Sportsman’s Corner: Mahar Fish N’ Game Club celebrates 66th annual Game Supper

You may recall Mahar Fish’Game Club member Audrey Elwood writing about the Mahar Fish’N Game Club’s Alaska trip last summer. It was very well received and she has now written a review of last Saturday’s Mahar Fish’Game Club Game Supper. She is very talented writer and is a credit to the club and her school.

Mahar Fish N’ Game Club Game Supper 2026

By Audrey Elwood

On Saturday, March 14, the Mahar Fish N’ Game Club held its 66th annual Game Supper. This event consists of hors d’oeuvres, dinner, speeches, club awards, and door prizes and raffles. The purpose of this night is to highlight the club members and everything they have done within the last year to support their school, environment, club and each other.

The night started out with appetizers as people were arriving. This is a time when members talk with people from our community, giving them their personal stories about what they’ve done and enjoyed in the club during the last year. During this school year, the club has taken a field trip to the Quabbin Reservoir, had a fall fishing outing, went to the Pequoig Bowmen’s Club for an archery outing and held an ice fishing derby. They are planning a deep-sea fishing trip, will have a trap shoot and enjoy a spring fishing outing. The high school will also take a striper charter trip when the weather starts to warm up.

After dinner was served, club President Alexander Malo gave his speech. Along with many “thank you’s,” Malo focused on his time in the club and before it, mentioning that this club “has been a part of my life before I even went to Mahar.”

He noted that this club has truly shaped him into who he is today, just as it has for many others. He also talked about the Alaska trip that many high school students participated in and the annual deep sea fishing trip, saying other events like this are great opportunities for members to immerse themselves in the outdoors while having a lot of fun.

Following his speech, awards were presented, beginning with the Button Buck Award, presented to a middle school student for their outstanding involvement and enthusiasm. This year it was presented to seventh grade student Henry Poirier. Advisor William Devine called him a student unlike many today, who puts in an effort to be at every event and meeting while still pursuing his own outdoor adventures at home.

Next, the Founder’s Award was presented. It goes annually to a high school student for outstanding club leadership and dedication. Club Secretary Stellina Moore was the recipient this year for her constant dedication and willingness to lend a hand whenever it is needed. Over the past year, Moore has stepped up, designing T-shirts, the program for the evening, obtaining prizes for the raffles, and getting the club social media back up and running.

The Driscoll Scholarship was next. This full scholarship to the Massachusetts Junior. Conservation Camp was awarded to Mahar junior Allison Sumner. High school advisor Evelyn Cunha stated Allison had knowledge that many students do not anymore and impressed the advisors with her knowledge of “topics such as ethics and sustainability related to the use of natural resources.” She is already making an impact as a member of the local land trust.

The next two awards were the Mahar Fish’N Game Club Conservation Awards. The Local Award was presented to Peter Cross for his continued support of the Fish N’ Game Club. Presently serving as chairman and having served since 1981, it was noted that when the first Minnesota trip plans were brought before the committee, he spoke in strong support, leading to many more trips the following years.

The State Conservation Award was awarded to The Athol Bird and Nature Club. This club “stands as an organization that continues to pass the love of nature and its preservation to an entirely new generation and embodies the true spirit of conservation” said middle school advisor William Devine.

The final award was the Ducks Unlimited Greenwing Award, and it was presented to eighth grade student Lailah Belliveau by Ducks Unlimited volunteer Mike Donnelly. These students and members of the community exemplify what dedication really is when it comes to not only the club, but their communities and conservation as well.

Following the awards, raffles and door prizes were drawn. These raffles wouldn’t be possible without the help and support from the community. The Fish N’ Game thanks the many families and businesses who donated the large number of door and raffle prizes. A most important thank you also goes to the meat donors and kitchen staff as well. The meat and fish served at every dinner is donated by local hunters and fishermen and women within our community and students within our club. Member Henry Poirier donated some of his venison to the dinner and the mount of his deer was among those on display at the event.

Game Supper nights are looked forward to, not only by the club members and families every year, but by others in the community as well, including a number who have attended for over 50 years. The students work hard to put on the best night they can for everyone, and quite frankly, they do an excellent job each year. None of this would be possible if not for the guidance of advisors Evelyn Cunha and William Devine, who are constantly planning events for the members to enjoy. Without their continued devotion and support, events like these would not be possible at all.

Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.