Saratoga Springs NY Sept. 18 & 19, 2010

[Another D.O.M.]

This was an outstanding Appleseed weekend!

The host range, SaraSpa Rod & Gun Club, pulled out all of the stops for us for this event and it showed.  Our own R1sgx2 spent at least four days in preparation for our shoot, along with members of the club who pitched in to get it set up and sparkling.  Thanks to all for their efforts and hard work!  And thanks very much for the hot lunch both days!

The weather couldn't have been any better for an Appleseed - not too hot, not too cold and no rain.  We had a covered firing line for most of the 45 or more attendees thanks to the improvements the club has made over this spring and summer; and when attendance decreased on Sunday everyone was under cover.  As is typical at Appleseed events we had a range of shooters from those who have never fired a rifle in their life to those with many years' experience, and all showed marked improvement in their skills by the end of the weekend.

This weekend, of course, marks the 233rd anniversary of the first Battle of Saratoga, so there were special events that had been prepared for our attendees.  On Saturday there was an additional history segment highlighting the details of the Battle of Saratoga.  And on Sunday we were treated to a black powder musket and rifle demonstration performed by a SaraSpa club member; and then as dusk approached on Sunday evening a bugler performed a very moving and inspiring live Taps as the flags were saluted by all.

I'll stop here so that others may have the opportunity to tell their tales as well.  We welcome all comments from our instructors and attendees, so please don't be shy.

[Spartan]

  Saraspa is a great facility and I still cant believe how much that club supports Applessed.  Cudo's to all the work R1SGX2 and his family put into the event.  No one left thirsting for knowledge or went away hungry that is for sure.  The food was a huge bonus!!  The Guest speaker from the National Park service did an amazing job comparing a musket and the long Rifle along with some of the specifics of the Battles of Saratoga. 
  I think the shooters learned quickly and stayed in their bubble as evidenced by the scores.  Congrats to all the rifleman that got the patch saturday and sunday and to all those that are moving along the journey.  I was amazed that the facility could hold all of those shooters!!

[GadsdenNY]

Had an incredible time!   It was my first Appleseed event, and already looking forward to attending another.  Hats off to the Shoot Boss, Instructors and to everyone who made this outstanding learning experience so rewarding.  Thank you to SaraSpa for hosting and thanks to all the shooters in attendance - It is quite refreshing to be amongst individuals who cherish our Nations history coupled with the extreme desire to further their own shooting abilities. I take pride in sharing such an occasion with folks so willing to help and provide constant encouragement to others on the line.

I received my Rifleman patch for my scores on Saturday, and despite not being able to do better on Sunday - I was, and am in no way disappointed.  In my 20+ years of shooting, I had always thought I was accurate "enough."  This past weekend has proven to me, that with a I am capable of re-learning and correcting techniques that have held me back from being a better shooter all those years.

I've already started spreading the word to others, and I'm pledging to myself to bring at least one more shooter to the next event.  In fact, I've already had two others ask when the next event is planned so they might go.

The seed has been planted indeed.

Thanks again!'

JR

[Another D.O.M.]

Hey gang, new to the board and Appleseed. I just shot the Appleseed at Saraspa this weekend,what an awesome event. I have been a shooter all my life (51), but never formally trained. I have always been a good shooter, but I cannot believe the improvement in my shooting after just 2 days of this program. While I did not patch this time, I shot high 190s and some mid 200s all day long today, and have never felt more smooth while doing it. My hats off to you guys that donate your valueable time to such a worthy cause. The history lesson was even better! Being that I grew just south of Boston, and lived there for 35 years, and have spent the last 16 years in Saratoga... I find this history very close to my heart. Thanks for a great event. I will certainly shoot more of these, and will become more involved at some point I am sure. Thanks Shoot Boss Buzzworth.

Greg

Bye the way, I shot a Colt LE6920 in 5.56 with irons. Thats just a loud .22 right?

Moved from New to Appleseed in NY? Check in here.

[Another D.O.M.]

Hey there Greg - good to see you on the forum!

We had a really great weekend.  SaraSpa is one of the finest host ranges I've worked at, and I'd like to thank the members for their outstanding hospitality.

Bye the way, I shot a Colt LE6920 in 5.56 with irons. Thats just a loud .22 right?

Yeah, well... it was certainly loud enough where you set up in the corner.

We'll see you at Dunham's Bay in Nov., right?
MJA

[Another D.O.M.]

Exhausted but the weekend was well worth it.

Yup - that's Appleseed!

[Gregch44]

Hey there Greg - good to see you on the forum!

We had a really great weekend.  SaraSpa is one of the finest host ranges I've worked at, and I'd like to thank the members for their outstanding hospitality.

Bye the way, I shot a Colt LE6920 in 5.56 with irons. That's just a loud .22 right?

Yeah, well... it was certainly loud enough were you set up in the corner.

We'll see you at Dunham's Bay in Nov., right?
MJA

I had the left corner on Sat., and the right corner on Sun. Actually we had all 3 of us 5.56s in the corner making noise on Sun. Thanks for moving my post here, I guess I posted before this was even up. To say that I'm excited about the project would be an under statement. I should have better thanked all the instructors and assistants in my post, as they are a great bunch, and I enjoyed them all. Will Dunhams Bay be allowing centerfires? If they do, then I'm in!
I think that I have a husband and wife ready to join us for the April shoot at Saraspa, and I've only just begun to recruit.
This was an outstanding shoot, and all the feedback that I have heard says the same. Great job guys.

[R1SGx2]

Quote

Bye the way, I shot a Colt LE6920 in 5.56 with irons. Thats just a loud .22 right?

Greg has been heard saying this at the range in the past, "Go big or go home...."

Glad you came to the shoot, not many know you decided to come Friday night. AND good job, see ya at the range,

ALSO check on the AAR for Saratoga for comments and pictures.

[nyrasgt]

   40+ shooters...close to 50...one of the larger AS weekends in NYS (other, perhaps, than Calverton, or if we fill the 50 firing points @ Dunham's Bay sometime)...November? 
    Everyone from 12 year-olds to senior citizens, multiple family members (fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, aunts and nieces); some only able to shoot sitting, but shooting nevertheless...because a rifleman persists...two Riflemen Saturday, and, I believe, 4 more Sunday for total of 6...new record for Saraspa, which only had 2 a year ago in September, 09.
   Outstanding food, facility (covered firing points + 100 - 200 yd KD range), parking, live-fire demo of both smoothbore musket AND 18th C. rifle on Sunday morning, the anniversary of the beginning of the 1777 Battle(s) of Saratoga...R1sgtx2 was the bugler (one of his many talents) for the final Sunday Redcoat honoring all past and present military, from Isaac Davis to the present.
   Also have potential contact with a neighboring club, Wilton Road and Gun, which purports to have 100 (one HUNdred) KD firing points - our next 7th step stop on the trail.
   Taught and learned lots @ first full RH weekend; my thanks to cadre SB Buzzworth, R1sgtx2, ADOM, Spartan, and IITs Dave and Michael, as well as newest IIT, Michele.
Excelsior,
madMark

[Buzzworth]

Well, what to say?

Red hats Buzzworth/SB, R1sgtx2, Spartan, nyrasgt

Orange hats
AnotherDOM, Tom (don't know your forum handle), sureshot, CAPshooter

The Ranges OUTSTANDING thank you Saraspa Rod & Gun Club 
http://www.sarasparodandgun.org/

The Instructor crew also OUTSTANDING! 
Thanks for making the Shoot Boss Job much better



Saturday
47 shooters  two ranges  Alpha and Bravo (we had radios)
2 First time Rifleman both first Appleseeders only two AQTs on Alpha and three on Bravo 

The weather was perfect for shooting 

Sunday
40 Shooters
4 more first time Appleseeders 

1 new Orange hat Dakota30 

This was the BEST Appleseed so far this year.!!!!   
The Shooters were motivated and eager to learn lots of good questions asked during the POIs this shows me that the were engaged 
Lots of folks scoring in the high 180s and up
Also this was the 233rd anniversary of the first Battle of Saratoga, that happened just a few miles away

At the end of the last redcoat on Sunday right after the third ceasefire
The command REMOVE HEARING PROTECTION and a-ten-hut, Remove your cover!
R1sgtx2 (aka Stick Mark) played and very moving Taps on his horn that drove home the cost of freedom to all
I had to let out a yell just to keep from falling apart and weeping
Thanks Mark (next time maybe tissue warning)   
[size=08pt](Don't worry no time limit on the redcoat every one was way done and away from rifles)[/size]

The Club President and his wife wheeled in a trailer that is a huge smoker /grill and cooked and smoked some very tasty Kielbasa and hot dogs 

While everyone was enjoying the feast nyrasgt read (yes read) the Hanna Davis The Second Strike of the Match compiled and written by Alan Trembla
This has to be read as it is written
And nyrasgt reads this aloud very, very well (again maybe a tissue warning maybe appropriate) 

This is the type of event that keeps me coming back over and over and moving forward
THANK YOU ALL!!

[sgtrock]

I must get up there,, sounds like a Great Place to Appleseed,,,

So Glad to hear you had a successful shoot,,,

NY is crankin,,,,

[dakota30]

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words...........whose is they???    IDK either!   But here is my Appleseed story...
    we showed up!
  ..ok, ok...we ALL showed up, with a teachable attitude!
   some of us have been waiting a long time for this.........
..........a very long time        (i loved this VW)
   Our beautiful range for a weekend of seeding. (this one looked too cool to resize)
  And Our Shoot Boss, and brilliant head instructor.....Buzzworth

(this is just my 1st post seeders...i didnt want to do one HUGE post.....stay tuned for more...takes me a few mins sometimes )

[dakota30]

ok, where was i...oh, right.

TIME TO LEARN A FEW THINGS.



   PRACTICE....
   PRACTICE...
    CHECK ON IT..........................

[dakota30]

 
note:  i did resize these too....hmmmm........im posting them big!

   PRACTICE.....
   Buzzworth doing what he does best....passing along some knowledge!


[img][http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad128/ranne35/saraspa%20Appleseed%20sept%202010/101_0473.jpg/img]   just one more check......

[Johnnyappleseed]

GadsdenNY
With that attitude AS will double every year ^5
Good shoot NY 
JA

[dakota30]

We had a real treat when a Rev. War Reinactor was planned for us all and gave a demo.

    on target!!!!

We also had a really awesome treat of a hot lunch for both Sat & Sun.........however, i can only say thank you very much for that........i have no pics...i was busy eating!

So, heres our crew...

And here are the youngsters....

[dakota30]

HANG IN THERE>>>>>>ALMOST TO THE POINT......
   Instructor Mark      this one.....   (3marks there)      blessed each patch earned with water that flowed under North Bridge.   AWESOME!!!!
  and here I am....receiving my patch from Buzzworth......what a feeling when i was told i made Rifleman..it took me till Sunday to do it......I think it was when i finally got my NPOA down, i hit it!   
   WOOHOOOOOOO....AND HERE I AM ACCEPTING AN ORANGE HAT, AND BEGINNING MY JOURNEY!
Thank you guys so much for taking time to teach all of us,  i only hope i can make as good of an instructor someday that you all were to us!   
p.s. i do have the pics of the other Rifleman, and i will post them, as well as your favorite pic, Buzz, (25m drill) just not tonite!   

[Earl]

Looks like I missed a great one in New York, and I buzzed near by there this Summer.

Dakota30, What I really would like to know is how you posted the pictures and captions - I have been titling my photos when I edit them, which kind of works, and add them as one of the additional things. Are you inserting images, and how does that work?

[Spartan]

Dakota,
Great Pics, great job finding your NPOA and shifting it, and the 2 clicks.
HooaH on the Orange hat thank you!!

[sureshot]

Here are some pics of the event. enjoy.

[Spartan]

Great Pics sure shot, you did a great job this weekend!!

[GadsdenNY]

Here are some more photos that were taken...

[GadsdenNY]

Here we go...sorry about the bum post prior!


Just a few of the nicest shooters I've ever had the pleasure of range time with.

Excellent demonstration and historical discussion.


Thanks again Greg for use of the Lula Loader!

Love seeing all that brass on the ground!


Outstanding crew - hats off to you all for making it run so smoothly.

My Sunday "boomstick" 

A big step forward in my Journey"



Thank you all again, so very much - I look forward to our next Appleseed

[Gunner109]

Hello GadsenNY. I just signed up.

[Gunner109]

This was my very first Appleseed event. It was tremendous! I would say this was the best experience I have had in quite some time. I am still a new shooter and I have to say I learned more than I thought I would. I would like to take a moment to thank the Shoot Boss "Buzzworth"..he was terrific. I would also like to thank the instructors and club members who made all of this possible. By the way, the Kielbasa on Sunday was awesome..very tasty. The history lessons were very enjoyable and informative. I feel I have a better appreciation for my freedom after hearing about the events surrounding April 19th 1775. I now have a better idea of what type of rile to bring. I tried to bring an AK which did not pan out to well. I am going to purchase a Ruger 10/22 and practice before the next shoot. Again, thanks to all involved.

[R1SGx2]

Gunner109

I am going to purchase a Ruger 10/22 and practice before the next shoot. Again, thanks to all involved.

Check out this link for PDF's and look at the one for LTR, this will help you set up your 10/22 when you get one. Wish I talked to your more now that I see your handle, Tap me on the shoulder at next seeding.
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=8645.0


I will be posting comments in a day or two, waiting for Dakota30 to finish posting photo's, also still running into participants getting comments, so stand by for a post from the BOTG.

[dakota30]

   wants more pics....     let me find some good ones. 

      Meeting of the minds!

   Mark giving us all some of our history in telling us the First Strike..........w/ Buzzworths help of course! 



   Buzzworth, this pic i'm posting for you.  well, mostly for you.......you liked it best....but paying attention, learning it, & practicing what we are being taught really does pay off......as is seen....so this pic is for everyone who is skepical about the fundalmentals of the shot being where its at....        

   heres a side of the VW thats not been seen yet!  did i mention i loved this bus yet?

  here are our FLAGS!!!  (they are in sepia tones, well, because i forgot to change my settings. It took me  6 pics to realize .......

hope you like these pics too seeders!     
D30

[R1SGx2]

There are so many good things to speak of at this shoot.  
It was my home range with a lot of recent work to the main range we used, I was proud to show it off as the last Appleseed shot here, we did in mud.    The weather worked with us this time.   And the smiles seen here were as bright as the sun, nice.
Was a pleasure to work with you guys (gender neutral), all of you had a teachable attitude.  
A few times there were reminders that were met with either a thumbs up or a response of "that's right". You guys (gender neutral again) were great to work with.
On the second range we used, Rose who showed up with a single shot J. Stevens was upgraded to a scoped 10/22. By the end of Saturday was surprised at what she could do. Rose's husband stood in the background and smiled on.
The families that showed up was great to see, Aunts, Nephews, Moms, Dads, Daughters, Sons, Uncles...   And the Appleseed family of return shooters are becoming old friends. Bill and his daughter Karis even stopped by to say hello, both having shot several Appleseeds. Karis was in a sling and cast from recent surgery, hope you are mending nicely, and all is well. Looking forward to seeing you back on the Appleseed Trail soon.
As the weekend went on, watching ya's improve your shooting. And hearing a few of the old seasoned shooters say "I never knew that".  
This being the anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga which happened just up the road, this weekend along the the history of April 19, 1775 heard story's of Saratoga and learned about Tim Murphy in the tree and other highlights of these Battles Saratoga.
I think I can speak for all the instructors and say it was a true pleasure to work with the shooters at this Appleseed. Good people. Hope all of you looked at your homework. Good stuff there.  
Remember to tell your family and friends. Looking forward to seeing ya's on the Appleseed Trail.