AAR: Chaplin, CT August 28-29, 2010

[mike93lx]

SB- Todd (Cortjestir)
SBIT- Mike (Mike93lx)
Redhat- Tom (TOMINCT)
IIT's- Tyler (tvrolyk1), Dan (2paranoid)

Riflemen- 4

New IIT's- Glenn and Phil

Another great Chaplin Appleseed under our belts and it was yet another hot one!  Saturday was nice and in the mid 80's, but when we got up into the mid 90's on Sunday, it definitely took a toll, but the group stuck with it and kept pushing for more AQT's.  A Rifleman Persists!

Congrats to all of our new Riflemen, Glenn (222), Phil (210, soon followed by a 222 also), Sue (211), and Jerry (216)!  Just last week, I made a trip to the Old North Bridge and stocked up on water, and boy was I glad.  Phil got a little dousing and Sue even asked for one since it was so hot.   

Glenn and Phil, both repeat Appleseeders, stepped up and took the Orange Hat.  Congrats to both of you!   

We had some great presentations of the three strikes on Saturday and Dan gave a fantastic Dangerous Old Men at lunch on Sunday.

One of the shooters, Matt, was generous enough to bring his Brown Bess musket and bayonet on Sunday for everyone to check out.  With how imposing that setup is, I can imagine what it looked like to see a column of Redcoats carrying those as they marched on Lexington.  I'm sure it made quite the impact!

Thanks to everyone for sticking with it.  I can speak for the whole instructor crew and say that we had a great time and hope to see you all again (with friends and family, of course!  ). 

[Phixeon]

Sunday was awesome! When and where will pictures be posted?

-Phil

[mike93lx]

Phil, thanks for coming out again and stepping up for that Orange Hat!

The pictures should be up soon (hopefully today) and they'll be posted here.  Make sure to check back tonight or tomorrow.

[Phixeon]

Will do!

[CortJestir]

Phil! Welcome to Appleseed. Thanks again for stepping up and helping us out here in CT. Lookin' forward to setting up our first UCONN shoot with ya!  

This was a great Appleseed. Mike93lx did such a great job running the show that the Chaplin folks are clambering for more already!

Some highlights for me:

• Susan hitting 209's and 208's and then finally breaking through with a 211
• Benjamin steadily increasing his skills with every string and taking the instruction to heart. It showed with his marks in the 180's
• Our youth shooters who, despite the full force of the sun bearing down on them for two days straight, were able to stick it out until the end
• One of the best deliveries of Dangerous Old Men that I've heard yet by 2paranoid
• Escorting our special guest, candidate for US Congress CT-2 Janet Peckinpaugh, on morning of Day 1. She and her campaign manager had a great time and only had good things to say about us. Upon her leaving she said to me, "I love what you're doing here. I love the message you send of civic involvement and knowing our history." She and her guests also had a great time throwing a few rounds down range.   And yes, I have dispatched a letter to her opponent along with an invitation and schedule of upcoming AS events.  
  
• And of course, 4 Riflemen and 2 new IITs

Oh man, and if you ever get the chance, head on down to Ribbits on Route 6. They have some of the best service that side of the Connecticut River.

Now, let's see if I can dig up some photos 'round here... If any of you reading this have any others to add, feel free to post 'em up.

Firing Line


Rifleman Glenn takes a patch


Rifleman Phil scores an exact 210 and gets a douse of Old North Bridge Water


Rifleman Susan claiming her patch after 2 days of persistence and determination


Rifleman Jerry takes a patch using his boltie


Co-winning teams of the Parker's Revenge Challenge


Our persistent Youth Shooters


The mark of a good day

[mike93lx]

Thanks for the pics.  I really need to remember to take off those ear muffs for pictures...looking like a tall, goofy Mickey Mouse isn't my thing   

[The Log]

Yes, despite the heat, and despite only managing to make it to Sunday, another great CT Appleseed. Thanks, CJ for the kind words about my DOM - I've been looking forward to doing that ever since the first time I heard you tell the tale back in East Granby last November. Knew I'd be an instructor someday even at my first AS, I suppose.

My only regret - not getting to douse my wife. That 210 eluded her again. Looks like we're going to run some AQTs on the new "Capt. Isaac Davis Memorial Designated Appleseed Range" I just set up in the backyard today. Wish I had thought to take some AQTs home with us, though.

Regrets aside, a spectacular AS, and very well run, Mike. It should satisfy my "need for 'Seed" me until the Pumpkinseed shoot at BTR on Halloween weekend.

[vernic82]

Sorry I missed you'll with my Dad situation......looks like it was one for the books!

Great job on the 4 new Riflemen!

Congrats to my friends Phil & Glen as well as to Sue and Jerry!

[tvrolyk1]

I second the service at Ribbits. Top notch! By the way, my lip is healing well.