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Hot Topics!

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Events for the week of June 20 and Our Next Chapter Work Day on July 3, 2021  (Updated June 12, 2021)

The membership meetings scheduled for the first Thursday of each month were 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.

It is important to maintain social distancing and masking requirements as much as possible while inside the chapter house.  Wash hands and use hand sanitizer.

• 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    IMPORTANT:  Review the safety requirements on the Conservation page.
  
• Saturday, 9 AM, Prospective Member interviews and new member orientation.
• 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 your archived photo.
  
• Saturday, 10 AM, training session 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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The Fredericksburg Dog Mart is Commended by the Virginia Legislature (Posted June 4, 2021)

Delegate Mark L. Cole (R) House District 88, attended our June 3, 2021, Membership meeting to present the chapter with a resolution commending the heritage and stewardship over the centuries for the Fredericksburg Dog Mart.  His remarks included the fact that the dog mart was an event that predated the founding of Spotsylvania County which is in its tricentennial celebration year. Here is Delegate Cole presenting the formal resolution to Darrell Schultz, board director and manager for the Fredericksburg Dog Mart.

The full text of the resolution can be found at HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 667

The patrons for this resolution were Delegates Mark L. Cole, district 88; Nicolas J. Freitas, district 30; and Bobby Orrock, district 54; along with Senator Bryce Reeves, district 17.

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Chapter members Awarded the prestigious Judge Tobin Award (Posted June 4, 2021)  See News Tab

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The Fox Family  (Posted May 15, 2021)

On Thursday of this week at about 5 pm, I was working out near range 2 on the camera.  There were three shooters there earlier in the afternoon and had been shooting constantly at paper and clay targets.  After they left, I noticed a small fox head peering over the top of the range 2 berm.  It was a "scout" and as soon as it thought the coast was clear it invited two of its siblings out to play on the impact side of the berm.  They moved towards the left side and close to the animal burrow just outside the post holding the line on which targets are hung.  I wanted to get a photo of the three playing together but I must have blinked because as I moved to get closer all of a sudden they had disappeared as if by magic!  So, if you are close to range 2 and no one is there, move carefully towards the range and you might get a glimpse of a young fox family.  As I finished up my work and getting into my truck, a bald eagle appeared flying easterly over the pond and towards the upper pavilion and beyond into the woods beyond Herndon road.  The chapter is truly a nature preserve.  Jim Lloyd

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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Important Message to members for the 2021 Chapter Election Cycle (Posted May 8, 2021)

If you desire to nominate yourself for the upcoming vacant position on the Fredericksburg-Rappahannock Chapter board of directors read the email message from the Chairman of the Election Nominating Committee.  There is a requirement to submit your nomination by May 27, 2021.

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New Member Inducted in June 2021  (Posted June 5, 2021)

We had one person that was inducted to the membership rolls in June 2021.  Welcome new member, Edward F. Whelan V, an individual member:

New Members Inducted in May 2021 (Posted May 8, 2021)

The photo below depicts the large group of new members that were inducted as members on May 6 at the Membership Meeting and provided an orientation today at the chapter house.

See the photo below for the new members of the Chapter that were inducted on April 1 and oriented on April 3, 2021.

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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Snow Scenes at the Chapter on January 31, 2021

Herbert 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

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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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

   

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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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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."

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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.

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.

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Dirkland Talley Awarded the Annual Justice Tobin Award for 2019 (Posted July 11, 2020)

See News Tab for details

The 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.

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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.

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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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Chronic Wasting Disease Information of Interest to Members (Posted December 31, 2019)

Rainbow Trout waiting to be caught at the Chapter Pond (Updated December 1, 2019)

It should be good fishing at the pond.

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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.

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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.

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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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Notice: New Trash Policy for Ranges (Posted March 16, 2019)

The Chapter has instituted a new policy for trash disposal at the ranges.  Simply, if you bring any material into the range areas, to include targets, temporary target stands, cartridge boxes, food or drink, etc., you are to remove it from the property and dispose with your personal household waste.  You may leave bullet casings in the supplied bucket (not on the ground) and lead in the berms.  That's it.  Details of this new policy were distributed by an email reminder on March 15.

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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 the News Tab for Several Recent  "News" events  (Posted June  22,  2018 )

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

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New WiFI Communications Capability at Our Chapter   (updated May 6, 2018 )

The long awaited change from our previous Internet supplier to Comcast Business has been accomplished.  We now have a high speed Internet, TV and 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). This access was fixed on May 6 so now it should work easily for all.

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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We Now Have a Work Van for Facility Maintenance Chores  (posted March 18, 2018)

Thanks to the efforts of one of our members, we have a vehicle that we can use for chores around the Chapter and to support our activities off-site. The Chevrolet E3500 van looks and runs like new and was donated to the Chapter by Dominion Electric.  The decals were added so that we can be visible in our community and project our image of Conservation and community service.  The van will become very useful in July when we need to transport cargo to the site of the National Convention we are hosting in Fredericksburg.

  

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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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