NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April, 2005

On Monday, April 4, 2005, at the Paramus Elks Lodge in Paramus, New Jersey, the Bergen Bowmen, Inc. celebrated in fine fashion the Silver Anniversary of their Annual Venison Dinner with venison cooked 8 different ways, and table upon table of raffle items, amongst family, friends and prominent people from the wildlife conservation community. From special Bergen Bowmen 25^th Annual Venison Dinner etched beer mugs to deer feeders to a NWTF print to 100 qt. coolers, there was something for everyone. Many of the items were donated from local sporting goods stores like Ramsey Outdoors, Frank’s Tackle, The County Sportsman, and Bates Paterson Rod & Gun.  Many more items were donated from close to 50 different archery and hunting corporations from across the country. Special raffles included a fully equipped bow donated by Sig Borstad of Sig Borstad Archery and Hunting Supply, a deer shoulder mounting from Neves Taxidermy, Inc. and a duck from Goffle Road Poultry Farm for the club’s famous 50/50 Duck Sh-t (no the duck did not get harmed, but he did not do his job that night either and a number had to be pulled out of a bucket).

Every year the Bergen Bowmen dedicate their dinner to someone, this year the dinner was dedicated to all who serve and all who have served our great country protecting and providing our freedom.

Unlike many other game dinners, this organization actually donates the deer, butchers it and prepares the food within the club. Over the years the number of members donating deer has depended on the total number of deer needed for the dinner. This year’s deer donations came from Joe Shastay (4), Joe Mills (3), Ron Bator (3), Randy Mania (1), Heinz Honnetter (1) and Chris Caliciotti (1). The Bergen County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs also donate to the Bergen Bowmen unusable cuts of venison from their dinner (scraps) which we do not mind as  they and the Bowmen hate to see waste. Bergen Bowmen honorary life member Guy Cisternino, a certified butcher, has processed the deer for the club for many years now and has donated his service willingly, time and again. On the Sunday before the dinner this year, 27 Bergen Bowmen members got together and put in a total of 157 man hours to chop, diced and cooked several hundred pounds of food to feed 250 people planning on attending the dinner. The actually dinner night would bring the man hours close to 300 hours or better.

The Bergen Bowmen have come a long way since the first dinner held on April 14, 1980 at D’Elias Restaurant in Teaneck, New Jersey. The dinner committee at the time consisted of three members, two of which are still members and one who tragically passed away en route to go hunting in the fall of that year. The limit was 60 people that first year with 51people showing, so from humble beginnings the dinner grew to the affair it has become.

The dinner was well attended with several notable people attending including Congressman Scott Garret, Republican candidate for Governor, Bret Schundler, Director of NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Marty McHugh, Fish and Game Councilwoman Jeanette Vreeland, NJSFSC Board of Directors Chairman Frank Dara, National Wild Turkey Federation Regional Director Chris Karinja, NJ Chapter of the NWTF President Scott Hill, United Bowhunters of NJ President Jack Spoto, Bergen County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs President Phil Romano, NJ Trappers Association Vice President Jim DeStephano, and Hunt of a Lifetime Committee member Gary Tolve.

At the dinner at special raffle was done for Hunt of a Lifetime. Hunt of a Lifetime provides hunting or fishing adventures for children who have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness. The Bergen Bowmen are happy to have helped with this cause as many years ago we use to make a donation to Make a Wish, but stopped when they denied a child the wish to go on a hunt.

The Bergen Bowmen also offer awards that were presented at the dinner. Back in the late 1950 to 1980 period, as few would remember, bow hunting was in its infancy and deer were not that plentiful, the initial deer harvest award offered was a simple acknowledgement of taking a deer. But as the deer herd bloomed the award program expanded to include awards for Largest Rack, Heaviest Buck and Heaviest Doe. Both the Largest Rack and Heaviest Buck (#146) went to Dave Butler. The Heaviest Doe (#131) went to Joel Riotto.

The Bergen Bowmen also have a special award which over the years has only been awarded to four members. Called the Golden Bowmen Award, it is given in appreciation to a club member who has given many hours in planning and working on all the functions concerning the club. That member is a friend to all and an inspiration to many. The past recipients were Joe Clines, a founding member and treasurer for all but two years in which he served as president. Frank Kuhles, past president, membership chairman for many years and a person who worked diligently into his ripe old age of 88 years for his beloved Bergen Bowmen as well as BCFSC and UBNJ. Heinz Honnetter, current vice president, shoot and dinner chairman as well as having held other posts within the Bergen Bowmen over the past 25 years. Bruce Rapp, president at the time he received the award back in 2000 and is president still, has worked hard in every aspect of the club from working the shoots, to the range, the dinners, etc. Five years has passed since the Golden Bowmen was awarded and the Bergen Bowmen decided that another member became worthy of this honor. As the secretary for close to 10 of the 14 years as a member of the Bowmen as well as the Bulletin Editor for 5 years and recently as the organization’s webmaster among many other duties including helping with youth archery exhibits, Kathrine Surlak has played an important role in the functions concerning the Bowmen. She has even gone beyond the Bowmen to become involved in the NJSFSC and even seeking a seat on the NJ Fish and Game Council of which she is now awaiting the governor’s appointment to that post. The Bergen Bowmen felt that Kathrine Surlak deserved this high honor and was presented with this special award.

The night provided enjoyment for all. Amongst family and friends we ate well from the bounty provided through teamwork. Back in 1978, Bergen Bowmen past president and life member Joel Riotto said the following words which still ring true today, “There are many goals that we will obtain because of one valuable ingredient, people. Our club is made up of some of the finest most dedicated archers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. As long as our club is gifted with such enthusiastic members, it will succeed.” From humble beginnings back in 1953, the Bergen Bowmen have grown and prospered from six founding members to close to ninety.  For those who attended our dinner we thank you for coming and spending a night with us. It was truly a night to remember. For all who helped make this night special we thank you for your support of the Bergen Bowmen and helping us keep the sport of archery and bow hunting alive.

Anyone interest in learning more about the Bergen Bowmen can go to the web site at www.bergenbowmen.org, email them at bergenbowmen@aol.com or call 201-847-9133.