The Timberline Sportsman's Association started off as an informal yearly gathering of hunters. The Core Group was composed of John Mauro Sr., Terry Slane Sr., Ralph DiRocco and John Visintini. The tradition began at Camp Alert, a Bluejackets Guard camp located in Glenford NY, otherwise known as 'Rice's. Each Year this core group, plus many others met for a week of hunting and story telling. This tradition was passed down through generations to sons, nephews cousins and other friends.
Around 1980 or so, John Mauro Sr. had the foresight to see that hunting and available hunting land would decline both in popularity and in numbers in the coming years. He proposed to start a hunting club made of the core group, plus some others that became regulars, Fred Roccisano, Harry D'Onofrio, Louie Cefaliello, Frank Visintini, Frank Roccisano, John D'Onofrio, Terry Slane Jr., John Mauro Jr. Patrick Slane Bill McGlenn, and John DiRocco.Their intention was to secure some land and a cabin for future generations to use.
After many a 'Deer Party' fund raiser, sufficient money was collected that allowed our club to purchase the current track of land that we now own in Fultonham NY.
With the combined knowledge of our members, a cabin was built, and currently serves as our hunting base each year.
We are proud of our legacy, and can boast that Hunting Season 2006, though we did not bag any game, for the first time the grandchildren of Terry Slane Sr. and John Mauro Sr. hunted at this cabin.
Ralph would have been proud.
Johnny Viz's description of the below picture:
"Thought you guys would like to see this picture. Best of my memory, they are from left to right; Phil Zarnardi (friend of John V from 13th ave), John DiRocca (nephew of Uncle Ralph), Uncle Ralph, and of course John Viz (great wht hunter), Do not know name, but was a friend, or neighbor of John Mauro, when living in LI City, and of course, John Mauro, Sr. This picture was taken at Camp Alert, and in background is the "ships crew cabin", or as we called it, " the chicken coupe", or "Uncle Toms cabin". Date had to be around early 1960's. Notice, I'm holding an Ita Carcano 6.5 mm. Still have this rifle. Merry Christmas; John V.
