FRYEBURG – Bob Sanderson, a founding member of the Fryeburg Fish and Game Association and the association’s first president, was honored at a meeting of the organization he helped found nearly 30 years ago: April 9, 1974.

Since that time Sanderson has been an active member, holding every office in the association. He currently serves as the treasurer. He was presented a plaque of appreciation for his service by Warren Richardson, president, and a vote of thanks from those assembled.

Sanderson is also active in the Ruffed Grouse Society and the Maine Bird Dog Society. He is a Registered Maine Guide and breeder of Sanderson Setters. In his spare time he enjoys fly fishing.

Richardson was then honored for his service as president for four years. He was presented a plaque of appreciation for his work for the club, as a cook for the hunter’s breakfast and annual instructor for hunter safety.

Officers were elected for the next year: James Holt, elected president; Dave Lyons, re-elected vice president; Don Wentworth, re-elected secretary, and Sanderson, re-elected treasurer. Elected to serve as directors were Roy Andrews, Robert Hatch, Terry Richardson, Harold Sanborn, Ed Holt, Warren Richardson, Ray Wentworth, Fred Westerberg and Sam Noftle.

Chris Burnell of Hiram, a Registered Maine Guide, spoke on turkey hunting in Maine and played video tapes he made before and during the turkey hunting season last year as well as sounding the calls made by turkeys.

The association was founded because the Maine Department of Fish and Game had intended to stock Fryeburg’s Clays Pond with brown trout whereas the fishing public wanted to have it stocked with brook trout. The association has been active in such matters affecting hunting and fishing ever since. The club annually tends the buoyage system on Lovewell Pond and maintains the state shooting range in Fryeburg.

The association is a conservation and outdoor education-oriented organization and annually sponsors three area students, ages 10 to 13, at the weeklong Maine Conservation Camp at Bryant Pond. Students learn the basics of water craft safety, map and compass reading, first aid, woods survival and outdoor ethics.

The association also sponsors an annual 12-hour hunter safety course to an average of 40 students, age 10 and above.

The organization holds nine monthly meetings at either the Fryeburg Fire Station at 7 p.m. or supper meetings at 6:30 p.m. at the Church of New Jerusalem, Fryeburg. The public is welcome.

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, May 3, at the Fryeburg Fire Station. The speaker will be Gene Lagomarsino of Maine’s Fish and Wildlife Council who will discuss the ramifications of the upcoming vote on banning natural or planted bait when bear hunting.