CMP State Directors Attend Ohio Governor’s Annual Fish Fry to Celebrate Sportsmen
October 10, 2025
Submitted by Russ & Vickie Evans, Ohio CMP State Directors
Vickie and I have attended the Ohio Department of Natural Resources meetings for several years.
We have made an effort to inform them of the function of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), including the organization’s assistance in new junior programs at local clubs and organizations across the state. Ohio’s Governor holds a yearly Fish Fry at the Governor’s Mansion in Bexley, Ohio, to celebrate Ohio Sportsmen.
Vickie and I were invited to attend this year and were able to network with many sportsman’s clubs and groups from across Ohio. We were able to explain the CMP’s willingness to supply starter air gun packages to groups, assisting them in beginning junior marksmanship programs.
Governor Mike and First Lady Fran DeWine were gracious hosts and spent a good deal of time allowing all of the guests to speak with them. Our estimate would be about 150 were invited from around the state.
Our dinner was Ohio walleye bites, bacon-wrapped dove breast, smoked turkey breast with blueberry sauce, buffalo sliders, venison stew and salads. Dessert was a brownie or blueberry crumble with ice cream and cookies, which included Fran DeWine’s special Ohio Buckeye Cookie.
After the meal, the Governor’s Mansion (built in 1925) was open for a tour. It featured Ohio artwork and amazing craftsmanship from our past. The grounds and garden show many of Ohio’s native wildflowers.
We were very pleased for the opportunity to attend. The State of Ohio has just received the Gold Medal award for having the finest state park system of any state.
Learn more about CMP’s State Directors, located across the country to boost junior marksmanship programs, at https://thecmp.org/training-tech/state-director/.