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Hot Topics!

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Events for the week of September 19 and Our Next Chapter Work Day on October 9 , 2021  (Updated September 19, 2021).

Dog Mart, Saturday!  See our new website

Note that ranges will be closed on Saturday so that Dog Mart can be without the sound of gun fire.

For your information: The membership meeting that is scheduled for the first Thursday of each month was reinstated on April 1 and now continuing with no seating restrictions as of June 3.  See the official chapter calendar for any changes to the official event schedules if any further changes to the limitations are made. 

See the official chapter calendar for events scheduled this week and any other week where events have been scheduled.  If you desire an event to be placed on the calendar, please communicate with the president, Herbert Pritchett, Sr at his cell phone number 540-226-0015 or his email address  hwpritchettsr@yahoo.com. You should also reference the event requirements detailed in the Premises Use Agreement located on the Facilities web page.

First Saturday of the Month workdays (typical schedule):

• Saturday, grounds maintenance tasks begin at 8:00 AM,  The kitchen area of the chapter house is off-limits except for kitchen crew.
  
• Saturday, Adopt-a-Highway roadside pickup event  (There is a pickup planned for September 4, 2021)    IMPORTANT:  Review the safety requirements on the Conservation page.
  
• Saturday, 9 AM, Prospective Member interviews and new member orientation in chapter house.
• Saturday, All-in-One badging photos between 9:30 AM to 12 noon. The photo sitting will be first come first served. If you are possessing a temporary access badge (either orange or white), please come in to obtain a proper photo ID. If you are replacing a badge (where a photo exists but the badge has failed due to misuse) there will be a new photo badge reissued for a fee of $10 using either your archived photo or a new photo taken at the time of issue.
  
• Saturday, 10 AM, training session as needed for clay pigeon thrower on shotgun range (range 4) 15 minute tutorial and demonstration (if demand exists; please advise if you want an orientation.)

Note: In consideration of the fact that members are volunteering their efforts in support of the chapter other recreational pursuits (fishing or shooting as prime examples) are closed until workday is complete. It could be as late as 3 PM although it might end as early as 1 PM when work has completed. The workday tasks have priority.  No other events are presently planned, however, it is always prudent to check with the official chapter calendar for any last minute changes.

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Mattaponi District Scouts were Guests at the Chapter Last Weekend (Posted September 19, 2021)

The chapter was host to the Mattaponi District Scout Fall Camporee over the weekend on September 10-12.  The scouts were encamped on the property and were focusing on the preparation for their merit badge in search and rescue.  There was a variety of county and state equipment used in search and rescue on land, water and air.  Fire trucks, EMS ambulances, the water dive team and a state police search and rescue helicopter were all on display.  A few photos:

New Officers Inducted at September Membership Meeting (posted September 3, 2021)

At the September Membership Meeting the recently elected board members were sworn in y the past vice president Joe Webb.  The photo was taken after the ceremony:

Eagle Scout Project Improves Comfort at the Pond (posted September 3, 2021)

Six new park benches ring the pond and trails thanks to BSA Troop 179's Christopher Crespo completing his Eagle Scout Service Project.

Chris is the 3rd son of newer IWLA members, Richard and Diana Crespo, to complete his Eagle Scout requirements.  The Crespo family are no strangers to the IWLA, as their 3 Boy Scouts have done numerous camp outs and other scout events at the IWLA over the past 11 years.

Thanks to Chris for his contribution to the comfort of chapter members when visiting the pond.  This is also a great time to have this improvement just before our Dog Mart at the end of the month.

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Chapter Celebrates National Shooting Sports Month (posted August 29, 2021)

See article at the Activities tab on Ted McPherson Memorial Trapshoot.

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New Member Orientation, Saturday, August 7, 2021

A number of new members were given an orientation and issued membership badges on workday, August 7, 2021.  The group is pictured below:

From left to right:  Melanie and Robert Rykena, FM; Don and Sherry Hildebrand FM; Dianne Napier (FM); Mike Del Signore RG; Richard Petras RG; Mark Crain RG; Don Hendley (July 2021) RG; George and Carol Rice FM; and Tom Powell RG.   FM is a family membership and RG is an individual (regular) membership.

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Chapter Board Election Results (posted August 6, 2021)

Annual elections of board members for the year September 2021 to August 2022, were held at the August membership meeting, the elected officials were presented on a ballot.  There were no nominations from the floor so the slate of candidates was put to a voice vote and unanimously affirmed  The president of the Virginia Division, Ernie Padgette, visited the chapter to administer the election as the parliamentarian.  The recently elected officials will be installed at the September 2021 membership meeting. The new officers and board directors that were elected are:

Update: One of our members (Angela Walker) and her husband, Chuck, visited the chapter on Sunday morning when everything is quiet and Angela took several photos of the fox kits on range 2.  Beautiful animals and excellent photos.  Thanks, Walker family for sharing the photos with us.  [Note: My phone camera is good for selfies but not for nature shots like these!]

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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.

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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.

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Commonwealth's Coronovirus-19 Assembly Restriction Status (Updated May 29, 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 commonwealth limitations.

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See the Conservation Tab for the story and two videos of the trout stocking and fishing today at Izaak Walton Fred-Rapp Chapter.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Do You Plan to Host an Event at the Chapter?  (updseted May 16, 2020) 

The Chapter is an amazing asset if any member want to host an event on the premises.  If you have an intent to host a group, make sure you do some advance planning and contact the Chapter's Event Planner, Herbert Pritchett.  Earlier in May, we updated the Chapter's House and Ground Rules and at the same time established a requirement for anyone desiring the use of the Chapter to access, download, read and complete the Request for Use of Chapter Premises.  This document outlines requirements for use, releases the Chapter from liability and assures the requester the full knowledge of the Chapter's expectations.  The document can always be found midway on the Facilities page.  Please submit your completed application to Herbert Pritchett at email at hwpritchettsr@yahoo.com well in advance of the anticipated use so that you are assured of permission to use and no conflicts with other events.  Always look at the Chapter Calendar when planning.

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See Conservation page for the latest Adopt-a-Highway report  (posted April 3, 2019 )

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WiFI Communications Capability at Our Chapter Expanded   (updated September 3, 2021 )

Our Internet capability has been provided by Comcast Business for the past 3 years.  We have a high speed Internet, TV and voice over internet telephone.  If you want to access wifi at the Chapter you may use our guest access network line by setting up your device to receive the signal (you may find the credentials in the Member Only Login page). We have internet access from the front of the chapter all the way to the other side of the pond using Unifi access points mounted in the chapterhouse, the Activity Center and on the camera pole on the far side of the pond.

Our new phone number, accessible at phone boxes outside the Chapterhouse, at the tool shed and a remote phone in the kitchen, is 540-412-9330.  You can make outgoing and incoming calls.  The bell does not riing loudly for incoming calls outside and if no one is close by do not rely on it being answered if it is an emergency.  The previous phone service was limited to outgoing 911 and was "copper wire"; this new phone is VOIP and can be used for any local dialing which is especially useful for those members that do not have good cell phone service at the Chapter.

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Our Chapter Apiary is in the Local News (posted April 15, 2018 ) 

See article

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Chapter Awarded Monetary Grant from Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (posted March 28, 2018 ) 

See the Conservation tab for more information.

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Spanish Speaking Person Sought

Greg Raines indicated at the March Membership Meeting that the VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) is asking for volunteer Spanish interpreters for a class they will be holding for children.  Anyone interested may contact Greg at 540-287-2628  (A text message works best).

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Project Healing Waters Social Media Sites  (Posted August 3, 2017)

Members may learn more about Project Healing Waters by accessing the web sites at http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/programs/locations/virginia/   or the more detailed information on the Fredericksburg Facebook page of Project Healing Waters 

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Archery Ranges (posted June 15, 2017)

Members are reminded that the Manahoac Bowmen organization operates an archery range which is inside the woods beyond the flag pole on the west side of the pond.  No IWLA member is allowed to use that range for archery purposes without the permission and guidance of the Manahoac Bowmen.  There is a series of ranges for use by IWLA members to the right of the Bowmen's building.  It is situated between the Shotgun Range and the Bowmen's building.  There are several shooting lanes of varying distance for targets primarily for arrows with field points.  Archers shall not be using broadhead arrow tips on any target not designed for their use.  If you are not familiar with this prohibition please reference the Chapter's range rules.  If you do not understand the basis for the requirement, do not shoot broadhead arrows without consulting someone in charge of the Manahoac Bowmen organization. Shooting broadhead arrows at targets meant for field points damages the targets severely. Broadhead arrows are razor sharp and designed to rip and tear flesh.  If shot into a target meant for field points they can easily break off and present a very severe hazard to anyone left with the task of repairing the targets.  Violators of this prohibition will be severely penalized.  Again, do not use broadhead arrows unless you know what you are doing.  The person or persons that shot these arrows into field targets obviously did not know what they were doing or were maliciously/willingly damaging property.  Please direct any questions about the archery ranges and range requirements to Eugene Slagle at eugeneslagle@gmail.com.  You can obtainin additional information about the bowmen organization at their web page.

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Assured Access to Advanced Health Care Directives  (posted April 6, 2017)

At the April Chapter Membership Meeting, George Lear reported to the membership the existence of a service that the Commonwealth of Virginia provides to its citizens.  This service is a secure website that can be used to store important documents that protect your legal rights and ensure your medical wishes are honored if you are incapacitated and unable to manage your own care.  The database of Advance Directives at this website is held in a confidential and secure site, protected by the most up-to-date web and database security standards. All information submitted is used only by authorized individuals and kept completely confidential. If you are interested in learning more about this service you can obtain all the information and subscribe by linking here.

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Free Money for the Chapter (posted February 11, 2017)

If any of our members (or anyone else for that matter) shop using Amazon Smiles, it takes just a few adjustments of your account to have the Amazon company donate a percentage of the sale to the account of the Fred-Rapp Chapter at no cost to the member.  The percentage is small but just in the last quarter the Chapter has earned nearly $10 through this no cost feature of Amazon.  See our Donations tab for access to the steps to make this happen for the benefit of the Chapter. Or learn more about Amazon Smiles and how to use this feature by clicking here.

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Lost and Found (reposted May 1, 2018)

Several items have been found at the Chapterhouse:

• A set of small keys
  
• A very nice electronic camera found at the Chapter several years ago.
• A pink, black, and blue woman's scarf left in Chapterhouse on December 5, 2015

Send an email to newsletter@iwlafred-rapp.org describing your lost item and we will figure out a good time to get the item back to its proper owner.

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