SCMRA Secretary

Western Canada has a new Swiss Consul General – Thomas Schneider. Many thanks to Thomas for sponsoring the 2024 cup and providing some Swiss wine for 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes.

Consul General Thomas Schneider, right of President Rene Zollinger, presenting the cup and prizes to Bob Best 1st prize, Markus Spycher, 2nd prize, Daniel Meier 3rd prize

Rene Zollinger, left, with High Score, and Allan Ng, same number of points

a Graubünden menu – Capuns for dinner and a labour of love by Cecilia Decurtins

Cecilia’s friend Shirley helping out with cooking.

It is all about precision

Grande Finale – Graubünden style walnut torte from the Decurtin Bakery of course.

On August 25th we celebrated the 60th year of the SCMRA. Many thanks to our Founders who put this society on sure footing. R. Ernst presented a chronological summary of how our club started and got to where we are today. Special mention was made to E. Hiestand for seizing the opportunity to start a Swiss rifle club in 1964 when the opportunity presented itself in 1963 from the Swiss Consul General Charles Kilchenmann who made available an offer from the Military Department of the Swiss Government to all Swiss groups outside of Switzerland.

To reflect on times past, we held a special shoot on this day.

Only K31 carbine with full open sights could be used – No Diopter permitted. A100 target, 10 shots with 4 single shots and then 2 x 3 shots series without showing.

This was done to honour the Lucky Buck shoot (which was held on August 29, 1965 Official Opening) we had similar payouts. 100 value would pay out $25, 99 points would pay $20, 98 points would pay $15, 97 points would pay $10, and 96 points would pay $5.

Then there were prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 13th place.

Father and Son Spectators at the 300 meter. Markus and Hans Schwegler.

Appetizer preparation by Geoffrey Chang, Matias Rotzetter, Patrick Casanova

Kitchen Captain, Paul Shipton with helpers Geoffrey Chang and James Löffler

BBQ Steak Chef, Roger Grover

8 Kirsch Torte made by Cecilia Decurtins

Lizze Gould, First Place; Daniel Meier, Second Place, Jim Paton, Third Place

Organized and sponsored by Doug and Colette Knight. Its purpose to to honour members, past and present whose work and dedication has ensured the success of the club.

This years event was to honour Fritz Hodel and Walter Bürki.

Fritz Hodel was represented by his son Hans Hodel and his daughters Margrit Garzitto and Doris Franczek.

Walter Bürki was represented by his daughter Christine Wiebe and his granddaughter Tracey.

The shooting program was 10 shots at 300m with the K31 carbine rested and 6 shots with the crossbow rested.

A great lunch by Thomas Amgwerd and Cecilia Decurtins

Markus Spycher commemorating the Honoree, Walter Bürki and dressed in a festive costume representing various cantons and sewn by the crossbow ladies.

Markus Spycher commemorating the Honoree Fritz Hodel and saluting with a ‘Cheers to Fritz’

Enjoying the preparation of appetizers

Hans Hodel, son of Honoree Fritz Hodel, and Jason Zheng, 1st place and Cup Winner

Rene Zollinger, 2nd Place winner

Roger Grover, 3rd Place winner

Sharon Canton, bottle draw winner

Thomas Amgwerd. bottle draw winner

Winners of the cutlery set draw (sets donated by Christine Wiebe, daughter of Walter Bürki) Melody Plaine, Will Bodnaris and Rich Michals

Anna Paton, bottle draw winner with Lucie Garzitto, Fritz Hodel’s great granddaughter

Anthony Orlandi bottle draw winner.

Ben Chabbert, Whiskey draw winner

One of three main dinner courses, steak, chicken and salmon