Minutes from the Spring 2023 Wintergreen Sporting Club meeting

PDF of April 15, 2023 minutes here

Wintergreen Sporting Club
Spring Dinner Meeting Minutes

April 15, 2023 at Tuckahoe Clubhouse

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President Don Klingemann at 5:33 PM.

Treasurer: Jerry Gress

- There are currently 293 paid members – at the fall dinner there were 295.
- 54 previous members did not renew for 2023.
- There are 633 subscribers to the emails.
- Bank balance at the start of the year was $9,263.55.
- The bank balance as of today is $10,325.87.
- Income from dues stands at $5,225.
- Spring dinner ticket sales brought in $1,500, with approx. $2,400 in costs.
- Fishing expenses: $1095 minnow stocking, spring trout stocking $1250 (with $1250 from WPOA), $282 trout food, $178 supplies. Fall stocking cost: $5100 of donated money specifically for this purpose.
- Admin expenses include $84.50 MailChimp, $312 website, $188 credit card processing fees, PO Box rental fee, hats, name tags, social committee supplies.

Archery: Mike Capps

- Preseason started on 3/22.
- April 4th was the season opener and 19 archers attended.
- The next session on April 11th had 18 archers.
- Until the days warm up the sessions are held from 2 to 4 PM, and then it will switch to mornings.
- Rodes Farm has 6 lanes. All the target faces have been replaced.
- In May we will start going to the field range on the five acres that have been donated by WPOA where there are 8 lanes.
- Coaching for new archers has occurred for five women, four men, and three children.
- John Morgan, our level 2 archery instructor, is willing to meet with you anytime he is available. With a show of hands, there were many potential archers in the room. Instruction is free and the club has loaner equipment. John is willing to help archers chose the right equipment for their style and needs.

Biking: Tim Jordan

- The first ride of the season was on April 14th. Twelve bikers signed up, but only 6 riders rode due to weather concerns.
- The season’s ride schedule has been posted to the website. There will be additional rides within Stoney Creek with the intent of ending the rides at Iron and Ale when it opens.
- The bike shed is open for all WSC members who live on the mountainside. Club members who store their bikes in the shed must identify their bikes with their names and sign a storage shed agreement posted in the blue folder on the shelf by the door. The shed is available from April through November, at which time all bikes must be removed to provide space for the archery equipment.
- There are bike hooks on the wall. If you cannot lift your bike then just park it on the floor.

Boating: Bill Faulkenberry

- Bill Faulkenberry has taken over the boating group.
- The season will start with gatherings for practice of paddling skills, self-rescue (getting back in the kayak), rescue assist and getting someone else back in their kayak.
- There may be a few meet-ups at Crozet Beaver Creek or other venues.
- There are three trips scheduled so far: May 23rd – Rivanna River for 16 people at 9:30 AM, June 17th for 20 people starting at 11:30 AM at Twin River (Buchanan to Archadia), and July 7th for 20 people at Twin River starting at 11:30 AM (Upriver to Horse Shoe).
- Hopefully, two more will be scheduled pending water levels. Water levels are affected by the dam release on the James River which happens on Thursdays.
- Working on securing kayaks to be used at Lake Monocan for those that do not have their own kayaks.
- Doug Landry has offered his services for white water rafting or kayaking.
- Safety is of the utmost concern at all times on the water. Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) are required. The trip companies require that participants can swim and get in and out of the kayak by themselves.

Fishing: Chris Corish, Ron Cote’

Chris Corish:
Classes:
- Indoor classes concluded today. There were 5 classes, four beginners and one non-beginner. The demographics of the spring classes were interesting. Over ½ of the classes were husbands and wives, over 1/3 of the classes included children, over ½ of the classes included weekenders.
- One last spring indoor fly-fishing class on Friday, April 28th from 2 to 5 PM at Tuckahoe to be taught by Mike Fisher and Al Simpson. There is still room for more of those interested in signing up.
- If anyone is interested in private lessons you may contact Chris directly for information.
- Many thanks to the instructors of the hands-on and classroom classes: John Tani, Bruce Henderson, Tim Hess, Al Simpson, and Mike Fisher.

Fishing Conclaves:
- There are three types of conclaves: Educational, Happy Hour and Hosted.
Educational – the first one was February 26th with Reid Parks speaking on shad fishing on the James River in Richmond. There will hopefully be 2-3 more over the season. Please let Chris know if you have any ideas on topics you would like to hear.
Happy Hours – will be at local watering holes. Watch the emails for announcements of time and place.
Hosted – these are large social events or roving cocktail parties. There will hopefully be three this year. The first is at Jerry and Sharon Gress’s home on May 18th. August 12th, Renee Mecheski and Paul Garver will host. The third is to be decided.
- On Friday, April 28th, there will be a “Flash Happy Hour” conclave after the indoor lecture at Tuckahoe from 5 to 6:30 PM. It will be held on the covered deck. It is BYOB and please bring an appetizer or snack to share

Ron Cote’:
Trout Tournament:
- The tournament will be on April 22nd with an April 29th rain date. The fishing will start at 3 PM and end with weigh-ins at 6 PM. Prizes will be awarded in two age categories and based on the top three weights. There is no charge to enter and fisher people keep what they catch. Volunteers are needed to work the event. There is a sign-up sheet on the table with the hat sales.

Pond Habitat Program:
- Christmas trees donated by WPOA need to be sunk attached to cinder blocks in the ponds. This is for the small fish (fry) to hide in and grow. Help is needed to sink the trees. There is another sign-up sheet on the hat sales table to volunteer for this.
- 15,000 minnows were placed in 7 ponds in the community as food for the larger fish. It is hoped these minnows will reproduce 2-3 times a year.
- Marty Echols has been monitoring the temperature in the trout pond on a daily basis and collecting the surface and depth temperatures.
- To feed the trout, Ron buys the food, Jerry packages and distributes the food, then volunteers feed the fish. Fourteen volunteers helped daily with the feeding: Dave Moga, Jim Leonard, Bruce Henderson, Chris Corish, Jerry Gress, Joe McMoneagle, Bob Keenan, Marty Echols, Jim White, Andy Burdesky, Tim Hess, John Tani, Lou Kean, Dennis Ravenscroft.

Shooting: Jim White and Jerry Gress

Rifle and Pistol – Jim White
- There was a shooter’s conclave in March to discuss plans for the coming season.
- The group will gather every Monday except on Holidays, alternating pistol one week and rifle the next.
- The Rifle Program will follow the NRA Rifle Marksmanship Program that was started in 2022.
- The Pistol Program will follow a modified NRA Bullseye program (now called Precision Program) under the leadership of Tom Willis.
- The tentative schedule for the first four months of this season can be found on the website.
- Jim is considering holding a Firearm Familiarity and Safety course. Details will follow.

Shotgun: Jerry Gress
- The shotgun group shoots every Friday morning at Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club. They shoot trap or wobble, rain or shine, hot or cold.
- 300 people are signed up to receive email notices. The main group consists of about 10 regulars who shoot at least one Friday a month.
- There is an occasional trip to Flying Rabbit to shoot sporting clays.
- If you are interested in shooting you can contact Jerry for his availability.

Social Committee: Robin Pullen
- Caterer tonight is Mission BBQ in Cville. Chicken BBQ, Brisket, Mac and Cheese, Green beans, and Cole slaw. Alice Karrh made the cornbread.
- Dessert includes Cannoli Cake with cherry filling and sliced almonds from Chandler’s Bakery in Cville and/or vanilla Ice Cream from Black Bear Creamery here in Nellysford.
- Beer, wine, cider, and water are available.
- The patio tables have been washed down if you prefer to sit outside.
- The volunteers today included: Donna Crabtree, Alice Karrh, Corinne Morgan, Catherine Parker, Lynne Hess, Dianne Klingemann, Dennis Bryant, Mike Capps, Ron Cote’, Don Klingemann, Bill Faulkenberry, Mark Gomersal, Jerry Gress, Mike Yurewicz, John White.
- Decorations by Lenlee Corish.
- WSC hats are for sale.
- You can sign up and receive a fishing badge if you need one.
- There will be a Summer Social on June 24th. If Iron and Ale is open, we hope to have it there. Details will go out to Club members over email.

- Houston Sorenson spoke about the need for Wintergreen Rescue Squad volunteers.

The meeting adjourned at 6:33 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Robin Pullen, WSC secretary