Greetings to all our members,

            As we once again kick off a new year of anticipated good things, I want to briefly reflect on 2025. We were able to accomplish most of the hall renovations with the help of many dedicated volunteers. Together, they shared their time and talents and saved the club significant costs. Things are looking great at the clubhouse with all the work that has been done, and now that winter is setting back in, we will continue to work at finishing up the renovations.  

One of the things that needs finished is the half wall under the kitchen counter.  We plan to add a stone facing, some more trim work, and possibly a hallway revitalization. If anyone has the skills or resources for the stone work, we would welcome you to come to our monthly meeting to talk with the board of directors. A heartfelt Thank You to all who helped out already with this major project.

Thank you also to the pistol team members who took pride in the trophy case and gave it a facelift.  The organization cleaning of the old trophies will allow our up and coming leaders and members to enjoy our club history for many more years.  And a big thanks for the efforts of getting the exhaust fan above the indoor backstop working to protect our shooters. I would like to thank each one who had a part in the purchase, erection and dedication of our new flag pole in the front of the club. Thank you to the members of the pistol team for your efforts of keeping the outdoor pistol range in worker order.  There has been a need to repair the target holders that are repeatedly shot by shooters without common sense, thinking that it is safe to shoot steel posts, and hoping it doesn’t ricochet and injure or even kill someone!  If you see this activity, please take a picture and send it to me or one of our directors. 

We have purchased a lime spreader for the back of our tractor so we can occasionally apply lime over top of our lead to keep it from contaminating our waterways. Thank you to our Trap team members who continually invite new shooters to their trap shoots.  They are always willing to help them along the way with instruction and tips, also giving them opportunity to add to the lead and clay that decorate the ground.  

We have also purchased signs to put up around the club property to alert people that it is not safe to walk around down range. As always, I ask each of you to help police our ranges.  If you see someone damaging, misusing or being unsafe, don’t hesitate to ask them to leave. Anyone on the grounds is required to have their membership card in their possession and you are always within in your rights to ask them to show it.

We were approached by the Pennsylvania Beekeepers Association to be able to host their monthly meetings that are open to the public.  Watch the online calendar if you are interested in attending, or if you desire to know more about beekeeping.

As a non-profit organization, we always accept tax deductible donations.  We ask you to remember us if you desire to include Moraine Conservation and Sportsman’s Association into your will. 

I would like to conclude my portion of this letter by thanking each one of our board of directors and other management positions for all they do, for their commitment to attending our monthly meetings, and for their participation in each of the teams they are involved with. 

• Jim Hackey Secretary, Trap Team Captain and member of outdoor Rifle
• Brian Jesteadt Membership Secretary and Pistol team member
• Joe Urish Pistol Team Captain and trap shooter
• Chris Smith Treasurer and pistol team member
• Mike Ripley Black Powder Captain and organizer of their events
• Al Vogan Rifle Captain and organizer of the outdoor shoots
• Tom Fischer Appointed by the membership, trap team member and outdoor rifle team member

And finally, a very special thanks to those keeping up with our grass, snow removal, and outdoor grounds upkeep.

Sincerely,

Michael Cumberland

Chairman of the Board of Directors  

NEWS The Moraine Pistol Team consists of 25 members and competes in the Tri-County Pistol League. The team has proudly won the league championship for the past 15 consecutive years. We are NRA-sanctioned and participate in traditional bullseye pistol competition. Each team member receives a National Pistol Classification annually. The Pistol team shoots indoors starting in late September through March on Thursday nights, and outdoors every Thursday through the summer.  Practice nights are often held on Wednesday night. – For more information, please contact Joe Urish 724.355.4721 Attention Black Powder Shooters!  The monthly trail walk shoot is back!  Any flintlock or percussion muzzle loaders with open sights may be shot for scores.  The trail shoot will continue on the 2nd Sunday of each month and begins at 11 am. The indoor .22 Rifle Fun shoots have started on Mondays at 10am, doors open at 9am. Rifle Shooters, on Jan 17th, there will be a rimfire blackjack challenge shoot at distances of 100 and 200 yards.  Shooting begins at 9 am and will run until 3 pm or until everyone is done   The past year has seen an upswing in attendance and range and backstop improvements to the outdoor rifle program.  .22LR steel target events are gaining in popularity, and we added a 100 yard steel egg night shoot.  An extra bench has improved our capacity, and extra classes have made for a better variety of challenges.  The American Hunter class, for example, limits equipment and ammunition costs, allowing competitors an opportunity to compete without investing in new equipment.  Dates for various events will be posted on the club calendar each month. The winter trap league is underway.  Trap shoots are on Sundays from noon till about 3:30pm.  Anyone is welcome to shoot practice during the Sunday league.   Summer means practices will start meeting on Tuesday nights.  Thanks to all our team members for participating! Monthly meetings are the second Monday of each month at 7:30. It would be great to see you there.

Club information Club rental activities can be found on our website, www.morainesportsmen.com Reminder: no casual shooting on the outdoor pistol range while the club is under rental agreement. Contact Mike Campbell (724-991-4148) or Peggy Fellenz (724-794-3676) for more information. Our annual membership renewal period will begin October 2025, and will end in February 2026. During this time, members looking to renew can stop by and see Brian Jesteadt at one of our monthly meetings, or send a check (payable to MCSA) and please include self-addressed stamped envelope to: BRIAN JESTEADT 409 ISLE ROAD BUTLER, PA, 16001 724-865-8015 **** Seniors – $30.00 **** Spouse – $15.00 **** Juniors – $5.00 ****  **** Life – $300.00 **** Husband and wife life membership is $375.00. Keycards are available to members (after 90 days of membership) for $20, with a $10 renewal each year. Renewals must be completed by the February meeting. Members that miss the deadline will be required to pay a $15 reinstatement fee along with their dues.