Spring Night at Connells by Sandi Ann
Thank you! (5/13/26)
Many thanks go out to all of the volunteers who have worked on the recent road projects:
Tom Sysock
Joanne Day
Nathan Strain
Ted Lowden
Steve Campbell
Dean Salsman
Dale Fitzgerald Jr.
Dale Fitzgerald III
Thank you all for giving of your time and talents to help improve our club and keeping our roads in usable condition for all members.
Good morning. In the past week and a half I personally have confronted seven different people that have been on White Ash property riding ATVs and UTVs, that were not members and/or did not have members present with them. Over half have stated that they had family members or friends who are White Ash members and have given them permission to ride on the property. This is an increasingly problematic issue that we need to get under control because it has gotten out of hand. We want to remind members that they are not to give permission to anyone to utilize the club for any purpose whatsoever. In addition, Junior members are strictly forbidden, per the bylaws, to bring any guests onto the club for any purpose. This includes ATV/UTV use, even if they are just a passenger riding on a junior members machine. If this activity continues, members who are identified promoting this type of activity could face penalties up to and including removal from membership. In the meantime we are cracking down on trespassers and pursuing charges of trespassing through the Pennsylvania State Police. We understand this will be a daunting task and is going to take time to correct, but if we don’t do something it’s going to get much worse. I think we can all agree that having this many people trespassing is not a good thing for the club. So, hopefully our efforts will start to make people realize that we are serious regarding this issue.
Have a great rest of your weekend.
Steve (5/3/26)
ATTENTION-ROAD WORK HELPERS NEEDED THE WEEK OF APRIL 20th!!
Attention to members who can run a skid-steer and/or work a shovel. Have you been waiting for an opportunity to get involved? Dean Salsman has rented a skid-steer with a road conditioning attachment for the week of April 20th. This will be used to tear up and refinish some of our roads that need attention. He is looking for helpers. He would like to get a schedule of available members and get it posted so that everyone who wants to help (and the machine) are fully utilized the week we have access to it. Even an hour or two of your time would be greatly appreciated. You can email walasecretary@gmail.com with day of the week and times you are available and I will add you to the schedule, or you can reach out to Dean directly at 570-721-3638. Dean’s plan is to meet the delivery truck at the Dandy mart in Mildred in the AM hours on Monday (4/20/26). He will have a more specific time as the date gets closer. I will post a schedule as the 20th gets closer. Thank you for your consideration in investing some time in the Club!
Here are some opening day of trout photos taken by Jim Sysock:
Special Notice (Equipment Removal Requested)
Just a friendly reminder that if you have hunting equipment such as tree stands, blinds or cameras located within the area being logged on Mile Hill, it would be best to get them out ASAP. We have been notified that there are tree stands and cameras locked fast to trees that are to be cut down, or near trees that are to be cut. The logging company and White Ash is not responsible for any equipment that may be damaged.
Also, if you have traps out on the property, remember that they are required to be tagged.
Thank you
Steve
Yesterday afternoon We conducted prescribed burns at the mines to prepare two new food plots. Weather conditions were very favorable, and both were completed in roughly two and a half hours with no issues. Things are starting to green up already so we had to get these done as soon as possible. A huge shout out to director John McAdam and his son Chase, along with director Aaron Wheeler and member Jeff Mensch for the help. Now the fun begins! (March 25th by Steve Campbell)
President’s Letter March 2026
2025 Volunteer of the Year
The Directors then acknowledged Mitchell Pedro as the 2025 White Ash Volunteer of the Year. Mitchell was responsible for building a bridge on the South Road that accommodates motor vehicles. Mitchell provided this service to the Club for the cost of the materials. This was a big undertaking, and the project turned out beautifully. Mitchell was presented with a plaque and $100. Mitchell inquired if the bridge could be dedicated to his late grandfather, Edward Chrzanowsi, a life-long White Ash member.
Opportunity for Juniors (Ages 17 and younger) to partake in The Jakes Program that is presented by the Red Rock Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Foundation. This is a public event, so feel free to share the attached brochure with family & friends.
This event will be on Saturday April 18th, 2026 at White Ash (Dam & Clubhouse areas).
Some of the learning stations (tenative) that will be covered are:
- Waterfowl Hunting – dogs will be demonstrating
- Upland Bird Hunting – dogs will be demonstrating
- Shooting – 22 calibers or shotguns (depending on age)
- Trapping
- Pheasants Forever
- Turkey Calling
- Archery
It is required to Register for the event by April 4, 2026! Please see the attached brochure for full details and instructions on registering for the event.
Please note that space is limited with the event, so it is recommended to register ASAP.
The PA Game Commission is in search of a few new Hunter Education instructors for Sullivan County. You would need to pass a child abuse clearance and a record check to qualify due to working with children.
If this is something that would interest you, please reach out to me and we can connect you with the Game Commission.
As a reminder, this year we are hosting two Hunter Trapper Education (HTE) courses at the clubhouse, and if you become an instructor, you would be able to Help Teach our junior members and the public about HTE:
https://www.register-ed.com/…/25-pennsylvania-hunter…
Member Survey Results 2025 (Please download to view)
Snowy Day at the Dam by Donna Sherwood (2/26)
WALA is partnering with Dwight Lewis Lumber Company again this year to offer a scholarship to attend the Wildlife Leadership Academy to become a wildlife conservation ambassador. The scholarship is open to any WALA Jr member, ages 14-17. The wildlife academy is held at Krislund Camp and Conference Center near Madisonburg, PA. Participants can choose one of the following dates / field schools.
-PA Bucktails: June16-20 : Focusing on white-tailed deer and the management of their habitat.
-Bass: June 23-27: Focusing on bass and the Susquehanna River watershed
-Brookies: July7-11 : Focusing on brook trout, macroinvertebrates, and cold water conservation.
-Gobblers: July 14-18: Focusing on the wild turkey and the management of their habitat.
-Ursids: July 21-25: Focusing on black bears and the management of their habitat.
If interested please contact Amber Strain at 724-388-5518.
Gary Hoover reports 11 inches of ice on Connells Pond 1/22/26
From the Board of Directors
The White Ash Board of Directors is bidding a fond farewell to Director Sean Thibodeault, who has officially resigned to focus on his leadership as Chief of the Mildred Fire Company.
Sean has been a part of the White Ash family since his youth, eventually becoming one of our youngest and longest-serving directors with a full decade of service. His leadership and deep history with the club have left a lasting impact. While we will miss his presence on the Board, we are incredibly proud of his ‘honor-bound’ commitment to the fire company and the Mildred community.
From President, Steve Campbell, as posted on Facebook 12/29
Reminder: If you have not paid your dues, please do so before Thursday, December 31st. After January 1st, anyone who has not paid, is considered late, and your privileges to utilize the club are suspended until your dues are paid in full. If payment has not been received by February 1st, a $50.00 administrative late fee will be assessed and added to the total amount due. If dues are not received by March 1st, your membership will be terminated. As of today, December 29th, there are 230+ members who have not paid their dues. This is an annually chronic situation that should not be happening. If you have paid your dues, thank you.
From Derek Farrell (Red Rock Horizon Setters) as posted on Facebook on 12/20
Brody got some shooting in today behind Tomi and Pepper! It’s always nice to have a kid tagging along, especially one that’s not afraid of the trigger. We love showing the next generation what makes this sport so much fun and getting them in the field and back to the basics, a good dog and a gun!
From Mike Bigus as posted on Facebook on 12/20
Fun day for Willie!
From Brad Picchini as posted on Facebook on 12/21
Had a good day with Bailey yesterday. Thank you for all your efforts in making these memories possible.
From John McAdam (12/19)
Notice: This year we will be having our traditional opening day but we will be holding the kids derby at a later date. The goal is to give all our members the best expierence possible and make the event for the kids an even better time. If you would like to help out with the kid’s derby please reach out to me. More details to come in the next month or so.
From Steve Campbell as posted on Facebook (12/18)
In case you did not know, Sundays are not open to hunting the rest of the year. This includes small game. December 7th was the final Sunday that it was legal to hunt in Pennsylvania for this license year. I know there are quite a few people that are not aware of that. I was one of those people.
Also, in the next few weeks, logging operations will start on Mile Hill. If you have any tree stands, blinds or trail cameras in that area, now would be a good time to remove them.
Gary Hoover reports that there is 5 inches of ice on the pond. (12/16)
(Saturday, December 6th, as posted on Facebook) Good afternoon, members! Just a reminder that there will be a final in-person dues collection at the Clubhouse next Saturday, December 13th, from 9-11 am at the Clubhouse. Dues are due by January 1st. If anyone needs paper or digital copies of the dues letter, form, and survey I am happy to resend. If you have selected email delivery and don’t recall getting a notice, please check your spam folder. Please email walasecretary@gmail.com or call 570-220-6959 to request help.
Sophie DeVoll with her White Ash buck shot on Saturday 11/29.
Happy Sunday! A quick reminder that there will be an in-person dues collection at the Clubhouse Friday (11/28) night from 5-7pm. Dues are due by January 1st and the holidays are quickly approaching. If anyone needs paper or digital copies of the dues letter, form, and survey I am happy to resend. If you have selected email delivery and don’t recall getting a notice, please check your spam folder. Please email walasecretary@gmail.com or call 570-220-6959 to request help.
You can also pay online at: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/2026-dues-collection-copy/items
The Club Has an Additional 5 Acres!
Apologies on Change of Pheasant Delivery Plans (November 5th)
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we will not be receiving a delivery of pheasants this Friday. The next available delivery will not be until December 19th. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause and we appreciate your understanding.
Bridge Project Complete (November 2nd)
The bridge project on the switch leading into Lopez is complete and is open for business. In the coming weeks there will be some better grading to the road, but as of now it is passable. Huge thank you goes out to club member Mitchell Pedro for all his work and dedication. Mitch identified the need for a more sustainable route than what was there and took the initiative to design and do this work on his own. So when you see Mitch shake his hand and say thank you. We know that there’s a lot of traffic on that trail and this is a huge upgrade.
Work Completed at Jap’s Pond (November 2nd)
A second project that we had going on is also complete. Huge thank you to DJ Fitzgerald, Dave Kisner and Johnny Vest for all of their work to repair the top of the breast of Jap’s pond and road leading down into it. From the years of traffic across the top, mud puddles began to form and turn into bigger mud puddles, which started eroding the top level of the dam. This created spots where during high water events, water from the pond would leak into these low areas and started to cut out parts of the dam. In an effort to prevent complete loss of the pond, the top of the dam was built up by nearly a foot and a half. In the spring we will get some seed on it and it should be good as new.
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