm Desilets and Rob Lombardi recently became certified as NRA trainers
for range safety officers, and will be conducting a training session for range
officers in the fall at the club. The course is open to members of other clubs
as well as HRC members. Anyone interested should leave a message on the club
phone at 413 539 9345.
Reloading Course
The next reloading class will be held November 6 at the club. Ralph
Rechenberger, an NRA-certified reloading instructor, will conduct the course.
Interested parties should leave a message on the club phone at 539-9345.
Enrollment is limited.
Club Cookout
There will be another cookout prior to the September membership meeting.
Interested parties should leave a message on the club phone. A $5 contribution
to the club will be collected.
Junior Rifle
The club’s junior rifle program will kick off another season on October 7.
Meetings will be on Thursday evenings through May. Several Scout organizations
will be receiving Merit Badge training, as the club instructors are now
certified as merit badge counselors. The junior program is open to 12 – 20
year-olds with parents’ permission. Interested parties should call the club
phone at 539-9345. Norm Desilets is in charge.
Bullseye Practice
The annual winter league Western Mass. Pistol League matches begin October
4. Team captain Ron Mehlhorn is holding training and practice sessions twice a
week. Newbies and rusty veterans are welcome. Times are posted on the club
website calendar and on the bulletin board.
Black Powder
The club will be holding black powder events this summer. Bill Burgess is
in charge. The matches will be listed on the club calendar.
Fun Shoots
Dave Sparko conducts fun shoots on Thursday evenings. Dates are listed on the website. There is also a clay bird shotgun stage.
Benchrest .22 Matches
Jim King is in charge of the monthly shoots. They are held the first
Saturday of every month on the 50-yard range. Any .22 rifle may be used. All
outdoor matches are only open to club members, in compliance with a legal
agreement.
Practical Matches
The club holds practical matches on the fourth Saturday of the month. New
shooters should arrive at 9 a.m. for safety instruction. Participants should
bring a centerfire pistol or revolver and 100 rounds of ammunition, extra
magazines and speedloaders, a holster which is not a shoulder or crossdraw
model, a baseball cap and eye and ear protection. Chris Fila is in charge.
Volunteers are needed to set up the stages, and should arrive at 8 a.m.
Pistol Safety Course
Holyoke Revolver Club conducts an NRA Basic Pistol course every month.
Successful participants receive both the NRA certificate and the Massachusetts
state certificate required for firearms licenses. Information is available at
the club website or by leaving a message on the club phone at 413 539 9345.
Dave Matuszek is chief instructor.
50/50 Raffle
Charlie Russell won $22.50 in the 50-50 raffle at the August meeting, and
Chris Pratt’s name was drawn to win $72.50 but he was not present, so the money
will go into the September jackpot.
New Members
Joining the club at the August meeting were Kimberly Galindo of Ludlow and
Marshall Johnson of Westfield.
NRA and GOAL
The club encourages its members to join the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners’ Action League, the state rifle and pistol association. Ed Pelland is the club recruiter for both organizations, and handles membership applications and renewals for both. Club members can save $10 per year by renewing their NRA memberships through Ed for $25, rather than the standard $35. Ed receives NRA points for each renewal or new membership, which he applies to NRA memberships for the junior members of the club.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
