Well folks what a fine Appleseed there was in Fresno this weekend. We had a fine group of the California Instructor Corp move north into the central valley on Friday. I must say what a beautiful valley it was with rolling green hills and small streams running through it. It even had a family of beavers building a dam at the entrance to the range. How prophetic that such a small animal can make such a difference. They made this dry land, into a lush and thriving garden. As we at Appleseed try to plant our orchard of apple trees.
I must say we put the seed in the ground in Fresno and I am quite sure it will grow into a truly fruitful one. We saw that over 60 people came out Saturday. Who were all eager and ready to learn, and learn they did. With seven riflemen (too many to count just shy of 210), getting the score and two of them stepping up to the plate and putting on the orange hat. What a truly fruitful weekend, and what a privilege to meet such fine Americans.
HM
What a tremendous weekend. Fresno, great turnout, great people and good fun had by everyone.
As well as our new Riflemen and RifleWomen and our new IIT's it was also my privilege to present a Red Hat to Camljr on Saturday.
It is truly an honor and a privilege that we get to go out and share the heritage and the marksmanship skills with our fellow Americans around this great land and especially the Great State of California. Whatever mess we've allowed our politicians to make of it, events like this show that there is still a solid core of people left who will not allow this to continue. Appleseed, the root solution to all our problems.
I took a few pictures which I have'nt had a chance to sort out so I've just dumped them all here (http://www.terryism.com/photos/Fresno). Take what you want and use them wherever. Enjoy!
Cheers
Phil "V"
I got up to Fresno Rifle and Pistol Club Friday before the sun went down and the scenery in Fresno was absolutely beautiful. It reminded me of the rolling green hills of Ireland.....complete with our very own Irish woman.....as Savageshootr and her carpool buddy MrBill were already at the range. We met Jerry and Gary, two fine gentlemen that manage the range. Let me tell you, these folks were top notch. The amount of effort they put into local promotion was amazing. The printed out fliers and posters and put them all over town and at the range. They also organized a lunch tent complete with hot dogs, chili, sodas, water, and chips. I can't thank them enough and it is by their promotional efforts that this Appleseed had such great attendance. Since we had enough daylight left in the day, we headed up to the 5 firing lanes provided by the range. We proceeded in setting up the target backers measured out the firing lanes and saw that we had room for 70 Shooters. As the dusk turn into night, we waved goodnight to the resident beaver, left the range and headed off to hotel, where we met up with all the other instructors.
It was a good thing we had room for 70 shooters, because as we set up shop, hung flags and banners, and started the check-in process we greeted 63 Appleseeders! We had to use all 5 firing lanes. It was a good thing we had 10 instructors that answered the muster call, as we were able to put 2 per lane and with help of a few return attendees to help clear rifle, we managed to cover all the lines. I was on line #1 and had the honor off sharing in the first event as an instructor of Garand56. Line #2 had our resident Brit, "V" and his trusty sidekick Camljr. Lane #3 was covered by MrBill and DesertDog. Lane #4 had HollywoodMarine at the helm with Cal 7.62 watching his back and Bringing up lane #5 was the trusty Savageshootr and Arc. What a great group of attendees! We had folks from all ages from Dylan, our youngest to Mr. Workatin, a very Dangerous Old Man, and quite a few ladies to round things out nicely.
After the intro, safety rules, line commands and the like, we split up into our respective firing lanes and proceeded to forge Riflemen/Riflewomen. Saturday morning Redcoats were an eye opener for some, but with a little encouragement, we went on to the dreaded 1" squares. After squares, we broke for lunch and went to the food stand set up by the range members....thanks again guys......and then presented the story of April 19th 1775. 1st strike, 2nd strike, 3rd strike.....and more. We were met with nods of approval and confirmation of what we already know......this country of ours is starving for its Heritage and the good folks of Fresno seemed to enjoy and find encouragement in hearing the story.
After lunch, it was back to Classification AQT's and then on to QDAQT's. When the dust settled, we had 1 Rifleman on lane #1.....Nick, son of Neal, proved himself to be a man among men as he posted a 215. We finished the day with another Redcoat and had quite a bit of improvement. We presented the Rifleman patch and finished the day with a benediction and sent our weary Appleseeders home for the day with a reminder to clean their rifles and to not touch their sites.
After a hearty meal at Denny's, our Instructor Core retired to the motel for an outstanding after action meeting to set up strategy for Sunday and get a good night's rest.
Sunday dawned crisp and clear and after a little breakfast we headed off to the range. We had 27 folks show back up at the range and after a little review, we consolidated onto 2 firing lanes and started the day with another Red Coat. What a difference a day of instruction and a little rest can make! There was much improvement and after an additional set of 1" squares for those that switched rifles, it was of to the anvil of the AQT to forge some more Rifleman. And forge we did! By the end of the day we had 6 more breaking the 210 barrier including our newest Riflewoman Juliette! Standing among the Rifleman were Neal, father of Nick, Troy, Patrick, George, and, joining his woman, Dexter! We ended the event with a salute to the Founders with another Redcoat and proceeded to clean up.
We gathered for the last time that weekend to present Rifleman patches, Rifleman rockers and the coveted California Rockers. We explained the IIT program and handed out an orange hat to Neal as he will be helping at the Lemoore Appleseed. As we were handing out targets and CMP certs, Dexter stepped up and asked, "who do I talk to to get one of those orange hats?" and so we stopped everyone in their tracks and presented him one right then and there. I already received a pm from "doubled" this morning saying that he has signed up for the IBC in Piru next weekend and that Juliette will be coming with him as she is now interested in becoming an instructor too!
I can't say enough about the friendly folks at the range and the wonderful people of Fresno. It seems we made an impression as we have been asked to come back to this wonderful range and are currently looking at three more dates for the 2009 Appleseed year. I'm already looking forward to coming back! Thanks again to all the instructors for stepping up and making this a memorable Appleseed not only for this great group of Appleseeders, but also for me.
Is there a bad Appleseed?
Another great weekend with great shooting, history and people. I thought we would get 10 rifleman the way we started on Sun. Josh and Richard were right there and I know they will get theirs soon.
I enjoyed working with Mr. Bill on Sat, it was a challenge, but that's what makes you better. It gave me good practice for Ridgecrest when it will be just rock-chucker and I all weekend!
Central and Northern CA is exploding! Hollywood and Cal 7.62 stopped to get us Starbucks on Sun morning and there was a "yuppie" looking couple in there complaining about the price of ammo. Our state is on the upswing.
DD
Amazing Appleseed in Fresno! Met a lot of excellent folks, and had a great time while doing it.
Thanks to all who attended. The camaraderie was good, and it went fairly smooth.
Thanks to everyone of the other instructors for helping learn what was needed to finally step into the red hat. O0
I was not expecting it yet, but glad to step up. Special thanks to "V" for being such a great model to learn from.
Well, the History got me again... I mean to say, glad I had hydrated earlier cause I lost some moisture during the history... :'( :'(
Mr. Bill and I had a "kumbaya" moment, and I had to walk off... as Dylan, a very sharp 6 year old was checking me out at the time.
Bob 210 is a master at making the History matter to folks... there was some silent moments that were so quiet that it drove the point home by allowing some reflection on what it was like back then, and the sacrifices made for all of us.... ok, gotta stop... :'(
Awesome shoot, I had a great time instructing some good folks on the line. A special KUDOS to April, who had not shot a rifle in 5 years, and never anything more than holding it to make it go bang. Very close on the AQT, knocking on the door. She cleaned the redcoat on Sunday evening!!! And she did it with a loaner rifle... The same rifle that I qualified rifleman on in Piru back in August last year. Way to go, April.
Congrats to all the new riflemen, and women, Getting that rifleman patch is not an easy task, but you were up to it and overcame adversity to obtain it... you all are an asset to the program as I am sure you will promote the program well. and to all those that "stepped up" in to that orange hat, you deserve special praise...WELCOME ABOARD! :~
Anyway, here are some more pics of the shoot... enjoy.
CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO BLOW IT UP... USE THE RIGHT AND LEFT ARROW KEYS TO MOVE THE PICTURE. SORRY THEY ARE SO BIG, forgot to down size them.
Hey all,
Sounds like a rock n roll Cali weekend again!! O0 10 instructors on 5 lines simultaneously!! That is a new high for Cali, if I'm not mistaken.....job well done, folks! <:) @@) :~
And more RM's, & IIT's!!! Awesome work!! O0 This is the sort of stuff that makes the rest of the country look over their shoulder in amazement and ask "How?!?"
Cam, you must be gettin' a little older.....getting leaks like that....they happen...and don't worry about them, they make no inference at all to anything important, other than to show you care.....deeply.
in regards to: "as Dylan, a very sharp 6 year old was checking me out at the time., figure this....that moment may be the 1st time in that young fellows life he has seen a grown man show how deeply and strongly he cared about something.....it could make for a great memory for him.....
never fear from that...... ;)
And, BTW, congrats on your hat change!!! O0 <:) O0
Look forward to seeing these folks next week @ the IBC.....
Great shoot, all!!
LLP
Excellent 'Seed as usual. I'm coming to realize that as California Appleseed expands north from it's humble beginnings in Southern, that we have only just begun to scratch the surface of the depth of people that will be future attendees, and how strong the culture is all over California.
Yes Camljr and I had our leaky eyed "kumbaya" moment, knowing what Bob 210 was going to say next. John Adams was "The Man". Yes the silence afterword was deafening.
What a beautiful range! Next time I want to stay an extra day and shoot there myself. I was really eying the 800yd line in back when we got the range tour on Friday afternoon.
Savage Shootr heard from one of the range staff that there were beavers in the creek on the entrance road to the range. Friday night we saw one of them swimming around, and Sunday night we checked out their dam and gnawed tree. Very industrious little critters, I must say.
Cheers
MrBill
More Fresno Pictures
And a few more pictures
Lots of talking pics, did you get any shooting done?
:)
HAS ANYONE ADDED UP HOW MANY SHOOTS CA HAS HAD SINCE IT'S FIRST AS LAST APRIL? YOU GUYS AND GALS ARE REALLY DOING A GREAT JOB OUT THERE. NICE LOOKING RANGE.
I think we are at about 24....that includes IBC's. :)
Quote from: eaglescouter on March 17, 2009, 10:57:45 PM
Lots of talking pics, did you get any shooting done?
:)
What like this (http://www.terryism.com/photos/Fresno/img00058.html#img00058) or this (http://www.terryism.com/photos/Fresno/img00017.html#img00017) or this (http://www.terryism.com/photos/Fresno/img00031.html#img00031)
Quote from: V on March 18, 2009, 12:52:56 PM
Quote from: eaglescouter on March 17, 2009, 10:57:45 PM
Lots of talking pics, did you get any shooting done?
:)
What like this (http://www.terryism.com/photos/Fresno/img00058.html#img00058) or this (http://www.terryism.com/photos/Fresno/img00017.html#img00017) or this (http://www.terryism.com/photos/Fresno/img00031.html#img00031)
Oops, I was so focused on the quality of MrBills photos that I missed those. I guess I need to work on my powers of observation :(
Juliette is a definite this weekend for IBC and becoming an instructor.
had an awesome time with my first seed shoot. thanks for all of the instruction, coaching and patience to all of the instructors, especially savageshootr and arc.
thought i knew a lot about shooting coming into appleseed, boy was i wrong!! i came out with more knowledge on how to shoot than i was expecting. the information i received filled in a lot of gaps that i had and learned a lot of new information to boot!! I'd say it was a great two days, not only with the camaraderie you share with everyone there, but when you also learn something new.
thanks again for the help and knowledge that you pass down. it is definitely priceless.
I was wondering on the way back home why we didn't have appleseed until now.
Had a great time at the shoot, can't wait for the next one.
The next day I wore my appleseed shirt to work. I work as a cable splicer for the phone company, so Im always in the field. One of the customers commented on the shirt and told me he was suppose to go, but had something else interfere. Needless to say after my conversation with him, he and some friends will definately be at the next one. I think our numbers will be bigger for the next Fresno shoot.
Wish I could make it to the IBC this weekend. :'(
Hey WW2
Welcome to the forum!! Congratulations on your Rifleman patch. You will be missed at the IBC. You will have to learn the old fashioned way, on the trail.
Small world, running into someone that would have been at the AS had something not interferred. Great job making sure he will make the next one. ^5
~SS
Congratulations to all the New California Riflemen!!!
The California heartland is putting up some impressive numbers in, just inpiring.
My hat is off to everyone!
Is this a great way to save a country or what? :) Traveling with your fellow instructors to far away exotic locations, (unless they, get lost) ::) Hanging out with people you know you can rely on & teaching folks how to shoot a rifle like they know what they're about <:) Feeling the camraderie with like minded americans after you wake them up to their heritage. &)
Great range, great scenery, great people, great shooting. :~ I can't wait to go back again!
Congratulations to all the new riflemen! (And woman!) O0
Good to see Camljr traded his dusty old orange hat for a spiffy new red one! ;)
I'd also like to welcome aboard those who took on the orange hat of destiny. O0 <:) BTW, Good job Garand 56!!
And for those who didn't get the patch, don't forget, "a rifleman persists" :~ I was pleased to see how much many of you shooters had improved by Sun. afternoon. Looking forward to seeing you again.
All in all a wonderful time. I still smile when I think about it. :)
Here's a few pics
Nick getting his rifleman patch
Camljr getting his red hat
Cinde, Neal, Deanna, Jimmy and a few other shooters who's names escape my memory at the moment. ::)
I was curious as to why, of all the pic's posted by Camljr, #026 got the most views. So I viewed it too. ;D
-fb
Well, the flag is still in, making dry fire difficult, and the sling looks a tad loose but other than that everything looks fine... :)
Its a gun thing, they're probably all looking at the camo pants... %)