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New Members Inducted in April 2021 (Posted April 3, 2021)See the photo below for the new members of the Chapter that were inducted on April 1 and oriented on April 3, 2021. ![]() From L to R: James
Ashley, Stuart McFaden, Thomas Mills, Greg Pozzi, and
David Wray.
All members except Stuart
McFaden are Regular (Individual) Members. Anastasia
McFaden was oieinted, but absent when the photo was
taken. Another new member, Jeff Gandee was
inducted but unable to attend the Saturday orientation
meeting and also not pictured.
New Members Inducted in March 2021 (Posted March 6, 2021)See below for the photograph of the new members inducted to the chapter on March 6, 2021 using the COVID-19 protocol. [As we are allowed to have a monthly membership meeting as soon, maybe, as April1 (be sure to check calendar to make sure we will have a meeting) all members from the past few months will need to come for a formal introduction to our membership body. This could take place in the Activity Building if the weather permits as it now has been outfitted with chairs and tables. Stay tuned.] ![]() Left to Right: Nicholas
Gregory (Individual), PW and Susan Sarver (Family (Susan
absent)); Barb Waterman and Steve Smith (Family)
Faulty Information on the Cover of the Most Recent "Outdoor America" IWLA Magazine (Posted February 23, 2021)On the cover of the most recent issue of the Outdoor America (OA) magazine (2021 Issue 1) was information of concern to some. Some members have expressed concern that there a cover sheet containing a warning that their IWLA membership had expired at the end of December 2020. Pay no attention to the notice as it is likely bogus for anyone that has renewed. We have been sending renewal information to National after each processing party up to and including the one held in the last part of January. In past years, these renewals have been promptly processed. This year, not so much, and likely due to the virus, Covid-19. Because the operation at the National level has been distributed, processing renewals has been running as much as 6 weeks later than normal. We suspect that late processing has triggered the notices in a case of unintended consequence. Be assured that if your renewal check has been processed by your bank and your access to the chapter is allowed using your All-in-One identification card, you are a member in good standing despite the dire warning on the magazine. Members that renewed earlier in the renewal cycle did not have the warning attached to their magazine. If you received a magazine and did not renew your membership, regard the cover as a farewell gift. The cover you might have received looks like this: Outdoor America "Faulty" Cover We apologize for any confusion that this situation might have caused. You need not call or reply asking about the status of your membership as we are well beyond the annual cutoff to renew and your check should have processed by now. The existence of a canceled check will confirm your renewal. The Passcode for the Member Login Page was changed on February 28 2021 (Posted March 6, 2021)All members with valid email accounts should have received on February 28 from the social media manager indicating the new 4-digit passcode that allows members to access the Membership Only page The old pass code has been replaced and will no longer work. If you do not receive the Chapter email reminders, please send a request to newsletter@iwlafred-rapp.org and provide your first and last name and a current email address and, if you are a current member, the social media manager will add your name to the distribution list.Events for the week of April 11 and Our Next Chapter Work Day on May 8, 2021 (Updated April 10, 2021)The membership meetings scheduled for the first Thursday of each month were reinstated on April 1 with a limitation on seating for members up to 35 chairs due to the social distancing required by the COVID -19 rules and the occupancy restrictions levied by the governor. See the chapter calendar for any changes to the official event schedules. The COVID-19 guidance might change any of our scheduled events so check back frequently. I will keep the COVID-19 restrictions for the workday until advised otherwise.
No other
events are presently planned, however, it is always
prudent to check with the official chapter calendar for any last minute
changes.
Commonwealth's Coronovirus-19 Assembly Restriction Status (Posted April 3, 2021)The guidance established in December and reiterated several times since continues as of this date April 3). If this guidance changes we will modify calendars and other guidance accordingly. Read here for details about current limitations.Snow Scenes at the Chapter on January 31, 2021Herbert and Barbara Pritchett visited the chapter on the morning of our latest snow event to check on the status of the property. The report is that the property is doing well and is blanketed by a significant snow for the first time in several years. Not sure the condition of the range road but it would be advisable to keep it slow and use a 4 wheel drive vehicle until the snow, freezing rain and ice end and the road is clear. Tomorrow evening's chapter board meeting has been canceled. Punxsutawney Phil will provide his prognostication on Tuesday for the length of the remaining winter weather. ![]() ![]() Power
line towards
cemetery
Flag poles
![]() ![]() Range
Road to range 3 and
4
Looking east towards activity building
![]() ![]() Boat ramp Pier and range 2 beyond Membership Year 2021 (Posted February 6, 2021)Today was the final processing party for members that submitted their dues before February 1, 2021. If your dies had not been received by the Membership Chairman by February 1, 2021 your membership has permanently lapsed and you have been expelled as a member. The email distribution list will be purged of lapsed members and a new access code for the membership login page will be sent on or before March 1, 2021. Those checks that were processed today will be deposited early next week so your check will take a few more days to clear the back processing and show as paid in your account. All members that have paid have had their All-in-One cards activated so they will be able to enter the property. Thanks to all that have renewed. We inducted 5 memberships today as well. These members were interviewed more than a month go and were processed by the Board last Wednesday in a special meeting in order to comply with COVID-19 assembly restrictions. See photo of the new members and welcome them to the chapter membership ranks. ![]() January 2021 New Members
of the Fredericksburg-Rappahannock Chapter
of the Izaak Walton
League of America, Inc.
L to R:
William Alexander, Rob
Barr, Mike Warlick, Joshua Klaus, and Laurence Leake
(Family distaff members
Cheryl Barr, Desiree Warlick, and Nicole Klaus are also
new members but because of COVID-19 assembly limitations
were not present.)
Trout Stocking of the PondSee the Conservation Tab for the story and two videos of the trout stocking and fishing today at Izaak Walton Fred-Rapp Chapter. Temporary Process for Prospective New Members (for prospective new members and sponsors) (Updated December 17, 2020)The governor of the commonwealth has again tightened the restrictions in the face of increased infections from covid-19. The one restriction that causes us to modify the schedule for chapter meetings is the one limiting any indoor meeting to no more than 10 people even if socially distanced and masked. It is therefore decided by the chapter board of directors that all meetings of the chapter membership (the board meeting on Monday, January 4, the meeting on Thursday evening, January 7 (known as both the membership meeting and the business meeting) and the workday on January 9 are canceled. The meetings in February will be decided later if the assembly restrictions are given any relief. We expect this change might continue at least through early 2021. This will affect the process for new member induction. New prospective members have been informed of a change in their induction process. As restrictions change we will provide modifications for these meetings and new member intake. Pond is Overflowing its Banks and the Dam (Posted November 12, 2020)Heavy rainfall in the area has raised the level of the pond and it is flowing out from the main spillway and the secondary (emergency) spillway. It is still raining so this will continue until the weather pattern changes.Not sure whether we are losing fish but the main spillway has a fence. Luckily the trout have not yet been stocked. That will take place on November 19 so the water should subside by then. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() New Information Available on the Member Login site (Posted November 12, 2020)At the membership meeting on November 5, 2020, the chapter budget for 2021 was presented and approved by membership affirmation. Also, it was announced that the chapter has WiFi coverage across the park on both sides of the pond. Information on the SSIDs can also be found in this web page as well as posted in several locations at the chapter house. For access to this information please go to the Member
Login site. Scouts Retire American Flags (Posted September 24, 2020)In a private ceremony at the chapter on the evening of September 22, Troop 171, Boy Scouts of America conducted a solemn ceremony to retire worn and damaged American Flags. In accordance with the Flag Code the flags were prepared and burned in our fire pit near the pond. Ashes from the fire will be interred in our flag cemetery.![]() ![]() ![]() The Trout Fishing Rules (Updated February 17, 2021)Thanks to the monetary donations from some of our generous members, the pond will be stocked with rainbow trout on Nov 19th when the water temperature has cooled to the safe level for stocking. If you are interested in watching the stocking process, we expect the delivery to be at some time between 10 and 11 AM on November 19. That is the best time window we can provide as the fish are delivered by Sugar Grove Trophy Trout Farm, Sugar Grove, West Virginia.Trout fishing will begin immediately after stocking. There is not a requirement for a license or trout license for fishing at the pond. Once stocked, trout fishing will be strictly “catch and keep”, i.e., there is to be no releasing of caught trout back into the pond. There is a daily creel limit of four rainbows per angler. After an angler catches (and keeps) four fish, he/she must cease fishing with anything that would (reasonably) catch a trout. Said another way, after you catch your four, you must stop fishing for trout. You can give your fish away if you wish, but it is still on your creel limit (for example, a fisherman could leave with more than their four fish, only if others give them theirs). The trout are provided for the enjoyment of Chapter members and their families, but guests are permitted per the following guidelines. A member may bring in two guests per visit. We are asking after November 19th that fishing guests be registered in the kiosk used for registering guests for shooting on the range. Use the same clipboard used for registering shooting guests but annotate that the guests are registered for fishing only. Guests are allowed only three visits before they should apply for membership to continue to benefit from the perks of the chapter. Also, there will be a clipboard at the “fishing shelter” near the fire pit for you to report your name, the date, and the number of trout caught. Whether you are a member or a guest please record your catch as you prepare to leave so we know the outtake of trout. Ernie Meier Memorial Trapshoot (Posted September 13, 2020)See the Activities tab for a brief article on the event and a special scoop on a more extensive article submitted to the IWLA national organization for publication in the next National Magazine, "Outdoor America." Chapter Board Electees Installed at Membership Meeting on September 3(Posted September 3, 2020)As a result of an election held at the August membership meeting, the elected officials were formally installed this evening for their 2021 term. The President of the Virginia State IWLA organization, Ernie Padgette, visited the chapter to preside over the oath of installation. The new officers and board directors elected are pictured below. ![]() L to R: Jamie Branham,
director (2 year term); Barbara Pritchett, secretary (1
year term); Herbert Pritchett, president (1 year term);
Ralph Kinch, treasurer (1 year term); Jim Lloyd,
director, (2 year term)
Not present for the photo
were Joe Webb, vice-president (1 year term); and Jim
Rector, director, (1 year term)
You may contact any of
the board members by using the information accessed at
the "Contact Us" web page
Barbara Pritchett is Elected to the National IWLA National Hall of Fame (Posted August 8, 2020)Barbara Pritchett, Secretary of the Fredericksburg-Rappahannock Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, Inc. was recently elected as a member of the IWLA Hall of Fame. At the August membership meeting of the local chapter on August 6, Ms. Pritchett was presented with a plaque signifying her election. Ernie Padgette, the president of the Virginia State Division made the formal presentation. Each year there are only 5 Hall of Fame awardees nation-wide. An article in the Izaak Walton National magazine, and a press release about this prestigious election is forthcoming. Congratulations, Barbara, the chapter is proud of you. ![]() ![]() Picture L. Barbara
Pritchett and Ernie Padgette presentation
Picture R. Barbara
Pritchett with Hall of Fame Award
Dirkland Talley Awarded the Annual Justice Tobin Award for 2019 (Posted July 11, 2020)See News Tab for detailsThe Concrete Pad for the New Pavilion has been Poured (posted May 31, 2020)This week at the chapter saw more progress on the new pavilion project with the construction of the forms, the installation of steel reinforcing rods and the pouring of the concrete for the floor. The next step will be for the steel structure to be fabricated at the manufacturing facility. Measurements of the slab will guide the fabricators into making the final precise pieces to be brought on site and erected. We should see this started in the early weeks of June. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The steel framework was erected (posted July 14, 2020)The steel framework was erected on Monday, July 13 and these photos were taken on Tuesday after the frame was made "true" and when the steel siding was beginning to be placed. The building shell, including roofing, should be complete by Friday, July 17. The new pavilion is going to be large!![]() ![]() ![]() The New Building has been Enclosed in Steel (posted July 18, 2020)The new steel building is 97 percent complete. It would be 100% if not for damage to two doors - one roll-up overhead and a smaller swing-out door. These missing/damaged doors will be installed/replaced late next week. The building is not yet ready for any activities until we get the final occupancy inspection from the county. And there is still electrical work that needs to be done. Please feel free to stop by and walk inside by entering through the open space where a door is to go near the last roll up door near the end of the building on the road side. Please do not open any other doors at this time. Any questions on this please call Herbert at 540-226-0015. Here are some photos for those that cannot visit personally. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The 2020 National IWLA Convention (Posted February 1, 2020)Read more at the National Convention page. The convention has been canceled due to COVID-19 impacts. Interested in Our Apiary? (Posted March 7, 2020)Go to our conservation page to see a newly created information sheet. If you are interested in becoming more expert on beekeeping contact Bryce Hanson at 001513bah@gmail.com Beekeeper Photos posted (Posted December 6, 2019)Go to the
Conservation page to see several
photos of our Chapter Apiary Volunteers as they work to
put the apiary into winter hibernation.
Chronic Wasting Disease Information of Interest to Members (Posted December 31, 2019)On December 11, 2019, Tom
Ciarula of the Arlington-Fairfax Chapter attended a
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fishery (DGIF)
Meeting in Richmond. Tom represented both the
Arlington-Fairfax Chapter and the Virginia Division at
the meeting. Attached is a presentation
providing the latest information from DGIF on Chronic
Wasting Disease (CWD) in the deer population in
Virginia. Ernie Padgette,President, Virginia Division,
IWLA has asked us to disseminate to all interested
parties.
Rainbow Trout waiting to be caught at the Chapter Pond (Updated December 1, 2019)It should be good fishing at the pond.Chapter Receives Two National Awards at Most Recent Convention in Des Moines (Posted August 4, 2019) Your
chapter was recognized twice at the 2019 National
Convention. See National Convention tab.
New to Fishing or Do You Want to Become More Proficient? (Posted August 3, 2019)An excellent place to start is the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries web page where you can do everything from purchase your license and read about the regulations as well as learn much about the art of fishing. Become a more educated angler then grab your pole and tackle and come out to the chapter to practice what you learn.The Power of Change (Posted April 10, 2019)The
Power
of Change recently awarded our Chapter with funds for
our Honey Bee conservation effort.
If you are in the REC service area enroll today
at the Power
of
Change web page to allow REC to make grants like
this to worthy programs like ours.
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