After the Hartford (Conn.) Courant editorialized against a $100,000 grant for the business club from the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development as “a poor decision and tone-deaf to the state’s fiscal and social realities,” National Club Association President/CEO Henry Wallmeyer charged the newspaper with relying on “clichéd and obsolete characterizations” and ignoring private clubs’ contributions and important roles.

After David Van Auken of Bass Lake CC earned a benefit from the Melrose Leadership Academy earlier this year, his son Kurt was one of 20 winners of grants awarded to children of the association’s membership.