New Martinsville, WV Sept 18-19, 2010

[brickhouse]

And then there were four…... Stinson, Beckley, Eleanor, and now New Martinsville

The inaugural shoot on the newest West by-God Virginia Appleseed range went off without a hitch.

New Martinsville is in northern part of the state just below the middle finger of West Virginia (if you don’t know what I am talking about, ask a West Virginian). WV’s newest DAR is within easy driving distance from Clarksburg, Morgantown, Parkersburg, and Wheeling. The range has ample, level grassy areas for camping, potable water and plenty of parking within a few scant yards of the firing line.

Saturday dawned slightly overcast and soggy but the sun broke thru within seconds of wvmmfalcon’s welcoming speech. Soon the ground was dry and we were treated to one of the nicest late summer weekends this area has to offer. Eight shooters took to the firing line to get at them ‘Redcoats.’ Among the shooters were a mother with her nine year old son and a father with his two young adult sons. Also, throughout the weekend many assorted spectators came, watched the paper perforation exercises, chatted, asked questions and left with new knowledge of the Appleseed program. MacMcM and myself assisted with various aspects of instruction.

Our nine year old shot well enough to cause the adults in the group to struggle to keep apace. Shootboss, wvmmfalcon, provided comprehensive instruction and kept things moving along. My personal highlight of the week occurred late Saturday afternoon. One of the young adults expressed concern that we might not have time to tell the third strike before the end of the day. He was uncertain that he could return on Sunday and did not want to miss out. [You just know that John Adams is smiling in heaven. ]

Six shooters returned Sunday for the AQT grind. Correctly sensing fatigue on the part of the shooters, wvmmfalcon ran a fun shoot about mid-afternoon. Shooters were asked to affirm when they had obtained NPOA on a star target. Then their sights were blocked and the shooters sent five rounds downrange in rifleman’s cadence. The mother of our nine year old was most consistently accurate and took home a “Bloody British butchery” poster as a prize.

After final benediction, our nine year old received his youth patch with much excitement and many grins [pictures please]. The first New Martinsville shoot --- a complete success.

[Chrome]

Fantastic.  I was very disappointed to have to miss a shoot right in my own backyard.  I think that location will serve well.  It can draw from Ohio, as well as Northern WV.

Later,
Chrome...

[MacMcM]

My first AS as an IIT has come and gone. I got to be Line Boss for 2 days, I delivered the safety rules, six steps, part of the DOM, turned in PC 1, and had probably the best time of anyone there!
Wvmmfalcon did great as SB for his first solo effort, and Brickhouse recounted the 3 strikes like a pro!
The attendees were attentive and asked questions during all 3 strikes and DOM/W.

I have some pics as soon as I get to a pc to upload them.

To say Iam anxious for the AS trail to lead me up other highways in the months to come would be an understatement.

MacMcM

[The Machine]

Falcon, brickhouse, and Mac; thanks to you all for successfully running our first shoot at this location.  I received some nice positive feedback from Falcon about the "seeds" that were planted at this one. It appears Appleseed in NW WV is positioned to shake things up in that region. 

I hope you can get the pics uploaded soon, Mac.

[MacMcM]

[Col. Morgan's Granddaughter]

Granny was there, with the new, purple laminate stocked Ruger 10/22 husband bought two weeks earlier. 
It was very demanding of this disabled, Social Security bait chick, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My young friend Lorie and son Nathan also enjoyed a fantastic experience.  Nathan is like a "firearms training sponge", a delightful youngster with a great future.
I could have come for the history lessons alone, and being direct descendant of Morgan Morgan, founder of the 201st Field Artillery in 1773 still in existence today and preparing to deploy to the middle east, it was like reliving history for me.
Thank you to all from Appleseed Project who made this event possible.

[MacMcM]

Cindy,

You were a joy to be around... As you well know, attitude is everything

I hope we can get your Gun Club "in the program" as they say! I am sure you and your buddies will be seen again on the Appleseed Trail.

I am sure Daniel Morgan was smiling LARGE when you and Lorie popped that shingle at 250yds!

See ya around,
MacMcM

[Col. Morgan's Granddaughter]

Huzzah Mac!

Thank you for the kind words.  And...thank you for the purple beads to match my rifle and rifle case.

I attempted to post more photos of Lorie and Nathan, etc. but can't seem to get it correct.

Am I doing something incorrect?

Cynthia

[MacMcM]

I am not good at pic posting. I use photobucket and cut/paste the img files here

[Col. Morgan's Granddaughter]

Mac,
I'm usually grand at cutting and pasting.  I managed to successfully upload one photo of several. Do not know where the other ones landed.

Perhaps I'll give cutting and pasting a try after the stuffed peppers have finished cooking.

Have a nice evening now,
Cynthia

[Col. Morgan's Granddaughter]

Lorie and Cynthia are "Shingle Shooters" at New Martinsville, WV.
Just try to wipe the grins off those faces 

[wvmmfalcon]

I am trying to post pics.

Brickhouse belting out the 3 strikes

[wvmmfalcon]

Cindi in Prone getting those Redcoats

[The Machine]

Brickhouse belting out the 3 strikes

I just wish Brickhouse was a little more animated with her presentation! 

Congratulations on moving up another level, Brickhouse...you probably thought it missed my radar. 

OctoGrannyWV...with a handle like that, you're going places in this outfit!    Thanks for coming out to this inaugural shoot at New Martinsville and sharing some commentary with pics. I hope we see you return to another one of our WV Appleseeds soon. Bring some more of the ladies with you, if you don't mind. Brickhouse and bbkf (from Charleston area) are getting very lonely being the only women instructors in WV, and I have a feeling you and your friends can eventually help them out. 

Thanks again to all, for the feedback and pics.

[Col. Morgan's Granddaughter]

Quote - I hope we see you return to another one of our WV Appleseeds soon. Bring some more of the ladies with you, if you don't mind.

Thanks Machine.  Lorie, Nathan and I will most likely be seen again at Appleseed, along with our friend Jill who also wants to get in on the excitement.  We are good at bringing women to shooting as seen in this photo of our last summer's Women On Target event.  Lorie, Jill and I, along with friends Doreen, Susan and Wendy, coach these events to lure women who have never experienced the shooting sports to give it a try. This event we hosted 31 women, and, due to lack of coaches and range space, were forced to turn away another 25.  Women want to learn
to shoot, and shoot well.  Of the 31 present, seven returned for more instruction via a NRA Basic Pistol Class (covers concealed carry also) just for the ladies.  They begin with a semi-automatic 22 pistol on bench, move to .38 on bench, then to .9mm standing (which nearly all cannot get enough of).  From there they progress to 22 bolt and lever action 22 rifles with peep sights, to 30.06 or 223 (both AR-15 style and bolt action), and finish with a taste of shooting clays with a 20 gauge shot gun.  It is stunning to see how quickly they take to it and how well they shoot from the beginning.  Last rifle clinic they, timid at first, sat down behind the 223's, wowed themselves and the instructors.  We moved all targets to 200 yards and just let them have at them because they were hitting everything we put up for them.  Then they repeated their accuracy with the shotguns as though they'd always done it.

Everyone leaves grinning from ear to ear and excited to learn more.  Lorie and I would like to bring Appleseed to our range, but that decision lies with the executive officers.  The attitude of our rifle club is to bring as many women into the shooting sports who will encourage their children to follow in their footsteps.  Sort of "the hand that rocks the cradle" mentality. 

Granny

See the proof that WOMEN ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING TO SHOOT, AND SHOOT WELL...

[Col. Morgan's Granddaughter]

By far, the best photo of the New Martinsville, WV Appleseed!

Pictured are Lorie and nine year old son Nathan.  Lorie grew up shooting and hunting, and Nathan has followed that tradition hunting with his mother and father from an early age.  Lorie told me she recalls taking him squirrel hunting with them as young as age four.  Last season Nathan took a deer with his bow as well as with rifle.

He loves to shoot.  He cannot seem to get enough of shooting.  He is a great study, always ready to learn, never afraid to attempt the new.

I love this photo of Lorie and Nathan at Appleseed.  After all, isn't this what it's all about?
You've not seen the last of Nathan, and I predict a Rifleman patch at an early age for this one.

[brickhouse]

Cindi, I agree with Frank; a name like OctoGrannyWV is a clear indication that you are "one of us" 

Lorie and I would like to bring Appleseed to our range, but that decision lies with the executive officers.  The attitude of our rifle club is to bring as many women into the shooting sports who will encourage their children to follow in their footsteps.  Sort of "the hand that rocks the cradle" mentality.

See the proof that WOMEN ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING TO SHOOT, AND SHOOT WELL...

If you and Lorie are interested; We should be able to organize a women only Appleseed without much trouble. You have a ready made target audience right at hand. And from what you said perhaps that approach would be very attractive to your fellow members.
 
(Of course we will have to scrutinize arrivals to make sure Nathan doesn't try to sneak in too.     We all know he is just dying for another chance to get at them targets.)

[brickhouse]

I just wish Brickhouse was a little more animated with her presentation!  Grin

hmmmmm.... that pic is mildly vulgar. I forget whose tender parts I imagined were in my grasp......

Congratulations on moving up another level, Brickhouse...you probably thought it missed my radar.

not a chance. I know that you miss nothing that goes on in WV Appleseed. You are the Godfather,  after all

[The Machine]

I just wish Brickhouse was a little more animated with her presentation!  Grin

hmmmmm.... that pic is mildly vulgar. I forget whose tender parts I imagined were in my grasp......

Congratulations on moving up another level, Brickhouse...you probably thought it missed my radar.

not a chance. I know that you miss nothing that goes on in WV Appleseed. You are the Godfather,  after all

hmmmmm.... that pic is mildly vulgar. I forget whose tender parts I imagined were in my grasp......

  You are a cheeky one!

not a chance. I know that you miss nothing that goes on in WV Appleseed. You are the Godfather,  after all

Godfather...lieutenants...Cosa Nostra...I might be part Italian, but we're talking two different organizations here!    I do my best to keep up on things, though.

What do you say about helping OctoGranny and those fine looking ladies out? Would you be up for running our first WV Ladyseed? Something for you to ponder. And you have my full blessings, BTW. 

Thanks for sharing the additional pictures and explanation of the all woman's shoot, OctoGranny. That's one of the many things I love about Appleseed; it's all inclusive, not exclusive. There's a place for everybody within our organization. We've had several families participate in our WV Appleseeds together, helping to perpetuate the heritage of our nation. I know if Nathan persists and puts into practice what he's learned, mom will be sewing a Rifleman patch on his clothing soon.   

In case you weren't aware of it; we have a WV board on this forum where we discuss many things and plan upcoming events: http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?board=223.0

Feel free to join in anytime! If you would like to pass along your town and county info to me, I'll gladly add you to our WV Members List: http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=6527.0

[Col. Morgan's Granddaughter]

Quote - (Of course we will have to scrutinize arrivals to make sure Nathan doesn't try to sneak in too.     We all know he is just dying for another chance to get at them targets.)

Nathan is always front and center, no matter what our Rifle Club event.  When we do Women On Target he is there for the day pulling and posting targets and cheerfully tending to any other chore ask of him.  It's pretty cool when you have a nine year old boy who will wear a Women On Target tee shirt without complaint.    Nathan does not care who is shooting as long as he can be included.

I get a bit nervous when the little stinker is sitting on the bench next to me at a Rimfire Match Shoot.  We stack up the bench and he holds his own with the big guys.  What a fine boy!

I know nothing of boys since I have five (yes 5!) daughters.  We have five grandaughters, and, at last, have been blessed with three grandsons.  The only difficult part is now that we have boys, I have no clue what to do with them!  Fortunately, we have no shortage of male role models to mould them.  See below our the next generation of riflemen (women) for our family.  Ava's daddy, FBI Academy graduate, armorer for Glock & Colt, police dept. weapons training officer, and all around gun lover and fantastic instructor, is ready to begin her training.  Not to worry, when she's with daddy and fellow officers at the range, she is always closely supervised.  She loves the "big booms", and, if you will notice, she's wearing her hearing protection.  Daddy bought matching pink muffs as Mother's Day gift for Ava and me.  Her first pink stocked 10/22 and pink Walther P-22 were purchased by daddy before her birth, as have her lifetime NRA membership and WV hunting/fishing license.  She has a new baby brother, and his lifetime NRA membership and WV licenses have also been purchased.  They will carry on the tradition, along with their young cousins.

[Col. Morgan's Granddaughter]

Please forgive my "oops moments" and duplicated photos.  I'm proud of my grandchildren, but seriously don't intend to repeatedly post the same photo.

I'm still learning to work with this site.

Machine, I will e-mail info to you.

[brickhouse]

Would you be up for running our first WV Ladyseed? Something for you to ponder. And you have my full blessings, BTW.

Absolutely, maybe spanner will agree to shoot boss.

[He always gets volunteered for these Ladyseeds since we ALL know that he is completely willing to sit back, say little and be non-intimidating.    Actually, I am pretty sure he prefers to be that way (as little human contact as possible ) ]

[sgtrock]

Brickhouse

I would like to Congratulate you on your advancement to Redhat,,, Job Well Done,,, I hope to see you on the the trail one of these days again!!!

sgtrock

[Col. Morgan's Granddaughter]

http://[color=purple][glow=red,2,300][b]i%20must%20add%20my%20congratulations%20to%20brickhouse! %20[/b]%20[/glow]%20[/color]

[Col. Morgan's Granddaughter]

I'm signing up for Remedial Blog Posting 101!
How embarrassing : (

Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS BRICKHOUSE!

Cindi

[brickhouse]

  Thanks Cindi!

What are your thoughts on a Ladyseed? It sounds like that might be a good way to introduce your gal-network to Appleseed.

Adorable little one, btw

[Col. Morgan's Granddaughter]

BRICKHOUSE...

Thanks.  We are proud grandparents.  I'm confident Miss Ava will be deep into training before age five.
Well, she is probably already in training with a faux gun with the father she has.  She's growing up, as my daughters, watching daddy polish leather for hours and clean his service pistol and other tools.  We know she's witnessing lots of safe shooting  .

I'm all over a LadySeed in WV! 

We will have to talk with Lorie to determine if a suitable location can be secured.  I'm not confident our rifle club
will come on board for this.  Would need to secure a location in this area.

Once the new year has begun we can think about setting a date, if we have a venue.  Our club sets the calendar in early January for the year.

All women instructors on the line is the best way to go around here based on my experience with Women On Target.
They are more comfortable about coming "green" into an all female class and they love it.

LadySeed would bring a good turn out in Clarksburg area if given good promotion.  I am the "PR queen"

[MacMcM]

There HAS to be a location in Harrison County that will provide 25M area for a 20-25 person shooting line.

Mac

[Col. Morgan's Granddaughter]

You Mac!
I'll experiencing envy of the photo of your AQT!  Mamma likes

Anyway, if we can't bring our club on board, I can ask around.  Don't know if the the police dept. could allow use of their range.  If so, it is excellent.  Must talk with son-in-law about that.  Or, try to find a friend with a farm.

Still, I want women instructing.  It is the deal maker/breaker with local females.

Cindi with the dirty 10/22 waiting to be cleaned