Upcoming Meetings: Board Meeting -> Monday October 19th 7pm Conference Call | General Membership Meeting -> Saturday November 14th 12:30pm

Desk of DGSC President

Greetings Members,

For the past year, the board has discussed the need to increase shooting fees to meet rising overhead costs. Every year we have increased labor, target, and equipment costs and we try to have the shooting sports income pay the shooting sports expenses. The club makes very little on the shooting sports. What little we do make is supposed to go into a Capital Expense Account to help pay for extra ordinary expenses as they arise, but this has not happened due to rising target and labor costs. The other expenses such as HVAC, grounds, building, golf carts, taxes etc. are paid through our membership, and farm income.

It has been more than a few years since our last price increase and the board has deemed it necessary to impose a 50-cent rate hike across the board for all shooting sports at DGSC. The increase would have been implemented earlier but was stopped due to the forced shutdown of the club by state authority. Since resuming operations, we continued the current pricing for a short while until now due to the necessity for a shooting fee increase a fifty cent per round increase has passed the Senior Membership and was implemented on October 2nd.
Judson Mann

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Vice President Remarks

Indian Summer is upon us and a GREAT time to visit your club! Remember, we are open until 2pm on scheduled days. Questioning if we are open due to weather? Check our website, it is always updated.

Senior Members - Golf Cart Parking

Park your cart and trailer at club! No more transporting from home and back. Convenient! Contact me if interested using web email under “officers/directors” tab or 815-347-1270 cell/text or email vicepresident@downersgrovesc.com

Welcome New Shooting Members

Pat and Judy Fahler, Jeff Jarrett, Thomas Cowhard, and David Giacomi
Welcome to ALL!!!! Have fun!!! Shoot often!!!

Trying Something New

George Alexander, long time trap and skeet shooter here and in Florida, had a terrible accident several years ago that would have ended most peoples shooting careers. You see, George was an avid polo player owning a string of polo ponies for his enjoyment. During a polo match, he was hit in the right eye with the polo ball. He is right handed. Several surgeries could not save the use of his right eye. Career ending right? Nope. It took George the better part of 3 years to switch to shooting left handed. Switching gun stocks to left handed and gun mount was not easy, but George successfully persevered. Today , George shoots some trap, some skeet but mostly 5 stand. He averages 20 plus on most days and I dare say the best 5 stand shooter at our club.
Try Something New certainly applies to George Alexander. Congrats George!!!
Break ‘em All!!! George Adelmann

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Treasurer Updates

Quick DGSC Finacial Perspective . . . bills continue to be paid on time, taxes are paid . . . no surprising news from Treasurer - which is a good thing ;)
John Mantsch

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September General Membership Meeting Highlights

Senior Members held their General Membership meeting on Sunday September 27th. Below are a few impacting highlights.
1. As mentioned in the eariler DGSC President Article Shooting Fees for all shooting sports and all membership types have increased by $0.50 per 25 targets. New fees went into affect Oct 2nd and are also posted on the website.
2. Proposed By Law Change to Article XIII - FINANCES AND FISCAL YEAR Section 1 passed and will now include reference to an internal budgeting year that shall begin on the first day of April and end on the thirty-first day of March each year.
3. DGSC President Judson Mann named the 2020 Nomination Committee - Ed Shannon (chairman), George Adelmann, Brian Svoboda - if you are interested in running for a 2021 Board position please contact one of these three men.
4. DGSC President Judson Mann entertained a motion that masks must continue to be worn while in the clubhouse, if any senior member is witness of someone not wearing a mask while in the clubhouse they are able to approach and ask the person to please put on a mask, and if they refuse the senior member has the right to ask that person to please go outside and please reframe from entering the clubhouse without a mask. This was made a motion by the floor and approved!
5. Other important topics such as the NRA Youth/New Shooting Program, Youth Halloween Shoot, and Karen Vander Veen Memorial Fund will be discussed in other sections of this newsletter.
The next General Membership meeting (Senior Members) will be on Saturday November 14th at 12:30pm - important motion/approval for that meeting will be the 2021 DGSC Board of Officers/Directors Slate which will be voted on in December.
Debra Fredrick

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Friends and family enter and leave our lives, but the impressions they make on our hearts stay with us forever. DGSC is sadden to share news of the passing of Senior Member (past pratically every Board position) Karen Vander Veen. Till we meet again for another round of trap/skeet!

In Memory Of Karen
DGSC Suffered a great loss with the passing of Senior Member, Karen VanderVeen on September 6, 2020. An active member, Karen served the club in many capacities, President, Secretary, Buildings, Entertainment, Shotgun Sports Chairman, ATA Chairperson and more. Karen always represented the club with class and dignity. Karen truly loved Downers Grove Sportsmen’s Club.

Several of us that knew Karen well would like to establish a “Memorial Fund” in her honor. The proceeds of that fund will be used to purchase something useful for the club that might keep Karen in our thoughts. The scope of funds collected will determine the extent of the project.

If you would consider contributing towards the “Karen Vander Veen Memorial Fund” contact Ken Cechura, Don Cox, or Chuck Feuillan. Please include your thoughts or suggestions with your contribution. Your contribution and input may be mailed or dropped at the trap counter to the attention of Ken Cechura, Don Cox, or Chuck Feuillan.
Mailing address: DGSC PO Box 270 Morris, Illinois 60450
Checks should be payable to Downers Grove Sportsmen’s Club, with “Karen VanderVeen Memorial in the memo line. Funds and ideas submitted must be received by December 31, 2020. We can then determine an appropriate use, installation, and dedication dates, with the Board of Director’s approval.

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Shotgun Sports

On September 26th Rainbow Council (BSA) had 46 shooters participate in their sporting clay event. They all had a great time, hopefully next year we can return to normal, usually they have 125 to 150 shooters.

We will be hosting the Herman Welch & Grundy County ATA Handicap shoot on Sunday October 11th. We will have (2) trap fields open for practice. Field 7 for trap only & field 8 for trap or skeet. 5 Stand & Sporting Clays will also be open.

Jed Davis’s youth league will be shooting on Friday nights thru October. He has a record 55 young adults participating.

5 stand shooting cards are now available for senior & shooting members.


FALL 50-SHOT 5 STAND CHALLENGE
Final Date of Challenge will be Nov. 3rd, 2020
Click Here To view the full program and more details (http://www.downersgrovesc.com/Events/5StandChallenge.pdf)
Larry Chambers

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ATA Shoots

Our first registered ATA trapshoot of 2020 is now in the history book and the scores can be found on the DGSC website. Saturday's weather put a damper on things, but Sunday was absolutely perfect. I would like to thank all club members for your support and especially to all members that put in volunteer time whether required or not. These shoots wouldn't happen if it were not for so many people with a passion to support the shooting sports! A big shout out to Don Cox and Mark Matteson for providing food for this two day shoot.

Our next (and last of 2020) ATA shoot is currently scheduled for Sunday, October 11th. This will be the Herman Welch Grundy County Handicap. There will be two 100 bird Handicap events. Come on out and enjoy the fall weather, fellowship under the Herman Welch Pavillion and test your skill at some trap competition. Volunteers are always in need and appreciated - please let Larry Chambers or myself know if you would like to help out.

To view the full program for Herman Welch Grundy County Handicap Click Here (http://www.downersgrovesc.com/ATA%20Shoots/HermanWelchGrundyCountyProgram2021.pdf)
Stan Systo, DGSC Trap Chairman and ITA Northern Zone Director

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Youth Program

On Saturday October 17th, 2020 the Downers Grove Sportsman Club will host a special night shoot for kids and their parents for Halloween. The hours are from 6pm to 10pm. Typically our night shoots are on Friday nights but this special event will be held Saturday.

The DGSC Youth Page has been recently updated to include a bunch of new pictures from this year and previous years of Youth Trap/Skeet Shooting at DGSC.
Mark Matteson

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Grant Opportunties for DGSC

Once again, the Friends of the NRA and NRA Foundation has awarded DGSC with a grant to support our youth and new shooter program. We have made 70 “Youth Cards” available at the trap counter. Each punch card will be good for 8 rounds of trap or skeet with free shells and will cost $20. Cards are limited. 1 per shooter under 18 years of age. Shooters under 18 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Our Friday Night Illinois State High School Clay Target League has committed to 50 cards. The remaining cards will be available at the counter. Members register your son, daughter, or grandchild for a card now, this is a limited program!

DGSC will continue to support “new” shooters with our “Bring a Friend” program. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative, that you would like to introduce to shooting we can provide up to 2 rounds of trap or skeet, targets only (does not include shells). Register your “Friend” for the program. Our resources are once again, limited, 2 rounds per guest until our target allotment has been reached.
Ken Cechura

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Hunting Report

Senior Member Pheasant Hunting: The first bird release will be October 10th with another release in October on the 24th. November will have one release on the 7th. A full list of all bird release dates for 2020/2021 are posted on the DGSC website on the Senior Member Hunting Page. Remember the dates are subject to change, but all changes will be posted as soon as possible on the DGSC website, DGSC discussion forum, and in Newsletters.
NOTE CHANGE 2020/2021: On the days that birds are released (i.e. October 10th) there will be a 2 bird minimum charge, this minimum charge is only when you hunt on a bird release date. There are no limits on the number of birds harvested. Cost per bird is $15.00
No upload game hunting during Fire Arm Season for Deer Hunting - November 20, 21 and 22 and December 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Senior Member Deer Hunting: Opening day for archery deer season was October 1st. First Fire Arm Season is November 20,21, and 22 with the Second Fire Arm Season being December 3, 4, 5, and 6. For those using ground blinds, please mark on the board your location and take an orange flag to mark your spot out in the field.

All hunters must sign in at the hunters shack on the log sheet and hang name badges under the game you are hunting. Remember after hunting to please remove your badge from the hooks and take the post it off the map where you are hunting. Don't forget to sign out on the log sheet and make sure on that log sheet you report your harvest.
Reminder . . . fields are planted so please be respectful!
Charlie Zib

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Pavillion Painters

The supports of the Herman Welch Pavillion were stained on Sunday 9-27. The hard workers pictured below (from left to right) Pete Maslowski, Bob Glaz, George Adelmann, Brian Savoda, Tom Maslowski, Mark Sarnacki and Steve DeLurgio. Tim Donnell not in photo. Please take a moment to thank these fellas for their great work!!!

George Adelmann

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Club Policy Regarding Masks

Anyone inside the club house must wear a mask, individual exceptions may be made for those with COPD, etc.. Any Senior Member can TELL a non-compliant person to immediately step outside and that they are not able to re-enter the club house without a mask. Keep in mind a new window was installed that allows for rounds to be paid from outside. In the event that an issue escalades a Senior member has the right to request someone to leave the premises for non-compliance.
Remember we are held to the same standards as other businesses and non-compliance could result in fines or closure.


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Discussion Forum

The club discussion forum continues to be a great way for everyone to stay in touch and chat while having to social distance and not gather as much.
DGSC Discussion Forum can be accessed by Clicking Here (http://www.downersgrovesc.com/Discussion.html)
Anyone can read the threads/posts, but in order to reply or create new topics/threads/posts you must register. To register please click the Register link right side of screen on discussion forum page.
Ed Shannon

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Pictures Coming In

Remember to post pictures either on Facebook, Instagram or pass on to dgsc_newsletter@downersgrovesc.com so we can add them to newsletters and website.
Thank you Connie Systo who passed on pictures last month.



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Calendar


  Click here for DGSC Full Calendar
Board Meetings  1/11/2020, 1/18/2020, 2/8/2020, 3/7/2020, 4/5/2020, 5/6/2020, 6/10/2020, 6/24/2020, 8/8/2020, 9/19/2020, 10/19/2020, 11/11/2020
Senior Member General Membership Meetings  July 11 1 pm, September 27 9 am, November 14 1230pm 


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2020 is a critical election year for our industry and could very well determine the future of our Second Amendment rights. NSSF is urging all businesses in our industry to inform our members and visitors of a new website that provides additional information regarding polling locations, 2020 candidates and even allows you to register to vote. Please take advantage of this website -   https://action.gunvote.org/
Dates to Remember: November 3rd Election Day, October 6 - Hope you Registered, October 29 Absentee/Main-in voting ballot deadlines
Passed on by NSSF

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Officers/Directors/Chairmen:
President Judson Mann president@downersgrovesc.com
Vice President George Adelmann vicepresident@downersgrovesc.com
Secretary Debra Fredrick secretary@downersgrovesc.com
Treasurer John Mantsch treasurer@downersgrovesc.com
Buildings Don Cox buildings@downersgrovesc.com
Entertainment Ed Shannon entertainment@downersgrovesc.com
Grounds Kevin McCauley grounds@downersgrovesc.com
Hunting/Fishing Charlie Zib huntingfishing@downersgrovesc.com
Legal/Insurance Ken Cechura legalinsurance@downersgrovesc.com
Maintenance Jan Gronych maintenance@downersgrovesc.com
NRA Chuck Feuillan nra@downersgrovesc.com
Shotgun Sports Larry Chambers shotgunsports@downersgrovesc.com
Youth/Community Relations Mark Matteson youthcommunity@downersgrovesc.com
ATA Stan Systo ata.dgsc@downersgrovesc.com
Farm/CRP Dan Bellus farm.dgsc@downersgrovesc.com
Grants Ken Cechura grants.dgsc@downersgrovesc.com
Membership Communication Debra Fredrick membershipcomms.dgsc@downersgrovesc.com
Marketing Ed Shannon marketing.dgsc@downersgrovesc.com


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