Athens, OH - Sep. 12/13

[slim]

What an awesome weekend! I'm finally now caught up on my sleep enough where I can post something... but I have to get to work! Feel free to share your experience and I'll be back tonight to post some more.

[MeanStreaker]

Yeah, I think I'm now caught up on my sleep as well.  Why you ask?  Allow me to offer you a hypothetical timeline:   

Midnight: The Guy rolls up to Athens Fish and Game Club

12:05: Hugs are exchanged, friends start catching up and after a short time turn to the business of Appleseed.

5:45 AM: Bill, our excellent chef for the weekend starts strolling towards the clubhouse. 

    MeanStreaker: "Couldn't sleep?"
    Bill: "Wasn't too bad."
    MeanStreaker:  "Well, better grab more shut eye.  Big day tomorrow."
    Bill: "Yep, I'm ready to start breakfast."
    MeanStreaker/Guy/Slim in unison: "WHAT TIME IS IT?!?!?!"

    ...

    "Well, no turning back now.  An hour of sleep will do more harm than good...  So as I was saying..."   


That (after a truly memorable evening around the campfire singing hymns with Junior Appleseeders) is how my weekend officially began................. And I wouldn't change a thing.




We all know that every Appleseed is a good Appleseed.  If you've worked with me, you've heard me amble up at some point in the morning sipping coffee saying, "Looks like a beautiful day to save the country." 

However, this one was special.

We all felt it.  Instructor and Student alike.



I wish I could describe it fully........... But I'd fail.  I tried to describe it fully late Sunday night to my wife and failed (from 11:30 to 2:00 AM  -- after very little sleep all weekend). Every Rifleman remembers when they first understand NPOA.  That first time it clicks and you not only understand it with your mind, but with your body.  I thought the journey ended there.  I was wrong. 

This weekend I found my Natural Point of Aim for the first time with my heart.  And I'm not letting that feeling get away.

The Appleseed Project can do mighty things that most would say are impossible.  Most of us have felt that.  If you haven't yet, you will.


I witnessed a community come together on a beautiful weekend.  Different families hugging each other in greeting.  Children playing tag and toasting marshmallows.  Inspirational songs of strength and persistence being sung in flickering shadows by tomorrow's leaders.  Strangers sharing supplies, ammo, food, and encouragement.  Riflemen being rewarded for long hours immersed in grit and determination, so they could now really begin learning........ 'MMMMmmmm.  This IS a tasty burger!".....  Everyone learning.  Everyone laughing.  Everyone getting the job done.  A thirteen year old Instructor in Training using sign language to make sure everyone on the line could understand the lessons.   Hearing three young Americans that know very well what they are about give a moving history presentation that upstaged the Guy. (Ever heard that before?)  Guy agreed.  Seeing a sea of Orange Hats run the line late Sunday that started the day shooting next to their parents and friends.  Having a heart to heart with a mother of six Appleseeders (all present..... again) that I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing with folks that I would have called a "best friend" on Friday, four days ago... even though I've only talked face to face with her three times.  Knowing that that family is my family.  My Appleseed family.










What else happened this weekend?  Hmmmm, let's see....... 

Ohio has a new Shoot Boss!  Congratulations to slim!!!

Ohio has a new Red Hat!  Congratulations to Luna!!!

Just as I can't describe what happened this weekend and how important it was to Ohio, I also can't describe the accomplishments of these two men and what it means for Ohio.

Huzzah!!!





We all know that every Appleseed is a good Appleseed.  Those that are on the trail a lot, also know that at some point past that double digit mark you sometimes scratch your head and think, "Was I in ______ in June or July?"

I do know one thing.  I was in Athens, OH on September 12-13......... and I'll never forget it.


It was special. 


It verified my Natural Point of Aim.  I will now trust it and execute in Cadence.


I sincerely thank every one of you for that.

[The Guy]

Words cannot discribe.

I will tell you that I realised, durring the History addition on Sunday noon, that I was glad to have done my bit first, as there was no way I wanted to follow what those three young adults said.  They were excelent. from content to delivery, all three giving a diferent part......

After they were done, I handed the two lacking an orange hat an oragne hat of their own, after admiting infront of the entire group that what they had done was not only excelent, but that they had absolutely blown me out of the water.

So rarely have I felt that the next generation was so well in hand, with youth like this, how could they not be.

I need to take those three on the road.  You all should have the oppritunity to hear what I did.

A blessing.

They even found my favorite hymm, and sang it for me Sunday am.

Just a blessing.

When all Appleseeds are like the one I witnessed this last weeked, we will be on the home stretch.

The "gloriously upstaged" Guy

[Ishy]

Yes...a truly indescribable Appleseed...one I'm not soon to forget.  What an honor having The Guy, Meanstreaker, Dinky, and Slim running the show!  What a privilege it was seeing Luna get his red hat!  Four Riflemen!  And seven new orange hats!!!  How exciting!  It was wonderful having Appleseed's best instructors all at the country's best shooting range with all my best friends with me on the line.........okay, I'm a bit biased.    

Slim did an excellent job as shoot boss.  His "Secret Slim Plan" was pretty incredible as well!     Hooters Billy drove all the way from northern Indiana to present me his orange hat on Sunday.  What a surprise!  My dear friends Erin & Calvin Robe and I got to share a bit of Revolutionary War history we've gathered this summer.  "Haley" and "Sukey/Phil" moved the Guy so much he gave them orange hats right then and there!    

Well, I can't begin to cover every exciting detail of the weekend.  It was the funnest (of the three!) Appleseed(s) I've ever been to and probably ever will attend.  Praise the Lord.

Here are some pix.


Ishy

[DryFire]

I had a feeling this weekend that I was missing out on one awesome shoot.  I am so glad to hear that you all had an awesome time, and I am saddened that the wife and I missed out on the one of a kind Appleseed fellowship. 7 New orange hats eh? That is some serious seventh stepping you all did. If the young persons presentation of history was anything like the sample I received in Miamisburg last month I only wish I could have been there for it. You can rest assured I was thinking of you all though and I can't wait for this weekend in Miamisburg and then Halloween in Athens.

DryFire

[Luna]

This was more than an event, I found it to be an experience I will never forget.
I was honored to be presented my red hat by The Guy.  Thank you Meanstreaker and Slim for all the help and support

Starting the weekend with songs by the fire on a crystal clear Friday night set the tone for the entire weekend. 

I used the word "inspirational" a number of times this weekend and had a difficult time explaining to friends the impact this weekend had on me.

The presentaion by 3 young Americans was awesome.  They set an example for all that we should stand proud as we educate others on the history of this great country.  I was proud to be there to see their presentation.

Hooters Billy displayed the dedication of this program by driving in to present Ishy with her Orange Hat.

Seth displays persentance and desire to earn his Rifleman patch....then steps up to call the line.... a fine young American man.

The facilities at Athens are incredible and I want pass along my thanks to George and Billy.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone again soon on the Appleseed trail.

[MeanStreaker]

This could not have been possible without the hard work of GeorgeT behind the scenes and at the club.  Who got Appleseed scheduled there?  George T.  Who does all the preparation before each event?  George T.  Who BUILT A BERM to better suit Appleseed's needs?  Well, that would be George T.  Who arranges lunch to be brought in?  Who provides the firewood?  Who scheduled us Ohio's first IBC?

Many thanks George to you, Bill, and all of the other wonderful volunteers at Athens Fish and Game for going over and above time and time again.

[Chippy]

I finally got to sort through all my pictures from the weekend and here is the result.  I've posted some here, but for anyone who would like to see more, follow this link to my flickr page (115 Photos!!!):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30447791@N07/sets/72157622262514577/detail/

(Note: On flickr, you can click on any picture to enlarge it, and from there use the tiny picture icons and scroll bar on the right to click through the entire set).

A big big THANK YOU to all the instructors and helpers who put so much of their time into this program! This weekend was very special. It was so much fun being able to see former instructors again as well as meet quite a few new ones! And now with three siblings who received orange hats this weekend, and four more orange hat instructors who live down the road from me (Red Nek Engr, Ishy, Lyberty, and Seth), I am sure to get ALL the expert help I could ever need!!!

Chippy

[Gordon]

The high point of the weekend for me was definitely the "extra" history presentations by Erin & Calvin Robe (?) and Ishy. The topics themselves were important and fascinating: The moral rightness of the American Revolution, and the stories of Nathan Hale and Nancy Hart aka "Wahatchee". But even more, the delivery made by these three teenagers matched the quality of ANY presentation I've seen. The Guy wasn't kidding when he mentioned the difficulty in following them! The applause was long, ending standing and cheers. I mean it was amazing, truly lump-in-the-throat inspiring. I'm sure I speak for the over-40 crowd when I say that when we see youth with such excellence of vision and ability.

I must also mention the local hospitality. The club provided the clubhouse, supper, breakfast, campsite with plenty of wood --- several folks made a lot of effort to make it a good weekend logistically. And it was. THANKS!

-FM

[CarrieB]

Any chance we could convince those 3 young folks to come to the July 2010 meetup in NC to give their presentation and inspire everyone?
It would be so cool if we could have someone on hand videotape the presentations at their local Appleseeds, so when there's one that really knocks everyone's socks off, it can be uploaded and shared for all to enjoy.

[slim]

Any chance we could convince those 3 young folks to come to the July 2010 meetup in NC to give their presentation and inspire everyone? It would be so cool if we could have someone on hand videotape the presentations at their local Appleseeds, so when there's one that really knocks everyone's socks off, it can be uploaded and shared for all to enjoy.

They're all IITs, so I'll encourage them to go to the ID Jamboree in NC if possibly they can squeeze some more history into their wonderfully wordy futures.

As far as getting it on video.... well, we could. Or, you could come see it in person!