Gun Club Purchases $15,000 of Body Armor for Local Police

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

President of MutualOne Bank Mark Haranas, left, and Framingham Police Chief Kenneth Ferguson stand with Officer Philip Hurton and Weston Shooters Club owner Victor Grillo.

WESTON, MA -- Weston Shooters Club of Weston, Massachusetts, is pleased to announce that it has donated $15,000 to purchase body armor for the Framingham (MA) Police Department. With funds provided by Weston Shooters Club, Framingham PD was able to purchase 25 sets of ballistic vests, helmets, and related equipment for its officers.

Through its relationship with Mark Haranas, President of Mutual One Bank of Framingham, Victor Grillo learned that the Framingham Police Department was seeking funds to purchase new body armor for its officers. Victor Grillo, owner of Weston Shooters Club, subsequently jumped at the opportunity to fund the purchase.

Victor Grillo, owner of Weston Shooters Club, said, "Our members are strong supporters of responsible gun ownership and firearms safety. We are pleased to be able to help our friends in law enforcement stay safe as they work to protect our community every day from those who don't share the same gun values we do."

Mark Haranas, President of Mutual One Bank, said, "We have been supporting police efforts for years. Teaming up with Weston Shooters Club has been a great experience."

Kenneth Ferguson, Chief of the Framingham Police Department, said, "We are so grateful when members of the community step up to the plate to fund improvements that keep our officers and community safe. On behalf of everyone at the Framingham Police Department, we thank Weston Shooters Club and Mutual One Bank for their generous donations."

About Weston Shooters Club: Weston Shooters Club, located in Weston, MA, is New England's newest and finest private shooting club. It represents a new format where country club meets gun club, and has enjoyed great support from its members and the surrounding communities since opening in 2014. WSC is the premier provider of firearms safety instruction in the Metro West communities of Massachusetts.

Cabela's stockholders approve sale to Bass Pro Shops

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Cabela's stockholders approve sale to Bass Pro Shops

SIDNEY, Neb. - Cabela’s Incorporated said Tuesday that its shareholders approved the company's sale to Bass Pro Shops of Springfield, Mo. The vote was Tuesday morning at Cabela's headquarters here.
Bass Pro and Cabela's announced the deal last fall. Bass Pro Shops will pay $4 billion to buy Cabela's. The Federal Trade Commission approved the deal last week. Cabela's shareholders will receive $61.50 per share.
In addition to selling Cabela's stores, website and catalog business to Bass Pro, Cabela's plans to sell its credit card unit.
Bass Pro Shops hasn't said how many of the roughly 2,000 jobs based in Sidney will remain after the sales closes. Johnny Morris and his family own Bass Pro Shops; its headquarters is on East Kearney Street in Springfield.
"The final vote results will be filed on a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions," Cabelas' said in its news release.
“We are pleased that our combination with Bass Pro Shops has received the overwhelming support of Cabela’s shareholders,” Tommy Millner, Cabela’s chief executive officer, said in the news release. “Today’s results are an important milestone as we look forward to completing the merger and creating the premier retailer in outdoor sporting goods, with an unparalleled commitment to customer loyalty and satisfaction.”
The two companies sell hunting, fishing, camping, shooting sports, and related outdoor merchandise. Cabela's was founded in 1961. Bass Pro Shops was founded in the 1970s.

DEM, CENTRAL FALLS TEAM UP TO HOST KIDS’ SALTWATER FISHING EXCURSION

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

DEM, CENTRAL FALLS TEAM UP TO HOST KIDS’ SALTWATER FISHING EXCURSION

PROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in partnership with the City of Central Falls and Progreso Latino, will host a kids’ saltwater fishing excursion aboard the Francis Fleet Charter out of Point Judith on Wednesday. Fifty local children and their families will participate in the free event, spending an afternoon on Narragansett Bay learning to fish and identify marine life in the Bay. 

 

WHAT:       Let’s Go Fishing event aboard the Francis Fleet Charter Boat

 

WHEN:      Wednesday, July 12 | 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

WHERE:      Point Judith, Narragansett 

 

** Media interested in joining for the boat trip should contact Gail Mastrati at gail.mastrati@dem.ri.gov by Tuesday, July 11. 

                               

As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities in the state, fishing plays an important role in connecting people with nature, promoting health, attracting tourism, and supporting a treasured tradition for Rhode Island families. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, there are approximately 175,000 recreational anglers (age 16+) in Rhode Island. And recreational fishing contributes more than $130 million to the economy each year.

 

The Let’s Go Fishing excursion will be led by instructors from DEM’s Aquatic Resource Education (ARE) program. ARE hosts recreational fishing opportunities for the public throughout the year in addition to offering marine science training to educators. For more information on ARE programs, visit www.dem.ri.gov.  Follow DEM on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or via Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.

DEM HOSTS FREE FLY-FISHING WORKSHOP THIS MONTH

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

PROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) – in partnership with Trout Unlimited, United Fly-Tyers of Rhode Island, and the Wood River Fly-Fishing Association – will host a free fly-fishing clinic for women this month.

WHAT:               Ladies Fly-Fishing Day

WHEN:               Sunday, July 16 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

   Carolina Trout Pond, Carolina

The fly-fishing workshop, part of DEM’s Aquatic Resource Education (ARE) program, includes instruction on fly-tying, fly-casting and related equipment. Participants will also have an opportunity to fish in a stocked pond. ARE provides a host of recreational fishing opportunities for the public – as well as marine science programming for educators.

According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation in Rhode Island generates $2.4 billion in consumer spending and supports 24,000 jobs. As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities in the state, fishing plays an important role in connecting people with nature, attracting tourism, and supporting a treasured tradition for Rhode Island families. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, there are approximately 175,000 recreational anglers (age 16+) in Rhode Island. And recreational fishing contributes more than $130 million to the economy annually.

All equipment and materials are provided by the ARE program and lunch will be provided, courtesy of Trout Unlimited. Space is limited and registration is required. For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Jessica Pena at Jessica.Pena@dem.ri.gov or at 539-0019. Follow DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) or Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM for timely updates.

Gun rights advocate Ronald Amidon named Massachusetts fish & game commissioner

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Ron Amidon posed with a fresh catch on a fishing excursion. Amidon, an avid sportsman, will be the state's next fish and game commissioner.(Courtesy EEA)

Gun rights advocate and sportsman Ronald Amidon will take over as the Baker administration's fish and game commissioner.
Amidon is president of the Gun Owners Action League (GOAL) and has worked on identifying "cold water refuges for trout and the restoration of upland bird habitat," according to the Baker administration, which on Wednesday announced Amidon's appointment and the retirement of commissioner George Peterson Jr.
"Ron's been around the sporting and outdoor world for an awful long time," GOAL Executive Director James Wallace told the News Service. He said, "He's certainly got his heart into it."
The Templeton resident will succeed Peterson, a U.S. Army veteran who spent about two decades in the House as a Grafton Republican, rising to the position of assistant minority leader. Peterson previously worked as a commercial fisherman.

The Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs credited Peterson with preserving land, assisting the commercial fishing industry with an industry-based survey, and leading construction of a water pipeline and hydropower turbine at the McLaughlin Fish Hatchery in Belchertown.
Amidon's professional experience is in construction management, according to the Baker administration.
For the past few years Amidon has been working at McCourt Construction as a construction superintendent on the Whittier Bridge project along Interstate 95, according to Steve Frick, vice president of operations at McCourt. Frick said Amidon has worked for the company for four years.
A LinkedIn profile for Amidon said he was general manager for Deloury Construction, where he overhauled business processes. The profile said he had management positions at The Case Companies, J. Derenzo Construction, and Marois Bros. in addition to starting his own company.
Wallace said GOAL will hold a meeting soon to select a new president, and he said Amidon has held the top position for less than a year.
"Ron knows the Commonwealth's fisheries and wildlife as well as land protection responsibilities, and I look forward to working with him to continue the Baker-Polito Administration's support of the Commonwealth's wildlife, open spaces, and outdoor educational programs," Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matt Beaton said in a statement.

Source:By State House News Service                               

Spring Bling for Massachusetts Eaglets

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

This spring, Mass Wildlife staff banded 29 eaglet chicks with two identification leg bands; an orange state band and a silver federal band. Some reports are still coming in, but the estimated number of eaglets fledging (surviving to fly from the nest) is at least 50 birds from 57 known active nests. Mass Wildlife's eaglet banding season ended June 22, a very late date for a very remarkable reason. After a spring storm in early March destroyed their nest and eggs, a pair of eagles in Middlesex County rebuilt the nest in a nearby tree, successfully laid eggs, and hatched two eaglets. This is the first time eagle re-nesting has been reported in the Bay State. Eagle re-nesting is an extremely rare event due to the amount of energy required to rebuild a nest, lay eggs, and hatch chicks. Mass Wildlife tree climbing staff reported that the new nest located in a large pine near the Charles River was about five feet in diameter and solidly built. The few re-nesting reports from other parts of the country indicate that successful re-nesting occurs only when the event happens during the early egg laying period. To support the conservation of Bald Eagles and other rare wildlife, donate to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund. Contribute by sending a check made payable to Commonwealth of MA: NHESP to Mass Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. Learn more: mass.gov/nhesp.

A Place Called Hope Presents “Just Hawks” at Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby,Connecticut

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) invites families to a presentation on hawks on Saturday, July 15 at 11:00 a.m. at Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby.

A Place Called Hope will be on hand to present this special program focused on Connecticut’s daytime raptor, the hawk.  Learn about their special adaptations and compare the various species of hawks up close and personal.  All ages will enjoy meeting two live hawks from the raptor center and examining the collection of mounts found at the Kellogg Environmental Center.  Plan to bring a picnic to enjoy following the program and use the trails and field to spot some raptors in the area.

A Place Called Hope is a Rehabilitation and Education Center for Birds of Prey. Their goal is to heal injured, orphaned, or ill birds and return them to the wild where they belong. Federal permits allow them to house and work with the birds that cannot be returned to their natural world.  Their mission includes sharing the stories of these non-releasable birds with others so that we can better understand their needs and learn to co-exist with them. 

This program is offered free of charge but donations are welcome.  DEEP’s Kellogg Environmental Center is located at 500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby, CT.  For further information, directions, or to register, please phone the Kellogg Environmental Center at (203) 734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov