Bert Wells Shoot September 10th - Middletown OH. CALCUTTA

One of the best shoots in the country

 

Bump for a great venue

 

Bert was one of the first gun club managers that I became friends with. The first big shoot I attended was the 1974 Mid American and that was the first that I met Burt. He was very nice to a new kid ata member. I still miss him today and that was almost 50 years ago.

 

I've always heard he was truly a wonderful human, and a true ambassador of our sport. Wish i had the chance to meet him.

 

With all the club drama the family is not allowing the shoot to be named after Bert Wells any longer and requested the club not use his name on anything moving forward. The family removed his portrait from the wall at the club as well. They are very unhappy with how the club is representing his legacy.

 

I've got a question for you ShellShock, it seems that the Middletown club is doing a lot of historical rewriting about Ohio Trap Shooting. I'm not impressed with the SW zone delegates you've been sending to the board and your ATA delegate is certainly not of Clyde Findlay's stature, so what in the hell is going on in Middletown?

 

Shellshock ….. what caused the anxiety?

Brad ….. Associating Middletown with the OH Delegate is a kick in the shorts.

Great comment P-MX10

 

Bert was a good man and did a great job running the Middletown Sportsmen’s Club. I think that he would be the first to tell anyone that there was no sense of altruism connected to the work he did at the club. He did the work because he got paid to do it.

Unfortunately, there are members of Bert’s family who have traded on his name for years. They feel that Bert’s work affords them some special status at the club. Other than licking a few envelopes each year in connection with the memorial shoot and providing one (1) cake for it, they do nothing (even while serving as board members) without either a paycheck, discounted club fees, free targets or a combination of all three.

I, like many other members, pay my club dues, volunteer to help where I can and don’t expect or demand to be sat on a pedestal for doing so. So, spare me the unhappiness of these individuals.

 

Obituary


WELLS, Albert R. "Bert" Age 68, of Middletown passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2006 at his residence. He was born on August 21, 1937 in Miltonville, Ohio to Earl and Mary Wells. Bert managed Sohio Stations with Standard Oil prior to becoming the manager of the Middletown Sportsman's Club from 1968-1992. In addition to being a life member of the Middletown Sportsman's Club, he was also a member of the ATA, NRA, and was a Kentucky Colonel. Mr. Wells was also a member of Poasttown First Church of God. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Wells in 1991; his parents; and a brother, Edward Wells. He is survived by two daughters, Sherry (Richard) Neff and Patty Wells both of Middletown; three grandchildren, Tara Madden, Dorothy and Toto Wells; two sisters, Myrna Kohlman and Judy Wells both of Indiana; dear friend and companion, Judy Curran of Middletown; also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and numerous friends. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 22, 2006 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Baker-Stevens Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Poasttown First Church of God. Interment will be at Butler County Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Poasttown First Church of God, Building Fund, 6376 Middletown Germantown Rd., Middletown, OH 45042 or to American Cancer Society, 2808 Reading Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45206. Baker-Stevens is serving the family.

Published by Journal-News from Aug. 20 to Aug. 21, 2006.

 

I sure wish i knew what the hell was going on there but I’m not quite that well connected lol I’ve spent more time at the range lately than the traps to avoid the drama. There’s definitely a core group out there banding together and working on “something” according to the local gossip that I’m sure will come to light eventually.
It’s definitely a divided camp with some very strong opinions on both sides, and from the middle they both have some validity.

 

Shellshock
Middletown has always been a favorite venue of mine. Definitely my favorite clubhouse.

 

I hate to hear it ShellShock but thanks for the answer, if you find out for sure please post it, I would like to know. I'm with Family Guy the Middletown Club House is my favorite one still around. My all time fav was the Harold's Club. The old Golden West Grands were held there, back when the west had shooters.

 

Haha! Reveal yourself Hcarl . You’re a joke!!

love,
SherryNeff

 

Sherry, I believe I would just put h carl on total ignore. Seems like if he could bought for what he knows and sold for what he thinks he knows it could be quite a bargain. He talks a lot, but he sure don't say much.

Dave Berlet

 

Sherry, many members on this site would like for HCal to come out from the closet and reveal his real name.

 

Brad I have a question for you. What do you mean by Middletown is doing a lot of historical. Writing of Ohio Trap Shooting.
As far as what’s going on at Middletown. Anytime you have management change there is almost always some difference in opinion. No one likes change. MSC will continue to grow and do well.
As far as our delegate. You obviously don’t care for him but liked Clyde. I can name people that like Craig and did not like Clyde. Difference in opinions is what gives us diversity. It does not mean one opinion is right or wrong. In the world we live in today, with social media. Opinions are more easily expressed so that everyone hears them.
I invite you to come down and shoot some of our shoots.

respectfully
Jerry Nickell
MSC President

 

MIDDLETOWN IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO SHOOT AND I WILL BE THERE ON SEPT.10.IS THERE ANOTHER CALCUTTA BESIDE THIS ONE BEFORE THE FALL FESTIVAL. ALSO LOOKING FOWARD TO THE 50 BIRD ON SATURDAY THRU THE FALL AND WINTER.

 

The first thing that I notice from this response is that you don't dispute the truth of HCarl's words.

I don't know who HCarl is, but it's apparent to me that he's been around the club for a little while because what he stated above is spot on. If he (or she) knows what many of the members of Middletown do, you should be thankful that he stopped where he did.

Personally, I think the whole family should be removed from the club for life based solely on their recent social media posts concerning Middletown Sportsmen's Club.

 

Removing a whole family? Caplinger and Blair have only voted to remove HOF pictures. You folks in the SW OH are leaders in the sport.

 

jerry Nickell, thanks for the invite. I haven't shot a trap target in 2 years or an ata target in 12. I've got eye problems but I was done shooting even before that. I shot a lot a Middletown over the years. The Mid American, the Fall Festivel, the winter calcutta's, I even shot a lot of Wed. registered events. Back in my day the two things Middletown was known for was money shoots and sand baggers. Both were good. Some of the nicest trophies I ever won was from the fall festivel shoot. Fishing rods, binocs, things like that. I still have the rods around someplace.

I talked to the Ohio delegate last year at the Cardinal Classic when I was the TD, the first time I remember meeting him, and his lack of knowledge of trap shooting rules and history left me stunned. Then I was told what he said to Liz Ternes after the ATA election and he went down another notch. Then when I heard about the state meeting he fell some more.

Clyde and I had our share of disagrements when we were on the board together but I never questioned his honesty or wanting the best for Ohio shooting, I Can't say that about our current delegate.

 

Oh Jack, you that have no idea of the story. I promise you the story has not been told and if the board president keeps his promise, which was previously broken, I will ride off into the sunset. We are trying to bar ourselves by disassociating our names and have met nothing but resistance. Say what you want about any of us, but I will promise you will find no one who can say anything bad about my Dad or Pat Neff in that’s not bullshit!
Come on out and we can talk. I think I already have been to or who you are
There is no need to rebut HCarl post. There was nothing factual in it except we did only buy 1 cake and we did lick envelopes!

All my love to you and yours!!

Sherry Neff

 

You are right about that Dave! It’s easy
to sling mud when your hiding behind an Alias! Hope you and Sandy are well!

Pat and Sherry

 

BIG PAPA

Cripes, I just remembered Bert and Pat have pictures in the OSTA HOF. Tell these guys not to ruffle feathers.

 

Knowing Clyde for many years I can say that to the best of ,my knowledge he never lied to me, which is more than I can say for some of the names that have been mentioned in the posts above. As for our HOF are some of the ( woke cancel culture) going to go after Clyde or Bert? They have already disgraced our HOF by removing the picture of one of our deceased inductee's.

Dave Berlet

 

It is always easier to pick on a dead man.

 

Brad - the Delegate from Ohio that has been scorned is Blair. Let’s not avoid saying his name. For the safety of everyone on the road pray he is a better truck truck driver than Delegate.

Ohio could use Bert Wells as Delegate.

 

Dave,
I simply made a statement about opinions. By NO MEANS, was anything said about going after Clyde Finley in the HOF. This is how dumb rumors get started. Just saying.
Respectfully
Jerry Nickell

 

Pat and Shelly, Who punched who at Middletown? I remember in the old days that the shitters plugged up a few times. That was back in the 70's when the mid american had 6 or 700 shooters. The good old days, I miss those times but feel a little bad I missed the fight. Please give us some details.

 

Hi Brad….apparently there was a disagreement about a fee to store a camper at the gun club. (a deal that was struck a few years ago). Manager was questioned and told Rob Mize to go ask the board who was outside. Story goes that words were exchanged, Rob pushed Jerry Nickell and Jerry punched him. Pretty sure there was already bad blood, but this is bad juju!! Honestly, common sense thing to would be to store 40 or 50 campers or vehicles in that empty lot from October to April 1 at the old price of 100, let alone the 200 they want now, sounds like 5000 to 10,000 a month income during dead winter months!! ‍♀️‍♀️. But what do I know!!
Sherry Neff

 

Especially since you want to “separate” yourselves from the club.

 

Thanks, would punching a club member be grounds for getting thrown out of the club, the ATA, the OSTA HOF? What are the current and new OSTA by laws say about this anyhow? I'd guess I'm not the only one on here that would like to know.

 

H…..sounds like I’m the smart one!!

❤️. Sherry

 

Sherry, i guess if the face of msc slash the him or me guy slash ex grass mower. That would have been a great idea.

 

Sherry, Brad Hcarl

Let me set the record true to the facts. Rob had ask about storing his camper earlier this year, not years ago. He was told he could store it for $100 per month. Another member came by one day and noticed that it was plugged in and the AC units were running. When he paid in September he was told to unhook and pay $100 or leave hooked to electric and pay $200 per month. He called me and was upset. I told him that other board members was involved with this not just me. He told me September was most likely his last month of keeping it there. He went in to pay in October and handed the mgr $100 bill. Mgr ask did you unplug from electric. He told mgr.he was not unhooking. Mgr told him that was not the deal, unhook and pay $100 or leave hooked up and pay $200. Running heat and ac when hooks up takes quite a bit of electric during a month. He came out accusing of this all being my idea on pricing. I told him it was board members that came up with the number. After he yelled at me a few minutes, I told him there are three choices, pay $100 and unhook from the electric, stay hooked up and pay $200. Or move his camper. He stepped up almost against me and then took both hand sand shoved me as hard he could. My hands were in my pocket. It shoved me back three steps. I did what any man would do, He assaulted me and I punched him in the mouth. VP was there and got between us. He took rob to his truck and I went to the club house. Rob has threatened to shoot people and beat the shit out of people for ever. I was assaulted and I defended myself. For the record this is all caught on tape by our security cameras. This is not he said she said. Also for the record Rob was suspended for six mos a few years ago. He was given a second chance. Board of Trustees voted unanimously to suspend him for life. I offered to resign as President and trustee. I also offered to leave the room and let them talk about suspending me. Board stated that I was only defending myself and I needed to stay where I was in the meeting.

It amazing that I read on TS about storing campers from October thru April to collect a few dollars but NO ONE has ever brought that up to me. Wonder how this brilliant idea has never been brought up before.

Everyone wants to refer to Bob the grass cutter. However he was more than a grass cutter, he was our ONLY trap mechanic. Sporting clay machines have to be worked on weekly. How can a club stay open while traps are broken and you are trying to get someone to come and fix them?? I CANNOT make a decision by myself. The board votes on it and the only way I can even vote is if it is to break a tie. Board members have an unpaid decision. If this was my paycheck, I would have quit a long time ago. I have supported what I thought was BEST for MSC. Unlike many, I do not have a personal agenda. We are taking nominations the second Tuesday of November at the member meeting. The meeting is at 7 PM. We start serving dinner about 6:15 pm. If you are a member and would like to get on the board, please come out and throw your name in the hat. We elect the board the second Tuesday in December. After the board meeting in December the board elects officers for the coming year. I can say there is not a chance I will stay on as president. I am also pretty sure I have quit shooting trap. Gonna try sporting clays for a while. Not any bitching in the woods other than bitching at your self as I miss targets.
So with all of this said, Sherry you don't know as much as you think that you do. Your sources sometimes like to modify their info they pass to you. And for someone that does not want their name associated with the club, you sure try to keep up and stir the pot. Maybe you should actually become a member where you have a say in what goes on and can actually vote on something. If anyone would like to speak with me directly, feel free to PM me.

Respectfully,
Jerry Nickell

 

Thank you Jerry for setting the record straight. There are many versions of all the stories that come out of MSC. Either way pushing and punching is not the way. I know you both and I don’t think you are best friends. Maybe a nice certified letter with the options and consequences of not making a choice! I do believe there was a handsomely paid trap mechanic for at least the Mid American. In defense of the punchee, I don’t believe this was your first run in with another person at the gun club either. I believe a car had to be repaired after that brawl that I believe involved you!! I also know of another instance where one of your buddies punched a shooter in the mouth for a comment he didn’t like. I do not “involve myself” in MSC. I can’t control he amount of texts and calls that come our way regarding this debacle of late!! I will not let you tell me what I can say or on what platform I can say it! I think I will join and maybe run for President. Not sure who is gonna want it after this year!! But in case I change my mind, I would like to nominate Hcarl and Jackomatic. They both seem up to the task.

Love,
Sherry Neff

 

A car was not repaired that I had anything to do with. I never touched anyone’s car. My friend is an adult. I don’t control what they do. For someone that don’t want their name associated with MSc, you sure stir the pot. You said you were going away and take care of your health. But you have to keep stirring the pot. Join the club so you can run for the board. Let’s get you made the president. After December I will not be president. I really don’t know how we can stay open without you telling us how to run the club. You say you want the club to succeed but your actions says otherwise.

love ya
Jerry

 

Jerry….YOU kept me involved after you told me that MSC owned my Dad’s name because he ran the gun club per the attorney you consulted! . The day I took Dad’s picture, I told you then that our family wanted Mom and Dads name removed from everything. You argued that day and then you and I worked through it and you told me the name would not be used. Big Lie!! We hashed and yelled and argued a bunch more times because it was printed and published multiple times. This would have ended in July except you don’t seem to follow through! We have finally got that taken care of, but this is now comedic relief for me! I have not been to the gun club or posted the whole story. If any of this bullshit can break MSC, then I feel safe to say that’s on you and your team!! Board seems a little cliquey to me. Just my opinion!

As for my health, I am very focused on that, just got a pretty new radiation mask last week!! And you don’t seem well either, hopefully you can focus on your health in January!

Hugs,
Sherry Neff

 

@Pat Neff (Sherry)

Was there a prior physical altercation at MSC involving Jerry before this latest "punch in the mouth" event?

You seem to allude to this with your "car repair" comment.

 

Wasn't someone slammed on the hood of a white Chevy HHR several years ago ......

I don't remember who did what ..... but I think it happened in the lower parking lot.

 

Well there's the real issue. It was a Chevrolet!!
Besides everybody know that all the thugs hang out in that lower lot.