LATVIAN HUNTERS & ANGLERS
HAMILTON
HISTORY
1953 - In the Beginning
On November 8, 1953, the first recorded meeting took place with the participation of the following men: Janis Bramanis, J. Brakmanis, Alberts Pols, M. Licitis and J. Bergis. They agree to ask the Toronto club to admit them into their club as a chapter.
The next larger meeting occured on January 22, 1954, at which Janis Bramanis is elected as Chairman, Alberts Pols as Secretary, Martins Zitmanis as Treasurer, and A. Aditajs and J. Brakmanis as the Review Committee. At this meeting participants also include A. Brencis, A. Niedra, Arvids. Bernsteins, P. Levins and F. Erdmanis.
1954 - First Events
The first event, "Salc zalais mezs (The Green Forest Stirs)" occurs in March 1954 with the participation of opera singer A. Niedra, artist M. Zemits and composer J. Saks. 256 tickets are sold for a net profit of $277.00.
Janis Bramanis decided to relocate, in May 1954 Martins Jakovics takes over in the role of Chairman. In June 1954, at the general meeting, Alberts Pols is elected Chairman,
E. Smits-Kalejs as Secretary and Martins Zitmanis as Treasurer. The club had 26 members in 1954, and in August decided to separate from the Toronto club, becoming the Latvian Hunter and Angler Club in Hamilton and accepting both men and women as members.
1954 - Champions without a club
The first shooting championship occurred in September 1954 at the Federovs homestead in Orangeville, where the Hamilton club beat Toronto with 32 out of 40 points. Individually, Zigurds Jakovics won second place with 17 out of 20 points. The entrance fee was $2.00 per group of four shooters, each shooting 10 pigeons. The club provided group shooters with shells.
In 1955, a competition was held at the Perkons homestead, where for the first time the club travelling trophy was won by K. Zvejnieks ,while L. Zeltins and Alberts Pols received angling trophies.
The 1956 Board is elected: Chairman E. Smits-Kalejs, Vice Chairman Alberts Pols, Secretary Z. Upitis, Treasurer Martins Jakovics.
Since the Perkons homestead no longer allowed trap shooting, because a cow was supposedly shot, shooting was organized at a Lake Meed property, where each car must pay a 50-cent parking fee. Afterward shooting is moved to the clay hills.
In 1959, Martins Jakovics offers the club a piece of his land to use near Hagersville and the club got a new trap machine. The first Turkey Shoot occurred in April 1959.
1959 through the 60's - Building of a Club
In March 1960, Z. Lapukis reports he has identified a piece of land on the shore of the Grand River. After 15 members evaluated the site, a general meeting is called with 29 members, who agree unanimously to buy the property in May 1960.
On June 25, 1960, 12.9 acres are registered in the name "Latvian Hunters & Anglers club Hamilton" with trustees E. Smits-Kalejs, Romis Mierkalns and Z. Upite. In August, the club receives the "Deed of Land" for the approximately 300 metres of riverfront property located at Highway 54 on the left bank of the Grand River between York and Cayuga in Seneca Township. In Haldimand County the address is: 5 Grandsport Rd, about 25 miles from Hamilton. The property cost $1,100.00 and together with surveying, grading and range construction totaled $1,870.00.
A Board motion decided that each male member must work 8 hours, or pay a $5.00 penalty into the treasury for property development. Z. Lapukis agreed to manage worker registration. The following property names are proposed: Jautrais ods (Jovial Mosquito), Arkadija (Arcadia), Rundale, Upmaji (Riverside), Paradize (Paradise) and Lielupe, which was approved.
32 members and one non-member (one penalty paid) work 466 hours in property maintenance. Two invitations to participate in additional grooming are sent, but only two members respond to the first, A. Purmalis and Z. Kurmitis, and five to the second. In exasperation Chairman E. Smits-Kalejs notes that if members have such little interest in the club property, then there is no reason to even consider building a clubhouse.
The first internal pigeon-shooting competition occurred in July 1961, and the external competition in August. On the same day, three club members, Alberts Pols, E. Ozols and I. Bergis drown in Lake Erie. Mrs. Pols is rescued.
In 1963, a clubhouse is proposed for about $5,500.00 quoted by the Holiday company. The club Board requests that members cover this cost with an interest-free loan of at least $110.00 each to be re-paid in the next 8 years. Since a number of members do not want to loan the funds, the general meeting agrees to allow the Board to apply for a loan which at the current market rate is 7 % against those members that do not loan any funds, about $8.00 fees in the first year. Members who want to loan funds can contact the club Chairman, E.Smits-Kalejs.
Construction on the clubhouse began on September 4th. On September 20th the building is constructed. By May 1964, the interior and electrical is complete. On May 9, the well is dug. Then the clubhouse dedication was planned. A Ladies' Auxiliary Committee was called and elected Zigrida Mierkalns as the Chairperson who will organize the clubhouse dedication feast with the assistance of other ladies who will volunteer in the preparation. The clubhouse dedication is planned for July 25, 1964, at 6:00pm after a shooting competition. Toronto and St. Catherine's club representatives as well as government representatives from Seneca Township are invited to the clubhouse dedication. For other participants it cost $5.00 for men and $3.00 for women. The clubhouse was blessed by Reverend E. Pavasars. Chairman E. Smits-Kalejs finished his speech with the following words: "Our clubhouse is built on a foundation of friendship and harmony, it is strong. Let friendship and harmony carry forward with our neighbours and other organizations."
The 1970's - Growth
In 1972, the club acquired a tractor-mower and built a garage to house it for $220.00.
In 1973, a fireplace is added to the clubhouse for $937.00. Since the first chimney was smoky, it was rebuilt.
In 1979, a fish smoker was built from cinder blocks.
In 1985, the club acquired a second trap machine and built a second concrete trap house.
In 1987, a veranda is added to the clubhouse with funds from member donations.
Over the years, the club has participated in Toronto, St. Catherine's, Kalamazoo and Long Island Latvian competitions as well as Daugavas Vanagu Sport Association, Baltic and Canada shoots. The club property has been used by Scouts, Guides, congregation members and pensioners.
Club income is from membership fees, leftover profit from competitions and donations from well-wishers. Expenses: Property tax, electricity and Lielupe maintenance.
The first club initiation fee was $1.00 with an annual membership fee of $3.00. Then the initiation fee was $15.00 with an annual membership fee of $50.00 to get insurance from the OFAH. From 2012, all members must also belong to the OFAH, so as a result we have many members who have not renewed membership. We have negotiated that these individuals can be included as "Insured Club Supporters" for $5.00 per year. They do not have voting rights or discounts and do not receive the newsletter, but once they leave the club they cannot rejoin for $5.00, so with time these members are dwindling. Other members must pay $35.00, $37.00 in 2014.
Club chairmen have been: J. Bramanis 4 months
M. Jakovics 3 weeks
A. Pols 21months
M. Zitmanis 13 months
Z. Upite 12 months
E. Smits-Kalejs 16 years
R. Mierkalns 42 Years (1973 to 2015)
A. Makarewicz 2016 to Present
Romis Mierkalns was Board Chairman for 42 years, plus 14 years as Treasurer, and one year as Membership Coordinator and Purser. He has volunteered his time to the club for 55 years.
Among club founders, no one remains with us. The longest-standing and oldest member is Zigurds Kurmitis, since April 1956, as well as Romis Mierkalns, from the same date. Then Richards Zilgme since 1958; and Valentins Krauklis, who left the club in 2006, but returned in 2009.
Zigirda Mierkalns has compiled shooting results since 1960, and joined the club in 1961. The rest of the members joined in later years. Today there are 43 members.
Since then the club has purchased an automatic Trap machine: “Emily” with funds donated by Emily Krunkis. This machine was installed in June of 2014.
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The 1980's & 90's -
In 1981, the number of club members reached its peak to date of 166 members.
The same year the club bought and constructed a shed to house the mowing tractor. With the continued growth a new trap machine 1985 was purchased for the 2nd trap hut. During the 1980's a large Veranda was added to the club house enabling spectators to enjoy the tournaments.
Today
The Club continues to have weekly Tuesday evening shoots and switch to Saturday mornings when the daylight affects the evenings.
In 2016 a stacker was purchased for use with the existing trap machine in the 2nd hut. A number of fun and competition shoots were held throughout the summer culminating with the Baltic shoot in September. The club had 55 members in 2016.
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