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

Nonnewaug sweeps BL soccer titles
Nonnewaug sweeps BL soccer titles
Nonnewaug sweeps BL soccer titles

WOODBURY — Nonnewaug High School claimed twin titles in the Berkshire League soccer tournament finals.

The school's girls and boys teams were named league champions after finishing the regular season with the best win/loss records. Winning the tournaments earned each team a plaque and added to the program's success in 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joan Jardine

TORRINGTON — Joan Jardine, 90, of Mill Lane, passed away at home on Oct. 23, 2025. She was the loving wife of David Jardine.

Joan was born Aug. 9, 1935, in Throop, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Joseph and Vera (Ezepchick) Zigmont.

Keep ReadingShow less
Celebration of Life: Carol Kastendieck

A Celebration of Life for Carol Kastendieck will be held on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Salisbury, 30 Main St., Salisbury, Connecticut.

Día de los Muertos marks a bittersweet farewell for Race Brook Lodge

The ofrenda at Race Brook Lodge.

Lety Muñoz

On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield will celebrate the Mexican Day of the Dead: El Día de los Muertos.

Mexican Day of the Dead takes place the first weekend of November and honors los difuntos (the deceased) with ofrendas (offerings) on an altar featuring photos of loved ones who have passed on. Elements of earth, wind, fire and water are represented with food, papel picada (colorful decorative paper), candles and tequila left for the beloved deceased. The departed are believed to travel from the spirit world and briefly join the living for a night of remembrance and revelry.

Keep ReadingShow less