Century Sportsman’s Club

Rochdale St./P.O. Box 115
Auburn, Ma. 01501 (508) 832-2211
https://members.tripod.com/centuryclub

President: Walter Hayes Vice President: Tom Brothers

Secretary: Robin Barbre Treasurer: Frank Hight

September is here and fall can’t be too far behind. This time of year still brings us the warm days but also the cool nights. The nip in the air indicates the need to get ready for hunting. I have always enjoyed fall and the colors of the leaves. There isn’t a place on earth more beautiful than fall in New England. I wish all our members and their families a healthy harvest and happy hunting.

The weeks leading to as well as the weekend of August 4^th – 5^th were very busy at Century Sportsman’s Club. Our President spearheaded a work party that built several much-needed picnic benches for our beach. Great job guys the benches really look great. At the same time other members had taken it upon themselves to get sand for the beach. There were several members that helped out physically and some that helped financially. Rico would like to take this opportunity to thank each person for donating money and the list provided by Rico are; Rico, Jon King, Tom Ward, John Swensen, Dan Polenski, Tommy Brothers, Leroy, Shawn Johnson, Mike Mahoney, Bell Hog, Dick Valiquette, Mrs. & Master Bates, Joe Ostrowski, Ernie Germain, Paul Szczepaniack, Jim Hayes, Jim Angle, Tim Hainsworth, Patriot Environmental, Petruzzi Brothers, J.P. Paving and Stoney Knoll Farm. Century Sportsman’s Club thanks each and every one of you for your contribution. Those of you that did contribute and were not on the list please see RICO! It was great to see all those members helping out even though beach or grounds isn’t their committee. Again I can’t believe how much we can accomplish when we all work together. Great job and your entire club thanks you.

August 4^th brought the annual Special Olympics at Century Sportsman’s Club. What a great time was had by all. The beach with new sand and the brand new picnic benches was the perfect setting. It is always a nice thing to give back a little to the less fortunate. Events like this should make us all proud to be a Century Sportsman’s Club member. Great job every one and on behalf of Century Sportsman’s Club thank you.

August 5^th brought us Family Day at Century Sportsman’s Club. Family Day has always been a well-attended event at our club and this year was no different. A great job by those who helped and a great time to those of us that attended. Wow Family Day and Special Olympics on a new sanded beach with new picnic tables what a show. I can’t get over it. When I first joined Century Sportsman’s Club fifteen years ago one of the big reasons was the beach. I had young boys at the time and the idea of a private beach were my kids could swim was great. Over the years the beach has kind of worn, needing repairs and maintenance. When I came off the Archery course and saw the new picnic benches and new sand for the first time I was speechless. You see all three of my sons learned how to swim in our pond. To see our beach and benches all new and shiny is just great. We need to take this type of teamwork and take it to the next level. Lets see if we can focus on the rifle range and get that up to snuff. Then lets focus on the clubhouse and get that up to snuff. The sky is the limit when you have members like yourself that want to make their club a better place to be for the future. I can tell you one thing I don’t plan on going anywhere. I will be a Century Sportsman’s Club member for the rest of my life so, yes you will have to kill me to get rid of me. (That isn’t a challenge!)

Seeing things like this work out brings some thoughts to mind. It is appreciated that some of us can help out whenever the need is there and that’s great but we must remember that we still have an obligation to our appointed committees. Just because you worked a couple of hours at the club one-day doesn’t mean your obligation is taken care of. Your committee obligation comes first. The other side of the coin is the member that can only do his committee assignment. That member is still satisfying his committee requirement and should be appreciated as well. The bottom line is that we have a great club and lets keep it that way. If everyone would do their assigned committee work and anything extra they can it will make us a stronger club.

Member’s meetings are held the first Wednesday and Board of Director’s Meetings is held the third Wednesday of every month. It is your duty to attend members meeting and board meetings if you are a chairman. Attendance has been low throughout the summer and this needs to change. Important issues are discussed and decided at every meeting. If you are not present when issues are discussed and voted on than you lose. Century Sportsman’s Club is your club and you have a voice and you should use it. (Within reason loud mouths, you know who you are.) If you don’t vote then don’t complain you have no right.

It’s that time of year again and that is nominations. Nominations began at the August member’s meeting. There were very few nominations. This is a shame. I have heard several members criticize the way a certain committee is run, well now is your chance. We would really like to see some new blood take over some of these chairman positions. All last year several committees went without a chairman and it showed. Take the kitchen and clubhouse for example. Rentals are a large part of our income. Is it the renters’ responsibility to clean the kitchen and clubhouse so they can use it? I think not. The condition that kitchen and hall are left in after a rental is a disgrace. Every one of us should be ashamed of the way that house and kitchen is run. We need all committee chairman spaces filled. Your club needs you to step forward and take on a committee. This is your big chance to make a difference. Let us see who has the stones and who just has the mouth. In other words put up or shut up. In fact this committee will be open next year. I have accepted the nomination for Archery committee chairman.

Planning a function in the coming months? Don’t forget Century Sportsman’s Club. We have a function hall that is available for rent to members and to the general public. Just call Curt at (508) 832-2211 to reserve a date for you special occasion.

Don’t forget to lock the gate. It’s our club and we work hard for it. Let’s not give it away.

If you have information for the bulletin or pictures for our web sight you can contact me at jgallagher@charter.net or see me at the club. Have a great month.

John Gallagher

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