BCSA UPDATE
If last years’ spring clean up was less than ideal, this year could not have been better!
In attendance were Santa Fund staff, Scouts of America and their Troop leaders, several Directors and numerous members, over 20 in all. Work that had been neglected or delayed, in some cases years, was addressed to everyone’s satisfaction.
The old sign out by the road was replaced with our new colorful design. The covered BBQ pit area was done and much debris removed, and believe it or not, the tires still hold air, after being flat for years. Much debris removed from under the back deck, 7 pick up loads of brush cut and removed, winter brass picked up, enough target stands built to last though the fall, archery range added more wood chips, leaf blowers made short work on the shooting bays and 2 trailer loads of demo removed to the transfer station.
Even the Kitchen Committee did additional work to make the kitchen more organized and prepared for our use. A specially thank you to Tyson McKenna at Gilford Landscaping, who brought his entire crew Friday and cleaned everything from the front of the buildings to Lily Pond Road, gratis!
The 2025 Meat Raffle is now on. It is significantly different than years past however. There are now 2 large prizes. Thanks to Brian DeNutte in getting his large traditional variety of meats and Association Secretary Tarra Sorrell arranged a donation of a similarly sized variety of locally grown Angus beef and other meats. Winner gets choice, second ticket gets remaining package. Ads will appear every Saturday in the Sun until the drawing June 13th. Thanks to Adam Mini, tickets can be purchased online through the website at bcsanh.com. While we believe online sales will bring sales to a new level, we also hope members will make the same effort they have in the past to sell tickets to family, friends and co-workers. To that end, Director Ralph Scribner will be at the clubhouse every M-W-F at 4:30 to sell directly, or distribute to those members looking to take additional tickets.
While we are on raffles, let’s discuss fundraising. Several projects are planned for BCSA in 2025. The back deck needs redecking, new ramp and railings. Front steps, soffit and fascia, front steps rebuilt, trim and possibly windows. Additional safety features are planned for the range. We cannot possibly do this with volunteer labor work parties and our intention is to hire contractors, who can do the work much quicker with minimal interruption to BCSA functions, but at higher expense.
Since the pandemic, all of our traditional fundraising activities have fallen by the wayside as member labor intensive and generally bringing in minimal revenue if any. Other local organizations have suffered the same fate. Our three raffles, meat, gun and turkey, bring in a measurable percentage of revenue and now pretty much the only ones that need member participation. This year, we are making an effort to have a reasonable time gap in between the three to not burden the members with continuous sell, sell, sell. Every sold ticket helps!
One of our happiest events (for youth and volunteers!) is coming up Sunday June 1st, the Kids Fishing Derby at Gunstock Resort. Prizes to all kids that fish with the top three getting 5 gallon buckets full of prizes. Runs 9 to noon and volunteers needed at 7:30 to help load the trailer at the clubhouse, as well as volunteers to help distribute gear and teach inexperienced kids that may need it. Grillmasters needed too!
More coming soon.
Regards to all,
Rags Grenier
BCSA President
