The Lee Sportsman’s Club proved to be a beautiful setting for the Southern Berkshire Chapter of the Nation Wild Turkey Federations’ Women in the Outdoors event, held at the club on September 24th.
Twenty women, all over the age of 14, gathered from throughout the tri-state region of MA, NY and CT to learn how to shoot, rope, paddle & cook as part of the NWTF Women in the Outdoors Event.
“Fun was had by all†stated one of the three key program organizers, Dawn Goodrich of Lee, MA, who was joined in organizing the event by Mary Smith of Lee, and Laurie Lee Sawin of Otis.
Women were introduced to a number of interesting activities, including the safe handling of pistols, shotguns, rifles, muzzleloaders and archery equipment. Individuals learned from qualified instructors how to shoot moving clay targets with a shotgun (women had the opportunity to experience both Skeet & Trap shooting). They also learned how to hit the bulls-eye with a rifle, pistol or bow and arrow, and how to load, shoot and care for a variety of muzzle loading firearm.
The hands on archery presentation by Patsy Leader, owner of Shooters Highland in Valatie, NY allowed them to experience the use of compound bows as well as traditional archery equipment. They received instruction on the selection and safe use of archery equipment and its application in both target shooting as well as hunting situations.
Kayak instruction was presented by PJ Hunt, manager of the Expeditions Outdoor Sports Store in Great Barrington. The women had the opportunity to paddle a variety of kayaks while learning the basic of kayaking in flat water.
Additional programs were presented in tree-stand basics, turkey calling, stamping, cowboy roping and outdoor cooking. Outdoor cooking featured an interesting presentation titled: Trashcan Turkey. Here the women learned to cook a whole turkey outdoors using a metal trashcan. The trashcan was in essence converted into a convection oven by piling hot coals around the trash cans edge. In about one hour and twenty minutes a whole 15 pound turkey was perfectly cooked and ready to eat.
The program achieved the following goals in many ways. All the women in attendance said they had fun while learning how to handle firearms safely. They also learned the importance of responsible wildlife management. Programs like this convince women that they can truly enjoy the outdoors. These women specific events have also proven to increase women’s comfort level and participation in outdoor related pursuits, a key goal of the program.
The NWTF developed The Women in the Outdoors program to increase women’s participation in outdoor activities, and it has proven to also serve as a networking activity that brings men and women with similar outdoor interests together. Women interested in the program can get more information from their local NWTF chapter. Chapter information can be found on the www.NWTF.org web site. Or contact one of the organizers whose information is shown below.
For more information on future Women in the Outdoors Events please contact:
Dawn Goodrich at 413-243-6145 thegoodrichs@earthlink.net
Mary Smith at 413-243-2710 Ssmith570@adelphia.net
Or Laurie Lee Sawin at 413-269-0226 Darrylldee@gillanet.net
Or visit the NWTF website at www.NWTF.org
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Dalton Announces New Supplier for Energy Program
DALTON, Mass. – The Town of Dalton has signed a thirty-four month contract with a new supplier, First Point Power.
Beginning with the January 2026 meter reads, the Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.13042 per kWh. The Program will also continue to offer an optional 100 percent green product, which is derived from National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), at a rate of $0.13142 per kWh.
For Dalton residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town's Program, the current rate of $0.13849 per kWh will expire with the January 2026 meter reads and the new rate of $0.13042 per kWh will take effect. This represents a decrease of $5 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. Additionally, this new rate is 3 percent lower than Eversource's Residential Basic Service rate of $0.13493 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an
average savings of $3 per month for the month of January 2026. Eversource's Basic Service rates
will change on Feb. 1, 2026.
Dalton launched its electricity program in January 2015 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From inception through June 2025, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $1.7 million in electricity costs as compared to Eversource Basic Service.
It is important to note that no action is required by current participants. This change will be seen on the February 2026 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product offering and see the new rate and First Point Power printed under the "Supplier Services" section of their monthly bill.
The Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
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