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HISTORY UPDATE
After reviewing our History with older member Leo Cormier who joined the Club in 1950 it is believed that the club was actually founded in 1950,and organized in 1952.
Early in the 1990’s the members voted to log the now existing Club & Puppy areas.
The year after the logging operation the club planted approximately 2000 trees
During 2004 the New Area Parking lot was expanded.
During 2004 – 2005 the old pallet trails in the Puppy and Club areas were replaced with Poles & Hemlock Boards in hopes this would last longer.
In 2004 the Maine Clubs were no longer allowed to purchase rabbits from Canada as was done for many years. This created the need for the Club to become more active in raising rabbits to preserve our existence.
Early this same year the club organized a Rabbit Replenishment committee, John Waldron, Andy Parks & Neal Smith volunteered to build breeding pens at their homes.
During the first year they raised about 30 rabbits.
Each year, thanks to John Waldron along with others rabbits are trapped and released into the running areas.
In 2005 it was voted on that the club would aggressively work on placing new fence in all areas. The New area was in the greatest need of our attention so we started there, in 2006 we were able to have new fence in about ½ of this area.
In 2005 members completed the holding pen in the Puppy Area for raised rabbits to allow stocking of the Puppy & Club areas. Cinder blocks were placed in each areas fence allowing the rabbits to come and go as they wished. Video shots were taken and it was confirmed.
In September 2005 Club members voted to once again to log in the Club Area.
Income from the project was $22,500.00.
The logging operation was decided upon for major reasons.
Income was need to complete the fencing in all areas with vinyl fencing
Habitat projects along with Club upgrades
March 2006 members approved to replace the roof on the screen house with a metal roof; member Larry Leblanc completed the project.
Planting project for increased cover for existing rabbits was approved by the membership in 2006.
On EARTH DAY April 22,2006 500 Norway spruce were planted by 13 members in the area around the “RED” chair
In April 2006 members approved the Road to the Puppy Area be repaired for better access by members. Road was completed in May of 2006
During the summer of 2006 Dwight Raab & Mike Ricker headed up the cutting and splitting of cord wood for the club to sell as a means of income, it was sold at $175.00 per cord to Club members. This wood was saved from the cut in 2005 and resulted in approximately $2,268.00 profit to the club.
In September 0f 2006 the membership approved the pay off the New Area Land saving the club over $2,000.00 in interest.
September 2006 club member Kevin Brenier improved the area between (removed stumps, rocks etc.) the clubhouse and the Puppy Area road allowing better access for members and people attending our trials.
Also club member Larry Leblanc installed the three new doors in memory of club member Sam Dumais
In October 2006 club members voted to accept a five year lease ($150.00 per month rent) with the Springvale Fish & Game allowing them to use our clubhouse facility for their meetings.
In October of 2006 an article written in the Maine Sportsman (“Rabbit Trapping Free For All”) caused the State Of Maine Warden Services to stop issuing club Rabbit Trapping Permits for 2007 until proper Legislation was in place.
A Legislation bill was presented through a committee formed on behalf of the Maine Beagle Clubs.
In December of 2006 long time club members Annie Johnson (Sandra Barcombs’ Mother) and Tom Sharp were inducted into the Large Pack Hall Of Fame.
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