By Mike Roche
Last Saturday night, the Mahar Regional School Cafeteria was full, and no one left disappointed or hungry.
That crowd includes three generations of club members who look forward to the annual gathering of local people who enjoy sitting back and enjoying well-prepared wild game and good company. Among those gathered were several members of the original club when Mahar Regional School opened its doors in 1957. The Father and Son Banquet tradition began for the club whose members were high school boys. The food was provided by the ladies of the Congregational Church in Orange. Some of the original members of the club have had children and grandchildren who have been part or part of the school club which has now held a game supper for 21 years.
A lot has changed besides the menu in the past 64 years. Girls were admitted to club membership in 1969 and a middle school club was later established to allow any and all Mahar students to participate in the club, which focused on outdoor activities of hunting and fishing, which is a huge part of life. in the towns comprising the Mahar Regional School District. Regular events over the years have included trap shoots, ice fishing derbies and an annual deep sea fishing trip. Other club activities include fly tying classes, programs by MassWildlife professionals on various wildlife and fishing topics, and trips that include canoe adventures in the Boundary Water Wilderness Area in Minnesota and 10 day Alaska tour.
Like everything in our lives, club activities have been curtailed by COVID, but the past two years have shown a strong return to many students, especially middle-schoolers, who are eager to participate in outdoor activities. If Saturday night is an example, the sky is the limit for boys and girls. Master of ceremonies was club President Jeffrey LaPlante, and he did a great job keeping things moving and letting everyone know what was going on. There were lots of door prizes and raffles, and local businesses really stepped up to support the club. There are also some really nice club T-shirts and sweatshirts for sale and the designs are created by the students themselves.
Club officers were recognized, and club awards were presented. This year’s officers are Jeffrey LaPlante, president, Audrey Elwood, vice president, Stella Moore, secretary, and Rory Minty treasurer. Two outstanding member awards were presented and the Button Buck Award, given to an outstanding middle school member, went to Cory Tanner, while the Founders Award, which goes to an outstanding high school club member, was given to Audrey Elwood. Each year the club recognizes former club President Fran Driscoll from a fund established by her family. This fund provides sponsorship to attend the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp and the recipient is Ronnie Suojenen. Mike Donnelly, longtime supporter of Massachusetts Ducks Unlimited, presented club Treasurer Rory Minty with the Massachusetts Ducks Unlimited Greenwing Award, recognizing the sophomore’s steadfast commitment to conservation.
The club also continues the tradition of awarding state and local conservation awards. The local award recognized Rodney Flagg for his many contributions to the Fish’N Game Club and the area. His amazing skill at tying big fly fishers is known across the country and he always gives great advice to anyone who stops by the shop. That store was an institution and also served as a check station for both deer and turkey season. His generous support for the club over the years is noted and greatly appreciated.
This writer was truly humbled when club Advisor Evelyn Cunha presented me with the State Award for Service to Youth and Conservation. My time as advisor to the Fish’N Game Club after taking over from my father, club founder John E. Roche Jr., was very fun and rewarding. It has truly been a real pleasure and the opportunity to work with so many talented young men and women over the years has been most rewarding. Working as a counselor and later camp director at the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp and also serving as a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor for many years also provided the same satisfaction and allowed me to make a difference. Seeing Mahar Fish’N Game Club keep the tradition alive driven by the next generation of outdoor youth is truly inspiring.
In his remarks, LaPlante acknowledged the Mahar School administrators in attendance and both Principal Scott Hemlin and Superintendent Elizabeth Zielinski spoke of their respect for the club and appreciation of the importance of outdoor recreation such as hunting and fishing to people in region. That support has been critical to the club’s longevity and success, and both are unique. The special learning opportunities provided by the Mahar Fish’N Game Club over a long period of time have had a great impact on the students. At Mahar’s cafeteria Saturday night there were hundreds of examples enjoying food and fellowship.
The club would like to give special thanks to Mahar cafeteria manager Jackie Dillenback and Mark Kovalsick, Chuck Neveu and Anthony Cunha for their food preparation duties. Significant meat donations were provided by Kurt French, Astro Minty, Rick and Ruth French and the Massachusetts Environmental Police.
Please be aware that this year promises to be a nightmare as far as ticks are concerned and they are out of numbers. Just yesterday I discovered something resting on my shoulder. Dogs were also found with a few last week, but thanks to the protection provided by their collars, all were relatively dead. There are a number of very effective products on the market to protect your dogs. My experience with both collars and oral medications has been good. A few years ago, Fran Phillips, who worked with me at Mahar and really knows hunting dogs, recommended Soresto Collars and found them reliable for up to eight months unless you dogs are regularly in the water, which limiting potency for several months. Bravecto, an oral product, is equally effective. Before using these products, my dog Dinah contracted Lyme disease and needed Doxycycline, which is now part of my hunting bag essentials. Do your research, choose a treatment and start today.
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues throughout his life. He has written Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and served as an advisor to the MaharFish’N Game Club, advisor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former representative of the Connecticut Valley District on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, has been a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor. and a licensed hunting guide in New York. He can be reached at [email protected].
