Welcome to your Langhorne Rod & Gun Club February 2026 Monthly Newsletter. Last month, we launched a new newsletter format designed to enhance your reading experience.

Key improvements include:

• Mobile Optimization – Easier viewing on phones and tablets, eliminating the need to zoom into PDF documents.
• Navigation – Expanded use of links throughout the newsletter for quicker and easier access to content.
• Archiving – Continuous, automatic archiving of all newsletters for easy access at any time.

We have moved away from PDF newsletters. Monthly newsletter content will now live exclusively on the LRGC website, where it will remain available as part of the club’s permanent archive.

This transition will be a work in progress over the next few months. As with any change, there may be issues discovered along the way that need to be addressed. Your patience—and your feedback—as we refine this new format are greatly appreciated.

During the transition, some previous newsletter content will be temporarily unavailable, and some content may be removed permanently. For example, the For Sale page will not be available during this period. Its return, along with other legacy content, may be considered at a later date. Moving forward, the primary focus of the newsletter will be club-related news, issues, events, and activities.

Please keep in mind that this is your newsletter. As editors, we (Joe Mercede and Bruce Santos) welcome your input on recent and upcoming LRGC events, experiences, and club-focused information that benefits the membership and the club as a whole.

You are encouraged to reach out to us at editor@langhornerodandgun.com

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📅 **Upcoming Meetings & Special Events at the Club**

**General Membership Meeting**
Thursday, February 5 — 7:00 PM Tan Building

**Club Wide Work Party**
Saturday, February 14 — 8:00 AM-2:00 PM

**Mailing Committee Meeting**
Thursday, February 19 — 7:00 PM Tan Building

**4H Meeting & Shooting**
Sunday, February 15 — Noon to 2:00 PM Tan Building & Short Range

**Fish & Game Committee Meeting**
Wednesday, February 18 — 7:00 PM Green Building

**Board of Trustees Meeting**
Tuesday, February 24 — 7:00 PM Green Building

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⭐ February 2026 Club Calendar

by Vince Sullivan

Event dates and times may change for various reasons. Please check the calendar on the website for last minute changes.

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⭐ From President John Terrell

Hoping everyone is keeping warm and safe during this frigid weather!
Club elections were held at the General Meeting on January 8, 2026. Ron Fortunato was re-elected and will continue serving on the Board for the next five years.

Chief Range Safety Officer Joe Gutherman held a meeting on January 11 for all committee chairs to review safety procedures for shooting events scheduled at the club. Anyone who was unable to attend, or who has questions regarding safety protocols, is encouraged to contact Joe Gutherman for additional information.

Many thanks to Ernie Leossy and the snow removal crew for keeping access clear at the gate and club entrance. Please continue to use caution in parking areas and be mindful of any icy conditions on club grounds.
During these cold and inclement weather months, please watch for event cancellations through eCom notifications.

Members using the front gate are reminded to check that the gate fully closes when exiting the club. If you experience any issues, please contact John Terrell or a Board member for assistance.

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📢 **Special Announcements & Upcoming Events**

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Summary of Committee Head/RSO Meeting on January 11

As most of you know, there was a meeting held on Sunday, January 11. Attendance was mandatory for committee chairmen that manage and run shooting events for the club, as well as the RSOs that assist them during those events. The following is a summary of that meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to ensure that LRGC continues to provide a safe and enjoyable shooting experience for everyone who participates in club matches and events.

During the meeting, the CRSO (Joe Gutherman), committee heads, and the RSOs who support these activities reviewed and discussed current safety procedures, including those followed before, during, and after shooting events at the club.

The group also clarified how potential issues should be handled and reported if they arise.

In addition, updated training requirements were discussed and approved to further strengthen existing RSO certification and training. RSO Refresher Courses as well as an NRA RSO Certification Course are being planned for the near future, dates and times TBD.

The meeting concluded with an extended Q&A session, allowing attendees to ask questions and share feedback.

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Message from Ron Fortunato – Board of Trustees

Member Appreciation

Being involved in your club is an important part of its day-to-day operation. It was great to see 78 members attend the Committee/RSO meeting on Sunday morning, January 11th. This level of participation is essential to the continued success of our club.

Our club elections are another vital part of the organization. Members who volunteer their time for the betterment of the club play a key role in ensuring its strength and future. Seeing 166 members come out to support their candidate was truly impressive. On behalf of John Palombi and myself, we would like to personally thank each and every one of you for your involvement and support.

Respectfully,

Ron Fortunato

Board of Trustees

Action Pistol Chairman

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Steel Challenge Matches – February & March

Please note that the February and March Steel Challenge matches will be a “6 Shot Steel Shoot”.

Rules and scoring will be very different compared to the usual Steel Challenge matches.

Please read the following from Match Director John Palombi:

“6 Shot Steel Shoot” matches will be held the 3rd Saturday of January, February & March annually.

This is a 6 Shot per String Steel Plate Match.

Iron Sights Only

Center Fire Handguns ONLY – No Magnum Calibers

There Will be 3 Stages with 4 Strings per Stage – 72 Round Count Maximum

Each String has a 6 Shot Limit – Bring at Least 4 Magazines, 1 per String

Children 12 & Under May Shoot any Pistol Caliber Firearm

Eyes & Ears Mandatory

Registration is 8:00AM-8:30AM – Hammer Down at 9:00AM”

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First Aid Boxes – Keeping Them Stocked

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Blood Drive Chairmen Ken Jankowitz & John Freitag Jr will be hosting another Red Cross Blood Drive at LRGC in the Tan Building. If you would like to participate, please use the button below to schedule your donation on the Red Cross website.

8:30AM to 1:30PM. Signing up in advance is a huge help to Ken & John and guarantees the time that works best for you.

Contact Blood Drive Chairman Ken Jankowitz at kenjankowitz@verizon.net with questions

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Contact Scott Russell @ 215.378.8797 -or- email scott-russell@comcast.net with questions

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Contact Terry Budge @ 267-549-4689 -or- email terrybudge60@gmail.com with questions

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⭐ **Matches and People**

January 2026 Steel challenge

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⭐ **Monthly Work Party**

Saturday, January 10th

Photos by Rob McHugh

Even on a rain-shortened day, the work party crew managed to get a great deal accomplished. In addition to the regular range, grounds, and building maintenance performed each month, volunteers built a new enclosure on the short range at the 25-yard line. This enclosure will help protect surrounding target areas from spalling and jacket fragments generated by bullet impacts on the swinging steel targets.

Thank you to everyone who came out and put in the effort — it is greatly appreciated.

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⭐ **Monthly Columns**

February Gun Shows

by Vince Sullivan

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National Days List – February 2026

by Dave Gaft

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This Month in History

by Mark Lambdin

Historic Dates in Shooting, Hunting, and the Outdoors

Winchester Repeating Arms Company Founded
On February 3, 1866, Oliver Winchester reorganized the New Haven Arms Company into the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Winchester rifles would become synonymous with American frontier expansion, hunting, and sporting use. The company’s lever-action designs helped define repeating firearm technology and played a major role in both civilian and military firearm development.

Yellowstone National Park Established
On February 27, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed legislation establishing Yellowstone National Park. As the world’s first national park, Yellowstone marked a major milestone in wildlife stewardship and conservation. The decision set a global precedent for protecting wild lands, habitat, and game species for public benefit rather than private exploitation.

Notable February Dates in U.S. History

USS Maine Explosion in Havana Harbor
On February 15, 1898, the U.S. Navy battleship USS Maine exploded while anchored in Havana Harbor, Cuba, killing 266 American sailors. The incident sharply escalated tensions between the United States and Spain and became the immediate catalyst for the Spanish American War. Public outrage and political pressure following the explosion pushed the United States toward armed intervention, marking a turning point in American military history and the nation’s emergence as a global power.

Siege of the Alamo Begins
On February 23, 1836, Mexican forces under General Antonio López de Santa Anna began the siege of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. The thirteen-day siege became one of the most iconic events of the Texas Revolution. Though the defenders were ultimately overrun, their resistance became a powerful rallying symbol that influenced the outcome of the conflict.

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The Price of Tea in Tibet: What You Need to Know

An Informational Update With Absolutely No Relevance

Members have been asking for more insight into global trends that do not affect them in any measurable way. In response, we are pleased to provide the following update.

As of this month, the price of tea in Tibet remains… complicated.

Local market conditions continue to fluctuate due to a combination of altitude, weather patterns, supply routes, cultural tradition, and factors that are fascinating but ultimately unrelated to club activities, shooting sports, or anything else that can be considered even slightly relevant.

Experts agree that while tea remains an important beverage in Tibetan daily life, its pricing structure offers no actionable insights for LRGC members, no upcoming events to attend, no volunteer opportunities, and no deadlines to remember.
Nevertheless, awareness is apparently important.

Please note:
• No action is required
• No meeting will be scheduled
• No follow-up article is planned
• This information will not appear on the test

Thank you for your attention to this matter. The Editors

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⭐ **Membership – Misc**

Paused by Winter

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NOTE: The contact list seen below is in the process of being updated with privacy and accuracy in mind. If you are included in this list, and would like your contact information updated, please send an email to editor@langhornerodandgun.com

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