Wow, what a weekend! Another great shoot in the history book.
We had a great group of students, and a whole mob of instructors. Saturday was busy with points of instruction, great history, and even an AQT or two. On Sunday, we cranked out more AQT's, taught KD, then went over to the 200-yard range to let the students smack steel with some centerfire rifles. We also had three re-enactors, shooting their muskets and rifles. George was kind enough to let some students (and instructors) fire his Brown Bess.
Plenty of 1-on-1 instruction was happening this weekend. We were operating two lines, which was easy with all the instructors present. All of the students brought very teachable attitudes, and the results proved it. We had a few repeat Riflemen, and a few new Riflemen, and several more knocking at the door.
Thanks to everyone for coming out. Tom and Kyle were only planning to come on Saturday, but had so much fun they came back Sunday, too! Ryan re-qualified, Derek earned his patch, and Kate shot a 199. I know you'll crack 210 next time, Kate!
John B scored Rifleman with smooth technique and a bolt-action .22. John R re-qualified.
George B was so hot, he caught fire. Luckily, George's close encounter with the propane heater resulted only in a singed shirt, and nothing more, thanks to BeeFree's quick reflexes extinguishing the flames. Not to make light of the situation, George, I'm sorry about your shirt, but the nickname Fireball comes to mind..... :o Nice shooting!
I hope lots of shooters and instructors post up. On with some pics....
Raising the colors first thing in the morning:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01697.jpg)
Miki doing a down 'n dirty IMC:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01676.jpg)
BeeFree and Grindstone teaching seated positions:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01678.jpg)
BeeFree teaching some history:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01684.jpg)
Sandy getting extra attention:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01686.jpg)
Lots of personal attention:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01691.jpg)
Teaching standing:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01689.jpg)
Superheat with some of our youngsters - Colin, Evan, Jacob and Kyle:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01700.jpg)
George's singed shirt:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01698.jpg)
Where are those Redcoats? Come get some!
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01706.jpg)
George Z squeezing off a shot with his Brown Bess:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01704.jpg)
Some of Morgan's Riflemen?
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01713.jpg)
Evan and Kyle smacking steel at 200 yards:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01716.jpg)
Gibson showing good form with a lefty AR-15, Miki watching closely:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01728.jpg)
The Shoot Boss gets some trigger time as Miki works with Colin:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01726.jpg)
Derek, one of our new Riflemen, with BeeFree:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01731.jpg)
A proud papa with our youngest Rifleman:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01732.jpg)
Our Instructor mob:
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s146/variseal/Lapeer%20102911/DSC01692.jpg)
L to R: Swamp Thing, Usul, Heartbreaker, Grindstone, TenThumbs, BeeFree, Superheat, Miki, SteelThunder, intheburbs, Waveman
+1000 to burbs' summary. Great venue (let's hear it for heaters on the line!!), GREAT students, great instructors cadre.
The enthusiasm of Ron and his 2 boys was infectious (Collin was still running to the target and back to the line at 2 pm on Sunday). Tom and Kyle became MORE enthusiastic the longer they were there. Sandy worked and worked and worked. Everyone worked hard, improved and had smiles on their faces. The reenactors were priceless...the BOOM of the flintlock and sulphur smell of the blackpowder was unbeatable.
...and I learned to READ THE DANG SCRIPT! ;D
Congrats to Derek on earning his patch
And Punk, I swear she is gonna be running things one day. Nice job! O0
Lapeer is always a happening. Looks like everyone had fun. See everyone back there in December.
Another safe and successful Appleseed event in the books.
The TV stayed off, the couches were left empty and lonely, a fantastic group of Americans gathered to learn the art of marksmanship and some important history.
And the founders smiled.
Congratulations to all the shooters whom all showed great progress and improvement. We gained a few more riflemen and a few even came back to reconfirm their already high level skills.
And did I mention that my 8 year old daughter Aria (Punk) shot a 216? No? Well, let me say it again (since I'm telling everybody I see, whether I know them or not) my daughter shot a rifleman's score!! ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^ Yes, it was all prone on sandbags, but proud dad doesn't care. Huzzah!
I'm pretty bummed put that I won't be around for next December's shoot but I can't wait to get back again soon, hopefully in the spring.
Let's all do this again sometime.
ST
Yes, Another wonderful weekend at Lapeer. It seemed like a reunion of sorts. Special thanks to George Z., John H. and George B. for wearing their period dress and demostrating the use of a Brownbess and early rifles. BOYS NEXT TIME LETS MAKE THAT BUCKET SHOT. I know you guys can do it.
Steve a returning appleseeder who brought his grandson said to me 'I've shot my whole life but I WAS NOT A RIFLEMAN UNTIL I WENT THROUGH AN APPLESEED'. Apparently, he regularly beats his friends in small bore shooting and they don't know why.
Tom and Kyle, I can't wait to see you both with rifleman patches.
Kate next time bring lots of antihistimines. ;D
Sandy, I hope to see you back soon... bring Fireball with you.
Colin, Evan and Ron; which one of you guys will be the first to earn your patch? You all learned so much this weekend.
Cadre nice job.
Fireball
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/October%2029%2030%202011%20Lapeer/P1010626.jpg)
Prone instruction
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/October%2029%2030%202011%20Lapeer/P1010618.jpg)
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/October%2029%2030%202011%20Lapeer/P1010636.jpg)
History
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/October%2029%2030%202011%20Lapeer/P1010629.jpg)
Punk, junior rifleman
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/October%2029%2030%202011%20Lapeer/P1010660.jpg)
Derek Rifleman
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/October%2029%2030%202011%20Lapeer/P1010659.jpg)
Kyle with brownbess
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/October%2029%2030%202011%20Lapeer/P1010656.jpg)
Tom and Kyle
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/October%2029%2030%202011%20Lapeer/P1010639.jpg)
FLAT WATER JOHNNY RECONFIRMED HE NEEDS AND ORANGE HAT
(http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n488/peterjangel/October%2029%2030%202011%20Lapeer/P1010632.jpg)
This weekend In Lapeer was my first as an instructor and I was quite nervous. I so desperately wanted to do a good job. I believe fullheartedly in what this organization is all about and have been impressed with the safety aspect from day one. O0
Beefree, a huge thank you to for being so gentle with me, It really put me at ease!
Working with everyone, students and instructors, was a thrill. I really hope to see you back in December to GET your rifleman patch. So many were so close.
These skills do work, and I am proud to be a part of it!
Heartbreaker (Ruby)
Another great weekend! Safe rifles, tight groups, great people, and all sorts of skill levels!
The period guys and gear were great. Steve and John nailing rifleman scores with bolt actions :o
Thanks for posting pictures, see you back in December :)
Quote from: SteelThunder on November 01, 2011, 12:39:59 PMGreat venue (let's hear it for heaters on the line!!)
Shhhhh. That's supposed to be our little secret. Those southern Appleseeders think we're fighting harsh winters up here. We have to make 'em think we EARN those Winterseed patches. >:D
REDACTED ;D Dang it, leave it to the new guy to let slip the secret sauce
You crack me up.
I was dreading running the second line driving all the way up there (you know how I feel about shootbossing, even pretend shootbossing like that) - and 15 minutes after I arrived, you all had me laughing, and I had a great time the whole weekend long. I even enjoyed the driving.
I want to thank Cool George (to keep him separate from George-On-Fire) again for the history lesson afterwards on how fast you can melt lead to make balls the correct size for your musket. TenThumbs and Grindstone - thanks for all you did to keep the line running smoothly, and especially for a great Strike, Eric! Heartbreaker, it was a pleasure working with you, and I hope we get to do it again soon! Actually, I want to see you and the rest of the crew at the IBC in January. As for the rest of the crew, I'm only sorry that with two lines running, I didn't get to spend as much time with everyone as I had hoped. For the shooters on my line, John, George, John, Ryan, Derrik, Kate - you were all a blessing to me - I think I learned far more from you all than you could have from me. Y'know, you'd look great in orange/red/green hats... Congrats on all the fine Rifleman scores, and Kate you are soooo close, one more shoot should push you over the top. And Veronica and Maddie - NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo!
BeeFree
Quote from: BeeFree on November 03, 2011, 11:55:39 PM
.....and 15 minutes after I arrived, you all had me laughing, and I had a great time the whole weekend long.....
Hmmm....we're slacking. We'll try to get you laughing quicker next time. It's kinda fun, you always seem to show up grumpy. !@#) :))
Quote from: intheburbs on November 04, 2011, 04:12:40 PM
Quote from: BeeFree on November 03, 2011, 11:55:39 PM
.....and 15 minutes after I arrived, you all had me laughing, and I had a great time the whole weekend long.....
Hmmm....we're slacking. We'll try to get you laughing quicker next time. It's kinda fun, you always seem to show up grumpy. !@#) :))
A morning person I am NOT. In fact, according to Mr.BeeFree, I am not even human until after my first cup of tea is gone.
BeeFree