Bustin’ Clays as A Way To Entertain Yourself This Summer

Summer entertainment doesn’t have to involve restaurants or dance parties or going to the theater. 

Your favorite sport can be  your summer’s entertainment. For me, that sport is sporting clays, but for you it might be fly-fishing. Either way,  I heartily recommend Orvis Sandanona in Millbrook, N.Y., as a relatively affordable place to pursue or learn to fish and shoot. 

As a sporting clay devotee for more than 20 years, I have spent many entertaining, challenging and happy days at Orvis. It is “the oldest permitted shotgun shooting club in the U.S.” and their facilities are the equal of any club anywhere, in my opinion. Seasoned wing and clay shooters can try two clays courses, both with a variety of target presentations. 

But perhaps the best offering at Orvis is instruction for the first-time shooter or fly-fisher. The instructors for both “games” are highly experienced and qualified “pros.” 

Chief Shooting Instructor  Paula Moore is a five-time member of Womens World Team USA, who holds many championship titles. The fishing instructors, like Mark Searle, can boast equal accolades and achievements.

Clay shooters always say to new shooters “when you see your first clay break, you’re hooked.” You can see this proven daily at Orvis Sandanona. 

Information about sporting clays, wingshooting and fly-fishing instruction and curriculums can be found at www.orvis.com/sandanona-shooting-grounds.html.

Paula Moore, at right in photo, teaches a first-timer how to shoot sporting clays at Orvis Sandanona. Photo by Lans Christensen​

Latest News

Racecars roar in NASCAR’s return to Lime Rock Park

High-speed action made for a weekend of excitement at Lime Rock Park Friday and Saturday, June 27-28.

Photo by Simon Markow

LAKEVILLE — For the first time since 2011, Lime Rock Park hosted National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing events June 27 and 28.

It was billed as the largest event in modern track history with an estimated 20,000 fans attending.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joseph Robert Meehan

SALISBURY — Joseph Robert Meehan the 2nd,photographer, college professor and nearly 50 year resident of Salisbury, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizon on June 17, 2025. He was 83.

He was the son of Joseph Meehan the 1st and his mother, Anna Burawa of Levittown, New York, and sister Joanne, of Montgomery, New York.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Olive Zutter Murphy

STANFORDVILLE, New York — It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Florence Olive Zutter Murphy, who went home to be with the Lord on June 16, 2025, at the age of 99.

She was born in Sharon, Connecticut on Nov. 20, 1925, and was a long time resident of the Dutchess County area.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chore Service hosts annual garden party fundraiser

Chore Service hosted 250 supporters at it’s annual Garden Party fundraiser.

Bob Ellwood

On Saturday, June 21, Mort Klaus, longtime Sharon resident, hosted 250 enthusiastic supporters of Northwest Corner’s beloved nonprofit, Chore Service at his stunning 175-acre property. Chore Service provides essential non-medical support to help older adults and those with disabilities maintain their independence and quality of life in their own homes.

Jane MacLaren, Executive Director, and Dolores Perotti, Board President, personally welcomed arriving attendees. The well-stocked bar and enticing hors d’oeuvres table were popular destinations as the crowd waited for the afternoon’s presentations.

Keep ReadingShow less