AAR Atlanta, TX, June 18-19, 2011

[POP]

Atlanta, Texas, hospitality overcomes every adversity.

This weekend's event at the Harrison's Big Sandy Ranch the adversary was the sizzling 103 deg PLUS heat.  Doesn't quite qualify as a SUMMERSEED but still, very warm.

In spite of that Saturday brought seven shooters to the line.  Three were returnees, four were new to Appleseed.
Curtis, our 14 yr old first timer stayed with it both days, made lots of improvement, and earned his youth patch.  We are really proud of Curtis' effort.  (FYI, Curtis came with his Uncle Wolf).

The premier award, Appleseed's Rifleman Patch, was earned Harrison Ward, grandson of the Range Owners.  This was Harrison's second event shooting, and he shot a very respectable 224 and took an Orange Hat.   
More than that, however, is Harrison's "Fightin' Texas Aggie" "Can Do" attitude.  We knew Saturday this would be the weekend.  Harrison also knew it.  By two o'clock Sunday afternoon Harrison was the only two students on the line.  All of the instructors worked with him throughout the weekend.  And, I sat in my comfortable range lounge chair next to him for the last several AQTs.  He would not be denied.  After five o'clock Harrison is the only shooter on the line.  The temperature must have been 105 deg, not a cloud in the sky, little to no wind, in short "optimal shooting conditions."  1st Stage 48, 2nd 48, 3rd stage 48, 4th Stage 80.  Total 224.  ... 
Harrison is a man who knows what he is about.  Whoaa!!
Shortly after presentation of his Rifleman Patch, Harrison accepted the responsibility of the Orange Hat.     As Harrison will be back at A&M this Fall he will be instructing Appleseed events at Steve Struve's "Cawthorn Cartridge Club" (The College Station Range) this Fall.  So, all ya'll who instruct there frequently welcome him.

Johnson Ward, Harrison's brother, learned a lot this weekend and improved by consistently shrinking his group size.   Look for Johnson to show up at College Station as the Fall will be his first semester at A&M, also in the Corps with his brother in E-2.

Friend Nate will be back as well.  A young man, Rusty, from Texarkana, shot with us Saturday, hopefully he will be back ... he brought his new (to him) Mosin Nagant to the line and did well, all things considered.  Finally, Bill and Gary from Atlanta showed much improvement.  olfart and I met Gary in April when we made a presentation to the Atlanta Rotary Club.  We certainly appreciate their interest in Appleseed and the invitation to make another presentation this Fall.

Our Appleseed instructors make the difference in just a class on how to shoot a rifle or a great place to spend a weekend.  their excitement for the Appleseed program is evident in their eagerness to engage the shooters and in doing their job correctly.   My thanks to each of you:
olfart was earned his IIT 4
Wolf earned his IIT 3
bluejay earned her IIT 2
aggie earned his IIT 2
shot earned his IIT 1

Finally, my heartfelt appreciation must be expressed to Joe and Peggy Harrison, Little Joe and Alma Harrison, and, to Jenny and Scott Ward for their support of the Appleseed program.  Because of their interest the range was set up by Friday morning, including a large 48 x 24 covered area under which we could take breaks and do instruction.     I presented Joe and Peggy with Applecorps Blue Hats and a bottle of cold water.
Thank you to the Harrison Family.

Quote of the Weekend from bluejay:
"The Porta Potties are HOT"     We're still glad you came to help us out, bluejay.

Hopefull someone can post some pics.

POP

[wolf]

once again .the best one yet.  the heat was great,the sun was great,the dirt in my eyes was great,the ants in my food was great,the mosquetoes at night seemed to like me and curtis both .so what can i complain about, cant wait till the next one. see yall on the trail.

[olfart]

The good news is, we all survived the heat. The bad news is, SUNBURN! The good news is, the wind-whipped sand blasted away the burned skin, so we all got a free dermal abrasion and now look 20 years younger. Except Curtis, of course, and he still looks 14.

Actually, the good news is that the Appleseed message was spread to a few more folks who will spread it farther still. It was great to see shooters persevere in the face of 104 - 105 degree temps and 30 mph gusts.

Congrats to Harrison, our new Rifleman and Orange Hat, and to Shot, who also accepted the Orange Hat Saturday morning. Both are great additions to the staff.

My appreciation goes out to aggie and bluejay, who traveled all the way from Fort Worth to endure the heat with us. Y'all did a fine job, and I look forward to working with you again.


Shot takes the Orange Hat just in time to help with the event.


Magazine preparation was a welcome break from the sun thanks to the tarps provided by the Harrisons, owners of the range.


Wolf takes a turn behind a rifle to refresh his skills.


Is that a terrorist in pink? Nope, just bluejay trying to hide from the sun and blowing sand.


POP presented bluejay with a pink hat that says, "Shoot like a girl... if you can!"


Here are some of those who persevered despite the heat. Note the sweat.


Wolf displays his nice shooting jacket.


And, finally, Harrison is awarded his hard-earned Rifleman Patch!

[wolf]

olfart thanks for the phots ,the AAR would not be complete without them. pop thanks for going the distance with harrison all the way to the end .your dedication and hard work shows and is motavating and  inspiring to all upcoming instructors ,ill be looking forward to working with you and all other instructors in the future.

[aggie]

A great big 'Thank you' to the Harrison Family for allowing us to have an Appleseed on their property, and an even bigger 'Thank you' for the tarps which were set up on the range. That was some hard won experience from people who have spent a little time outside during the summer.

Congratulations to Mr. Ward sporting his new Rifleman Patch!  I think bluejay and I will go down to Aggieland this next year to join all of the folks down there for a couple of shoots.

Wolf - tell Curtis to keep on working. He is getting close. We hope to see both of you a little down the road.  (PS - I still like the coat.)

olfart - thanks for the pics. You keep the camera well hidden.

shot - congrats on the Orange Hat.

Bill, Gary - the groups will keep getting tighter, so keep on working.

I hope to see all of you down the road.

I expect to see all of you again down the road.

[Sir Not Appearing In This Film]

Another great shoot! Good to see wolf, bluejay and aggie out there.

I think we have a spot for Harrison in College Station.