The October meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM at the Torrington Elks Club by President Jim Fedorich.  Fifteen people were in attendance. 

The Secretary’s Report for June was read by Secretary Bob Hart and was accepted as read.

The Treasurer’s Report was given by Evan Williams. There is currently $1669.61 in our checkbook, of which $250 is tagged for the TIC program.  The treasurer’s report was accepted as read.

Jim gave a recap of the summer’s activities:

• “Women Gone Wild” event held on June 25^th at the Harwinton Rod and Gun Club was a huge success.  Our members held fly casting instructions and fly tying demonstrations for the participants.  Our activities were well received and we have been invited back to next year’s function.
• The New England TU Regional Meeting was held on July 29^th at the Wittemore Picnic site on the Farmington River.  Our club provided hot dogs and hamburgers for the approximately 75 attendees.
• Our annual picnic was held on September 10^th at the Matthies Grove picnic site on the Farmington River.  This was a joint function with the Farmington TU Chapter and over 80 people were present.  We helped in with the food and there was a slide presentation and casting instruction given by Orvis.

Bob Hart read an acknowledgement for our donation to the Sessions Woods Hunting and Fishing Day.

Two items were brought up from TU National.  The first was a statement that they did not want any local chapters stocking trout in any stream where there were native trout.  The second was a reminder the annual financial report was due – Jim and Evan Williams will work on this.

A couple of personnel changes within the club:

• Dave Paavola is moving out of state and has passed on the duties of  Webmaster to Mike Alciati.  Our thanks to Dave for all his hard work for our club and setting up and maintaining a top rate website.
• Bob Hart will be assuming the additional duties of Communications Chairman.

Dick Heffernon gave us an update on TIC (Trout in the Classroom).  We are currently supporting three schools: Washington Montessouri, Rumsey Hall and Hotchkiss School in Lakeville.  Dick mentioned we need to purchase some fish food and charcoal.  We currently have $250 in our treasury for this with a promise of up to an additional $1000 from the Northwest Sports Council providing we supply them with receipts.

We held the drawing for our summer fundraising raffle.  The winners were:

• Dave Paavola – First Place – shotgun
• Bill Ritchie – Second Place – Framed Color Print of the Naugatuck River
• Wayne Ritchie – Third Place – Framed Print of the Naugatuck River

The program for tonight’s meeting was a presentation by our very own Dr. Bill Vincent, Clinical Microbiologist, speaking on “All You Wanted to Know  About Influenza But Were Afraid to Ask”.  As always, Dr. Bill was informative and entertaining while giving us the facts on the very serious subject of what Influenza is, why it is so dangerous and what can be done about it.  The bottom line is he strongly recommends everyone get their flu shots to prevent or minimize the effects of Influenza.

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM,

Our next monthly meeting will be held on November 1^st at the Torrington Elks Club in Torrington, Connecticut at 7:30 PM.  The program for the evening will be election of officers and some fishing videos.  Hope to see you there.

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Hart

Secretary, NW CT Chapter of Trout Unlimited