THE ROCKFORD SPORTSMAN'S CLUB 1945-1995
A LOOK AT OUR FIRST FIFTY YEARS
by Thomas D. Smith

As World War Two ended in 1945, change was in the wind. Servicemen who returned home brought a fresh outlook from their experiences and places they had served during this great conflict. Those who had served on the home front also knew that their peacetime years were going to be different from the hard Depression times of the 1930’s. Rockford, Michigan, at this time, was considered still largely a rural community a little removed from the busy urban life of nearby Grand Rapids. Yet, Rockford had people who understood the possibilities for the future.

During this time of change and new beginnings, the September 6, 1945 issue of the Rockford Register carried an article headlined "Local Group Plans Sportsman's Club". Local people interested in fishing, hunting, archery, and other types of outdoor sports were invited to the Oddfellows Hall (corner Monroe and Courtland) for the purpose of organizing a Sportsman's Club in Rockford. Public response was good and the first officers were elected at the Community Cabin (still on Monroe Street) in October, 1945. Marvin Marcott was named President, P. Bivins would be Secretary-Treasurer, and Bob Young (founder of Young Insurance) would serve as Membership Chairman. Dues were set at $1.00 per year. No evidence of formal bylaws for the early years of the Club have been found, but, Rockford now had an organization interested in the enjoyment and improvement of outdoor activities. In January, 1946 the Club sponsored a fox hunt with an invitation to fellow hunters to meet in the "business district" to organize the hunt. Safety was emphasized as ammunition was limited to shotguns with fine shot with no rifles or shotgun slugs allowed. The annual Club rabbit hunt is a continuation of this time for fellowship and good sport.

Meetings were still held at the Community Cabin and the Club saw the need for both more members and a permanent home. Richardson's Pool and Billiard Parlor raffled a fly rod in April, 1946 to help raise funds for a Clubhouse. In June, the Club brought in guest speakers to their meeting for presentations on "Trout Fishing and Canoe Trails", and "Trout Fishing in Canada". Their presenters came from Clarksville, east of Ionia, which was an even longer trip than now!


By March, 1947, the Club had grown to 170 members, but the leadership wished to double that number! The March 27, 1947 Rockford Register published:

The Club was first organized . . . with the following objectives in mind: Firstly, to promote better hunting and fishing, secondly, to conserve the natural resources of our area, thirdly, to establish friendly relations with land owners, fourthly, to establish better cooperation with law enforcement agencies, and, fifthly to campaign wholeheartedly for stream improvement.

A large majority of the members agreed with these objectives, but, unfortunately, attendance at meetings was sometimes lacking.

To boost participation, a program of door prizes was established for each regular meeting This practice is still a part of regular RSC meetings. The 1947 leadership of President Ed Fisher,Vice-President Marvin Marcott, Treasurer Don Richmond and the Board of Directors saw as a priority the acquisition of a piece of land where a target range and skeet range could be set up and a clubhouse erected. Their efforts met success with the deeding of part of the present Northland Drive site above Porter Hollow to the Club from Candace A. Brown and Darol E. Goodbred in July, 1947. Until sufficient funds could be raised for improvements, this parcel was used for informal shooting and social activities. Club meetings were still held in the Community Cabin.
The Club continued its conservation efforts with activities like pot luck suppers in the High School. Special emphasis was placed on sportsman/farmer relations as each member was encouraged to bring a local land owner. Speakers from the Conservation Department (present Department of Natural Resources) spoke on topics such as pheasant propagation and habitat improvement. With an eye to young people as the future, students from the Rockford High School Conservation Club were invited to these occasions. Also, sportsmen from Cedar Springs and Sparta attended.

1948 and 1949 were growing years. The Club published a "Sportsman's Column" in the Register as often as possible, and work on improvements on the Club grounds was begun. Vice-President Dick Soloman headed publicity for conservation efforts such as the March Wildlife Week and the distribution of Wildlife Stamps to the community. In September, 1949, the Club announced its first organized trap shoot day at the Club grounds. This shoot proved popular and was followed by an October shoot day. Also, plans for a bear hunt in November, 1949, were made. Shooters met at "Hessel's" three miles west of Cedar Springs, and, interestingly, archers were to gather at Grumleys Bow Shop north of Rockford. The Conservation Department was on hand with an airplane spotter and organizational advice. No record of the result of this bruin quest has been found.

The fifties began with a Club project to propagate pheasants by obtaining pheasant eggs for distribution , hatching, and release of birds by members and interested farmers. In June, 1950, the Club distributed 900 pheasant eggs. Also, 200 trees were planted on the Club property, and plans were made to have a booth at the Rockford Homecoming in the fall to raise money for the Building Fund. President Otis Van Driel reported the 1950 membership drive brought in eighty-eight new members. The Club began using the American Legion Hall for meetings and met at the Club grounds in the summer months. Discussion was still underway of a Clubhouse and dues were raised to $2.00 per year. Participation was spotty, and 1951 saw the Club still sponsoring pancake suppers at the Legion Hall and the High School. A bit of intrigue centered around the disappearance from the Club grounds of telephone poles donated by Consumers Power. March 27, 1952 was the official ground breaking for the planned twenty-eight by forty-two foot cement block clubhouse. Finances were still tight and progress was slow. Membership meetings were still at the Legion Hall and at the Club grounds in good weather. In May, 1953, members could buy stock at W.A. Young's Insurance Agency at $20.00 per share to help complete construction of the clubhouse. Apparently, response was not overwhelming as in January,1954, the possible disbanding of the Club and disposal of the grounds to cover debts was seriously considered. The crisis was handled but progress on the clubhouse was only done when money permitted. The structure was enclosed and roofed by the late fifties, but floors still needed to be poured and a heating system installed. Fall and winter meetings moved to the Rockford Hotel or Hydes Hot Dog (present Corner Bar). The unprecedented prosperity of the fifties saw some members' time and interests shift from the Club to acquiring their own land. Rapid community growth and more convenient access to Grand Rapids with the completion of Wolverine Boulevard were but two factors that tended to shift interest from local involvement to other areas. Also, community service organizations such as the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce made their appearance and this, no doubt, drew some public interest away from the Sportsman's Club. The Club remained largely a social gathering place to meet with interested local sportsmen. Members visited with neighboring clubs like Madison Square on Seven Mile Road for informal trap shooting and fellowship. With the coming of the sixties, the Club had reached a turning point.
Due to lack of funds serious consideration was given to donating the Club property to the Boy Scouts. Building materials were sold to meet the property taxes. Some members, however, still saw a place for a Sportsman's Club . President Bob Wilkinson, Jack Mooney, "Jiggs" Linquist, Luther "Duffy" Duffield, George Laitila, Wendall Briggs,Ray Smit, Evertt Plambeck and other working members spearheaded fundraising efforts for operating survival and worked on building completion. Members, at times, passed the hat to meet utility bills. A bicycle raffle helped pay for cement and gravel to lay the floor in the club house.

The first turkey shoot was held in October of 1960; this event became a regular fund raiser for many years. The Shoot was dubbed "The Biggest Little Turkey Shoot in West Michigan" in an advertising poster. In spite of the problems, the Club continued to expand its conservation/shooting agenda.
In 1961, "Duffy" Duffield, Barney Kolasa, C. Huffman, and Bob Meyers organized and taught the first Hunter Safety class sponsored by the Rockford Sportsman's Club. The class was held in Comstock Park High School and trained thirty-three young hunters.

Local Conservation Officer Paul Durham was a frequent guest speaker at Club meetings. Starting from Officer Durham's input, the Club organized with other area clubs to fight the proposed "straightening" of the Rogue River during the building of US-131 in 1964. The Club asked for, and received, help from the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) on strategies to coordinate with other organizations to have input into the final decision on the construction of US 131 with a minimal impact on the Rogue River fishery. The maintenance of the natural flow of the Rogue River between 12 Mile and 13 Mile Roads at Edgerton Avenue is the result of these united efforts.

The Club began an ongoing affiliation with the MUCC after a previous "on again, off again" association. Club members and officers began attending MUCC training sessions and participated in local, district, and statewide activities of the MUCC. "Duffy" Duffield and Wendall Briggs urged increased Club participation and were among the first Club delegates to District and statewide MUCC meetings.

The Rogue River had been a resource on the Club's "watch list" for many years. In 1965, the Club began placing and maintaining trash barrels at access sites on the Rogue. This project continued into the late 1970's. Previously, the Club participated in the construction of stream improvements and removal of trash from the river.
Enjoyment of the shooting sports continued at the Club. What had been rather primitive trap shooting facilities were rebuilt into more permanent concrete constructions with electrically operated target throwers. Trap Field #1 was a project that was started in the late 1960's and is still in use today. The present 50 yard rifle and 25 yard pistol ranges, driveway, and parking lot were begun during the 1960's. Money was still a great problem, but through turkey shoots, raffles, and "auctions" (members donated personal belongings and solicited the public to do likewise) cash was raised for materials that could not be donated or procured. Labor was always done by the membership and working members donated countless hours to the completion of plumbing, electrical, heating, and kitchen facilities at the Club.

Social activities were not forgotten. Potluck suppers, pancake breakfasts, dances, card parties, and informal "sessions" gave members, spouses, and friends opportunities for fellowship. Increased involvement of member's spouses in Club fundraising and social activities led to the acceptance of ladies as members in 1967. By the late 1960's, ladies had full rights as regular members and could hold office in the Club. This change in membership philosophy brought changes in the make-up of the rank and file. Older members who strongly believed that the Club should be a men's only association left, and more family memberships appeared on the rolls. Many regular members' spouses willingly joined and helped shoulder work and leadership responsibilities. The 1970's were shaping up to be a period of positive change.

The purchase of more land around the original property became an even more important goal. Informal agreements and leases with neighbors on the south boundary provided access and space for shotfall from the trap field. But, the area around the Club was gradually developing, and nothing less than outright ownership of adjoining land would guarantee shooting and expansion space. Financing this land still posed a problem. Turkey shoots, raffles, dinners, etc. managed to keep the bills paid, and member volunteers continued to maintain the clubhouse and grounds. However, the larger amounts of cash needed for land acquisition just were not available. In February, 1974, the Club was contacted by the Comstock Park Rotary Club requesting another organization to help run its Bingo game at the "Golden Wheel" at Westgate Bowl on Alpine Avenue. Wendall Briggs, himself a member of the Rotary, encouraged the Club to take this opportunity. Members opinions and feelings were mixed. Some, President Luther Duffield, Secretary Donna Barnett, Trustee Don Warren and Ken and Ellen VanKammen, vocally expressed the need to act quickly before another organization teamed with the Rotary. Others expressed concerns with the front-end financial outlay ($500.00 which was half of the Club treasury), increased demands on member time, lack of experience with an operation of this sort, conflict with Monday and Thursday shoot nights, change from the Club's traditional "sportsman / shooting type" fund raising programs, and possible debt if the venture failed. But, the income could provide the extra funds for land expansion and projects that had been beyond the Club's means up to this time. Gradually, more members came to see the project, and its risk, as a step for the Club's future. In March, 1974, the Club applied for a Bingo license with the Comstock Park Rotary as co-license holder. On Wednesday night, April 24, 1974, the Rockford Sportsman's Club hosted their first Bingo. The Bingo fund raiser has been a part of the Club program ever since. By June,1974, the Bingo project showed a profit of $490.60 after all bills, equipment costs, and prizes had been paid. Part of this money was used to send five youngsters (the most the Club had ever sponsored in one year) to MUCC camp. Also, a land acquisition fund was established.

By November, 1978, three parcels of land to the south of the original Club grounds had been purchased on land contracts and were paid off. These, along with an earlier purchase of driveway access in 1967, expanded the Club land to thirty-one acres. In 1975, the original trapfield (present Field #1) was improved with a cement house, yardage walkways, and a new (the Club's first) hand-set electric target thrower. The driveway was graded, parking lot leveled, and fifty-yard range excavated in 1976. Modern, high intensity lights were installed on the trap field in 1978. Plans were made to build a second, more up-to-date, regulation trap field complete with automatic target thrower. On the whole, the Club was headed toward better times. This direction was not without its "growing pains".

The members of the seventies were, then as now, a diverse group. Energetic new members, established regulars with a sense of the Club's past and traditions, and emerging leaders all had distinct points of view on Club priorities and programs. Some saw the Club as a social gathering place. Many newer members had visions of expanded and relocated shooting facilities. Others held for increased participation in conservation/environmental organizations and projects. At meetings, tempers flared and debate became passionate over where to spend Bingo profits. Member work contributions at Bingo, shoots, fundraisers, projects, and work days were a constant topic of discussion. Leadership was not easy in these conditions. One president resigned in mid-term in protest to the factions and hardening of opinions. Other members left to join other clubs more in keeping with their interests and activities. Yet, in spite of the problems, the Club went on.
The Club Hunter Safety Program expanded in the seventies with members Wendall Briggs, Barney "Barnyard" Kolasa, Bob Wilkinson, and George and Arlene Laitila serving as volunteer instructors. The "watch" on the Rogue River was continued by maintaining and emptying trash barrels at public access sites. Members also contributed labor to construct the parking lot on Twelve Mile Road between the Summit Avenue Bridge and Northland Drive. The traditional Buck Fever Raffle, Sight-in Days, Turkey Shoot, Rabbit Hunt, Spring Trap Shoot, Beef Raffle, and Pig Roast were parts of the Club program and generally were successful events. Tracks magazines were first donated to area schools beginning in the late seventies. Entering the 1980's, the Club could look back on the success of the Bingo project, the continuation and building of established programs, and more involvement in local and state wide conservation issues. The eighties began on a sad note with the untimely passing of member Don Warren, an active bingo worker, past president, trustee, and treasurer.

Membership participation in bingo, shoots, and projects were key issues. The Club, again, was faced with priorities. Bingo workers, rightfully, pointed to the income this event generated and wanted Club improvments done. Shooters continued to generate more income and worked to improve and expand this Club program. Trapfield Number Two (known as the "New Field" to older members) was largely completed by December, 1980. This field was equipped with high-intensity lights and a fully automatic Winchester trap. Plans included enough room to build regulation 27 yard walkways. Now, it is the most used trap field during shoots and events. Trap field #1 continued to be used during the Spring Shoots and special events. Due to the unsafe height of the earth backstop on the original 100 yard range (located along the south side of Trap Field #1), the present 100 and 200 yard range was excavated in 1981. Also, this year saw the remodeling of the main room with wood paneling. George Laitila was instrumental in designing the rifle range, and Charley Dells contributed his woodworking skills to the remodeling. For their efforts and leadership on these projects, members Tom Smith and Terry Stuart received the "Sparkplug Award. With a new look to the main meeting room, the old kitchen was next on the renovation list. Begun in July, 1982, redoing this part of the building was a large undertaking. New walls were constructed to enclose the rear storgage areas, and the roof line had to be extended over these areas. The old kitchen cabinets, sinks, and countertops were then removed and a new kitchen layout designed and installed. From start to finish the project took almost two years using member volunteers for most of the labor. Member Kim Quist was the project coordinator. The covered patio structure was "raised" in a weekend work-bee in Septetember, 1984, and the cement patio poured the following year.

At theOctober, 1986, membership meeting, the membership passed a motion to construct a skeet field. "Duffy" Duffield volunteered to be project coordinator, and, again, member volunteers provided the labor. Ground breaking and excavation began the next spring, and, in spite of small work crews at many work parties, the skeet field was finally completed by the summer of 1989. Many members recall the tireless effors of Duffy to not only pursuade members to help, but to patiently instruct workers, unskilled in the trades, in proper construction methods. Sadly, Duffy passed away before final completetion of his last project for the Club. His years of dedicated Club work will be long remembered. The skeet field brought many new shooters to the Club with over 120 shooters registered for the next Spring Shoot.

Conservation involvement continued along with Club building projects. Wendall Briggs was elected President of the MUCC in June, 1984, and, locally, the Club contributed funds to maintain public access sites on the Flat River and Silver Lake. The walk-on access on Silver Lake is in place largely through the efforts of the Rockford Sportsman's Club. The Club established the Bob Bond Memorial Scholarship Fund in May, 1987, in memory of long time member Bob Bond who passed away in July, 1986. Bob was very active in Club activities, MUCC affairs and other conservation projects. The Scholarship Fund awards annual scholarships to students attending college with an intent to go into conservation work. The Club started its annual Arbor Day "tree give away" project. In 1984, Van's Pines of West Olive began making available surplus tree and shrub stock to the MUCC. The Club has distributed ,over the years, thousands of trees free of charge to the general public, scouting organizations, and schools. Members Wendall Briggs, Donna Briggs, Bob Bond and Hazel Bond were instrumental in starting this project. In July, 1989, the MUCC District Five Shoot was held for the first time at the Club. Because of the number of shooters and having only one skeet field, the District Shoot was made into a two day shoot with outstanding success. District Five returned the Shoot to Rockford the next year.

The nineties began with a major change in the Bingo fundraiser. Because of unsatisfactory conditions at Westgate, the decision was made to move the game to Northtown Bingo Hall on Plainfield Avenue. This also meant the Bingo had to be run every week and a severing of our relationship with the Comstock Park Rotary. The change was made, but the available Monday night was not desirable. To increase revenues and worker participation, the Bingo was moved again in 1992 to its present Friday night at River City Hall. With the passing of Ray Allen in 1994, the Club lost one of its most dedicated Bingo workers.

The first Bob Bond Scholarship was awarded in 1990 and has been given every year to the present. The scholarship amount was increased and expanded to two recipients in 1993. In March, 1991, the Club "adopted" the mile of Northland Drive between Thirteen and Fourteen Mile Roads as their part of the Kent County "Adopt a Highway" clean-up program. This annual project continues to be a part of the Club program. 1991 saw the sudden passing of Mike Luczyk, past president, enthusiastic Hunter Eduation instructor, and willing worker. The future of the Cannonsburg State Game Area as a place to hunt was addressed by Club members at meetings of the Cannon Township Planning Commission in October and November of 1992. Our Club, along with Tri-town Conservation Club and Kent Conservation League, expressed their dismay over proposed building projects and zoning on the borders of the Game Area. These projects would have so severely limited use, that the DNR could seriously considering selling the entire Game Area. The maintenance and improvement of rabbit and wildlife habitat on the Club grounds was made an ongoing Club project in April, 1993. Toward that end, brush piles and shrub plantings were established and continue to be addressed as areas of concern.

Two Long Range Planning Studies showed member awareness of the future. The Northland Drive site continues to acquire "new neighbors", and limited acerage make large scale changes in shooting and club facilities difficult. Clear direction is needed in making decisions for our next years. Present state law guarantees continued shooting as the facilities are presently located. Yet, the number of members is increasing and building and parking space pressures mount. Some see another "crisis" in the near future for our Club. Elected leadership, chairpersons, and committees can give their time and best advice. But, the whole is always greater than the sum of its individual parts. The years have shown how the Club got through difficult times, and then went on to be a better club than before. The contributions, great or small, of the members have been, and will continue to be, the mainstay of the Club.

ROCKFORD SPORTSMAN'S CLUB PRESIDENTS

1945 Marvin Marcott
1946 Marvin Marcott
1947 Ed Fisher
1948 Dick Soloman
1949 Art Cliff
1950 Otis VanDriel
1951 Don Richmond
1952 (Clifford) Jerry Teasdale
1953 Orval Utter / Jerry Teasdale
1954 W.A. Young
1955 (W.A. Young)
1956 (W.A. Young)
1957 W.A. Young
1958 Ed Fisher
1959 Bob Wilkinson
1960 Bob Wilkinson
1961 Bob Wilkinson
1962 Evertt Plambeck
1963 Leigh Bloomfield
1964 Luther Duffield
1965 Wendall Briggs
1966 Luther Duffield
1967 Luther Duffield
1968 Otis VanDriel
1969 Ken Rule
1970 Ken Rule
1971 Ken Rule
1972 George Laitila
1973 George Laitila
1974 Luther Duffield
1975 Joe Ruskey
1976 Wendall Briggs
1977 Don Warren
1978 Don Warren
1979 Larry Dells / Wendall Briggs
1980 Wendall Briggs
1981 Wendall Briggs
1982 Terry Stuart
1983 Wendall Briggs
1984 Wendall Briggs
1985 Terry Stuart
1986 George Laitila
1987 Mike Luczyk
1988 Mike Luczyk
1989 Kim Quist
1990 Tom Harrington
1991 Tom Harrington / Gordon Pickerd
1992 Dan Berry
1993 Dan Berry
1994 Terry Stuart
1995 Terry Stuart
1996 Tom Smith
1997 Tom Smith
1998 Terry Stuart
1999 Marc McCallister
2000 Marc McCallister
2001 Marc McCallister
2002 Bob Matthews
2003 Bob Matthews
(Revised: June,2003 by T.D. Smith)