Valley Springs Sportsmans Club

65 Valley Road

​North Grosvenordale , CT 06255                               860-923-2121

Aug 2017 Clam Bake

June 2017 Kids Fishing Derby

TIME TO CELEBRATE SOME HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Perfect timing for Women’s History Month I would like to take this time to once again acknowledge and congratulate Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club’s  

                         

               FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT – KATHLEEN DEMERS !!!!!

                                                          

I would like to start by saying that as most of us know (or maybe not) since VSSC was established in 1949, it had always been a MALE MEMBERS only Club – we did not have ANY Female Members until  KIM (HOULE) BROOKS became our First Female Member in 1996….JUST 29 years ago.

We have come a long way in the past 29 years.  We currently have about 40+/- Female Members including six that have achieved Lifetime Membership.  

There are seven Females that currently hold positions on the Board of Directors or House Committee.   Let’s take a moment to Celebrate them as well: 

Kathleen Demers – President                               Kimberly Jeneczek – Financial Secretary

Kelley Genest  - Treasurer                                      Cathy Moulton – Hall Rentals

Deborah Gregoire – Secretary                              Catriona Shalvey – Kitchen

Gina Daniels – Historical


Now, lets learn a few things about our newly elected first female President…

I had asked Kathy a few questions and I would like to take this time to share her response.

Kathy grew up in Webster MA and moved to Thompson CT in the year 1991.

Some of Kathy’s favorite things are that she likes to camp and enjoys riding ATV’s and Side-by-Sides (SxS) She enjoys doing things with her husband (also past president…Dean) and family.  She likes to take long walks with Zoe (best dog ever…sorry, my opinion lol) and she likes spending time outdoors. Kathy likes to be in the White Mountains of NH and at the beach (wherever that may be).  She is happy hanging out with family and friends wherever that might be.

Kathy first visited VSSC for events in the hall, but her first real recollection was when her son used to have football practice here in our softball field.  Some of the members would cook hot dogs & hamburgers on a grill near the horseshoe barn.  It was great to not have to worry about dinner on those nights !!  Kathy said she would also go into the clubhouse for candy or chips and remembers Greg tending bar sometime around 2005. 

Some of the first members Kathy recalls meeting are Liam; he was one of the guys that used to cook for football and Greg….whom she has known since High School Days.


Some fond memories include her boys spending a lot of time with Liam as did Dean and Kathy.  She has many fond memories and stories….Greg was a close friend and still is…in fact he was a groomsman in our Wedding !

Kathy became involved with VSSC more as she became a Bartender in 2015.

Dean was already a member at that time so she was familiar with the Club.  Kathy also helped Dean out with events too.

Kathy became a member back in 2018.

When I asked Kathy WHAT made her take interest in being a part of VSSC she said The People first drew her in.  Football practices and then her son learning to shoot trap when Larry Doyle was in charge there.

There was always someone around that was kind and supportive.  Many times she was there without Dean and people were very welcoming.  Kathy said she wasn’t very good at trap (she tried…that is another story she says laughing).  The pond, the range, archery and Dean’s involvement made her want to be a part of the club.  After tending bar for a few years she decided she wanted to have a vote in how the club was run.

Since then, Kathy and her family have enjoyed shooting at the range and  still shooting trap from time to time.  Kathy enjoys watching everyone fish but hasn’t fished herself since her kids were young.  Kathy enjoyed some Ice time this year skating on the pond.  Kathy has played Cornhole here at the club and has shot the 3D archery course.

During Kathy’s time here at the club some highlights include:

Seeing the new range be built; which was a huge asset to the club.  

A generator has been installed for the entire area that will automatically come on if the power fails.  

The club has private shooting preserve distinction that benefits our members and allows Sunday shooting.  

A lean-to for equipment has been constructed

The pheasant pen was constructed and the old one (up on the hill) demolished.  

The gazebo was built in memory of Ray Faucher Sr.  AND…the Club survived Covid, is stll solvent and just celebrated 75 years in operation !

Kathy has held the position of Secretary for six years prior to being elected President.

Kathy has enjoyed being a part of the Board of Directors and keeping notes on all the meetings, so they are available for future generations.

Kathy said “we always had a great group that worked well together”.

She has had the pleasure of working with two bar managers and has held a position of Assistant Bar Manager.  She says this was an eye-opening experience and definitely challenging to manage stock, scheduling and finances for the bar, hall and pavilion.  But she says she enjoys helping out when she can.

When I asked Kathy what had inspired her to run for the position of President, she said when Dean decided to step down, the search began for a replacement.  It had been suggested on several occasions that she run, but she dismissed the idea at first.

As the year went on, she decided that she wished to run for office.  Kathy’s prior experiences as a Board of Director member along with her involvement with the club would be an asset for an incoming President.  Many of the existing Board of Director members pledged their support as well as the House Committee.

Some things Kathy would like to accomplish during her office…She wants to support the current leadership and membership in the best way she can.

She would like to inspire some new members to become involved on a committee or Board of Director level.

As for passion of this club, she is passionate about fostering a good environment at our club.  Teamwork and respect, communication between all members is so important – we have so many activities and events that can only happen if members choose to be involved. So, encouraging more people to help out is key to the club’s success.

My hope is that VSSC will continue to be a place that our members can enjoy and people wish to be a part of we will continue to be financially strong.  

I want to thank you Kathy for taking the time to let the membership get to know you a little bit !   CONGRATULATIONS ! 

March 2025