Monmouth, ME Monmouth, Maine AAR August 24/25

[The Old Guide]

Monmouth, Maine AAR

August 24/25 was a beautiful Maine Appleseed weekend with warm temps, light breezes and low humidity. We had 19 shooters at Monmouth Fish and Game which is an outstanding host club.

Another DOM came over from New York and Doctor Aims shared instructor responsibilities. Another DOM shows up with a Brown Bess complete with shiny 18 inch bayonet which is an impressive addition to the First Strike story.

The club bought new posts for our target line and provided backers and wire. They have three members working on becoming Instructors. They are enthusiastic hosts.

We had some impressive groups on the first Redcoat and one shooter did not hit the paper. That wide disparity of skill levels came together and groups began to tighten on the squares targets. Many large sight adjustments were necessary and we covered "Inches Minutes and Clicks" before lunch to help explain why a shooter had to adjust his scope 38 clicks up.

North Country Lady did Strikes One and Two during lunch. The shooters were spellbound.

On Sunday morning one shooter cleaned the Redcoat. Groups continued to shrink and we had a Rifleman, then another and we ended up with four (count em, FOUR)  new Riflemen, Rich, Kirk, Brian and Joe. Young Lucas was my model for steady hold factors. Nathan and Savanna improved greatly. They will all be back. Doctor Aims is our newest IIT in Maine and he called the line Sunday afternoon for the first time. Good job, Doc.

I can't thank Another DOM enough for driving all that way and helping out in Maine. He and Kris are welcome in Maine any time.

Monmouth F&G wants a third shoot this year and would like monthly shoots next year. I showed them a Winterseed patch which generated much interest. Appleseed is growing in Maine. Our next shoot is at North Berwick on Sept. 14/15 followed by Freeman Township on Sept. 28/29. Love the name of that shoot.

[krisker]

North Country Lady is a truly gifted story teller.  I have never heard the history told like that before.  After all of these years of hearing the strikes, I got goose bumps listening to her.  It was like listening to "books on tape" or a CD - you could actually visualize what was happening in the story.  I didn't want the story telling to end.  If you ever get a chance to attend an event where she is involved, I highly recommend going.   Thanks to The Old Guide for setting us up with an extension cord, thanks to the instructors and participants for making this event happen, and especially a big thanks to the kids on the line - they were totally awesome.  I have never seen a group of kids so attentive and quick to learn.  Pictures to follow via Another DOM.

[2ndMile]

This was my first AS and I will definitely say it will not be my last. I had a great time and learned a ton. I had only shot from the prone position a few times and those was all in anticipation of the event. The weekend met and exceeded all my expectations. I felt like a kid at summer camp... I didn't want it to end!

The Old Guide is an absolute wealth of knowledge and anecdotes. Next time I want to see him shoot an AQT. It would be a joy to see a master at work. You can tell when he speaks about our heritage and about AS that his whole soul is in it. Thank you for your time and dedication.

I agree with krisker, North Country Lady is an amazing story teller. You could feel the stillness in the room as she wrapped up and a collective gasp as we all realized we had been holding our breath. Well done.

Another DOM and krisker, thank you so much for coming all that way (Although I am sure it was nice to breathe the freer air! . You both added so much to the weekend.

Doctor Rick, it was great talking with you during and after the program. Great info from a great guy.

Monmouth F&G is a great range. I only wish it were closer. It was a privilege to spend both days next to Mark, the club VP. We had a great time razzing each other and helping one another out. Looking forward to being on the line with him again in the future.

To all the other shooters, thank you for the encouragement and for getting off the couch!

I am trying to move my schedule around to make it to North Berwick. I still have a ton to learn. It is one thing to have a patch and another to believe it in your heart.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Brian

[Another D.O.M.]

We had a great time in ME, sort of like a mini vacation.  We met some fantastic Americans and we enjoyed teaching them and watching their skills improve throughout the weekend.  It was an honor to work w/ The Old Guide, North Country Lady and Doctor Aims.  I guess the only thing missing from this trip is we STILL haven't seen a moose.

Here are some of the photos that Krisker took over the weekend.


A Hand Painted Dedication Plaque


Instruction by The Old Guide


Saturday AM Firing Line (from the right)


Saturday AM Firing Line (from the left)


Prone Steady Hold Factors


Sling Adjustment Instruction


Doctor Aims & Son


Students Practice SHFs


Posting the AQT Target


Prone SHFs, with Lucas Modeling


Savanna Shoots the Standing Stage


Inches, Minutes, Clicks


Lucas Models the Standing SHFs


Talking Targets