Submitted Photo Westfield Fish and Game received “Club of the Year” honors at the recently held 2024 Harry Probst Annual Memorial Sportsmen’s banquet.

Presiding in his usual gracious and humble manner, Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen President Zen Olow brought the 2024 Harry Probst Annual Memorial Sportsmen’s Banquet to order with the pledge of allegiance at 6 p.m. at the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club. The banquet room was filled with members of several local conservation and sportsman clubs, as well as legislative leaders from numerous levels of government. Among attendees were state Sen. George Borello, Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel, Christine Rinaldi of Congressman Nick Langworthy’s office, and several current and retired Region 9 NYSDEC Fish and Wildlife staff.

The annual event is a significant moment to celebrate the local outdoors conservation community of sportsmen and honor individuals who selflessly volunteer their services to benefit the conservation and youth outdoors. The Chautauqua County of Federation recognition awards, a symbol of our deep appreciation, were presented to the following: President’s Award, Hanover Rod and Gun Club; Sportsman of the Year Award, Larry Dorler; Federation Person of the Year, John D’Agostino; Club of the Year, Westfield Fish and Game Club; Public Servant Award, Jerry Kinney; Public service Award (retired), Don Einhouse. In accepting the club of the year award for Westfield Rod and Gun, the club was also presented with individual recognition certificates from Borrello, Langworthy, Wendel, and Goodell.

Additional club awards within the membership umbrella of Conservation Clubs in the Chautauqua Federation were also presented. Bill Stelmach from the Hanover Rod and Gun Club, Mike Delmus from Westfield Fish and Game Club, and Tom Pineagro from Falconer Rod and Gun Club received recognition awards.

The surprise award recipient of the year was D’Agostino, editor of the Jamestown Post-Journal, Times Observer (Warren, Pa.), and Dunkirk OBSERVER. Olow said, “This man is one of the few newspapermen in the changing world of our time that has shared the outdoors participation of young and old for print and communication, and we at the Chautauqua Federation of Sportsmen truly appreciate the outdoor coverage.”

In recent years, the primary focus for many conservation groups of the Chautauqua Federation has been to introduce more youth to discover the fun of the outdoors through fishing, hunting, trapping, recreational shooting, camping and related outdoor fields. This initiative, aimed at shaping the future of outdoor conservation, has been a resounding success. A quote from the web page of the Westfield Fish and Game Club encapsulates the spirit of our efforts: “Taking one kid hunting isn’t gonna change the world…But it’ll change the world for one kid.” This sentiment echoes the sentiments of many Chautauqua Federation of Sportsman clubs.

The banquet was held on April 29, and the night ended at 8 p.m.

Outdoors Calendar:

May 3-12: Lake Ontario Spring Trout/Salmon/Walleye derby, visit www.loc.org.

May 11: Fly Fishing 101, 9AM-11AM, Orvis Buffalo, Free, gear provided, 4545 Transit Rd., Williamsville. Call 276-7200 to reserve a spot.

May 11: Hunting Heritage Banquet, Springville Strutters Chapter of the National Wild Turkey federation, St. Aloysius Church hall, 186 Franklin St., Springville, 5PM start, Info: 592-2388 (Jim Gamel).

NOTE: Submit Calendar items to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.