Rounders of Riga

This year marks the 70th year reunion of The Rounders of Riga on Nov. 16. A two-week outing we’ve awaited for the past fifty weeks. A tradition beginning in 1954 by retired WWII vets interested in deer hunting. Today veteran members have dwindled to four supplemented by carefully vetted family and friends. We erected our 16 x 32 military tent in early October to allow sufficient time for the numerous chores to follow. All preparation and readied for the Friday evening before the Saturday opener of Nov. 16th. Each member is assigned preparation of an evening meal of their choice. Usually high in calories but necessary after a long day afield.

Morning hunts followed by a brief late morning for a self prepared brunch of ham, sausage, bacon, eggs, cheese, pancakes, homefries or any combination thereof. Then back to the chase to return around 5/5:30 p.m. to warm ourselves before a drink or nap prior to the evening meal. A good deal of friendly banter follows: tales of the days hunt, past hunts and members missed, successes or lack of such and hopes for tomorrow. Perhaps a few hands of cards then lights out to await an annoying dog-barking alarm clock wake up at 4 a.m., which always entices immediate attention to silence. This signaling the beginning of another day followed by the robust odor of cowboy coffee perking on the stove. A cup or two while planning the days hunt and informing all of individual locations. Out the door between 5:30/6 a.m. with good lucks exchanged to experience whatever Mother Nature delivers.

I’m hoping one of our junior members connects with their first deer. A memorable event for our archives. Two weeks at deer camp — always enjoyable and cherished by we members and anxiously awaited for another 50 weeks until we reunite next year. God Bless you patriotic readers and your families. Enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving together, ensure the welfare of neighbors, treat yourselves and support the area winter American Legion and firehouse breakfasts available and please take time for a little prayer of thanks for our military, police officers and firefighters who protect you and your family each and every day so you may happily enjoy your holidays safely and without worry.

Town of North East resident Larry Conklin is a Vietnam veteran and a member of both the Millerton American Legion Post 178 and the VFW Post 6851 in North Canaan, Connecticut.