Rolly
Frappier, on the left, and Mike Laremee, of the Trailsmen Rod & Gun
Club spent some time at the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre as part of a
membership drive initiative of the organization. The club currently has
approximately 75 members, but they are hoping to attract many younger
family members this year.
Indeed,
the Trailsmen Rod & Gun Club is an excellent thing for parents of
young children to get involved in. The membership fee is only $55 a year
for a family, and $45 for a single. That fee not only establishes you as a
member of the local organization, but you also become a member of the
Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters and receive a monthly magazine
during the year.
Locally,
every member receives a “key” to the club facilities which are located
on
Desmarais Road
in Val Therese. Those facilities include a
trout pond which is stocked with speckled and rainbow. Members are invited
to bring their own children or grandchildren to enjoy the fishing. The
archery range is open for use and there are many “adventures” waiting
children on the property. Nature trails wind throughout the site and take
you to a frog and turtle pond which is always exciting.
Members
often gather to socialize in the club house or just to have a barbecue and
relax outside the new gazebo which was constructed in 2005. It is a great
place to pick blueberries or just to walk along the 10-minute nature
trail.
Rolly,
who is also the President of the Club, is hoping to double the membership
this year by increasing public awareness. During the last week of April
and the first two weeks of May, the Trailsmen Rod & Gun Club will be
inviting the public to visit to watch the annual hatchery operation where
they will be hatching about 1,000,000 fish for placement in a variety of
lakes and rivers throughout the area.
The
Annual Banquet will be held on
March 25, 2006
. Anyone wishing tickets can contact Rolly
Frappier at 897-2478.
While
at the Shopping Centre, the Club operated a special “fish pond” for
children, such as 4-year old Natalie Julien who is shown with Mike.
