Ontario NY - September 2022

[T. WOLF]

Many thanks to Ontario Rod & Gun Club for inviting us back for another great event.  Despite a repeat of the rainy weather on Sunday, we saw a lot of smiling faces, made some new friends, and saw fantastic progress from the returning shooters who had joined us at ORGC in 2021.  All of the instructors were impressed with the level of engagement from everyone who attended this event.  Thank You for coming out, reflecting on our shared history, and honing those marksmanship skills.  You represent our country well.

Vivek & Al - it was a pleasure having both of you back with us, and I was happy to see you earn your Rifleman patches this year.  Fantastic shooting, gentlemen - and thank you for being engaged in the program and helping us grow in NY.  Shawn, Cliff - I'm glad you let Al talk you into joining him, we hope you enjoyed the experience.

Luke, what can I say buddy... 209, 209, 209.  I personally know how frustrating that can be, but you have such a positive attitude - A Rifleman persists!  It's really fun having you on the range with us, and I hope I can be there when you finally get that patch because it is well earned.

We actually had a number of shooters 'knocking on the door'... I think Sol had a 209, first event.  Shawn and Anthony, I recall you guys being pretty close as well.  Stick with it and practice your NPOA and transitions at home, and that 210 will be well within reach at your next event.

Chris and Matt - I applaud you guys for making the investment in this experience as new rifle owners - it was awesome working with you!  Project Appleseed intends to make our way into the Capital Region and Hudson Valley in 2023, and I hope you both can find an opportunity to join us again.

Rick & Marlene - it was so great having both of you with us. Marlene, you did fantastic - and we loved that you stayed in engaged all weekend and weren't afraid to ask questions!  It was really rewarding to see your improvement over the weekend.  Stu, Laura - hope to see you back with us next year as well!  Terry, you too bud!  No worries on skipping Sunday, I know how it is!  Thanks for reaching out.

Sandy and Ian - congratulations to both of you for requalifying as Riflemen, and thank you for supporting Project Appleseed.  I look forward to continuing to work with both of you as we grow our footprint in New York state. Stephen, thank you as well - glad you could join us.

Heidi, you're so good to us!  Along with Tom and Steve at ORGC - we just couldn't pull this off like we do without your enthusiasm and support, and we are looking forward to returning again next season.  I will shoot you an email this week to figure out dates.

Last but not least, thanks to our wonderful crew of volunteers from Ohio, New Hampshire, Michigan and New York!  We had quite the crew assembled this year, and it's so enjoyable working with you.  Well done!

LINK TO EVENT PHOTOS





Congratulations to our Riflemen!

[MattNH]

We need a shoot next year.  One time rain on Sunday could have been luck. Two years in a row rain on Sunday could have been a coincidence.  A third year in row with rain on Sunday will mean ORGC is effective to rain on Sunday. 

It was great to work with TWolf, CDH, Sherry bear, Hawkman, yogini and NYtro.  The Blue Hats were fantastic.  It was an awesome mix of familiar faces from last year and some new shooters. Ian, looking forward to having you as an IIT next year.  Seven95, great to see you again.

I love working this shoot and will be back in 2023

MattNH

[yogini]

Loved the event!! Loved watching people grow.  The participants were awesome and what a great community that is formed by the end of Sunday. The instructors were fantastic.   Watching the way they supported each other and the way they supported new shooters reminded me of what community is like!! The support given to new shooters by the instructors couldn't have happened without all of them giving up their time to help others! Thank you! I am forever grateful for being part of something bigger than myself and I look forward to…. God willing to being part of a growing program not just in NY but else where in this country!! Hopefully our paths will cross again😁ðŸ'œ  God Bless you all😊 I can't wait for next year when hopefully I will see many of you again.  I'm looking forward to the New Hampshire shoot in just a few weeks!!🙏
Barbara

[MattNH]

The Sunday afternoon hits count target interaction between CHD and yogini was one for the ages. 

[hawkman]

Thanks to all the instructors who traveled to make this event possible. The one on one instruction that occurred to get our new shooters comfortable with a rifle was great to witness. Two new riflemen is awesome. I can't wait for next year, I could see 4 new riflemen.
Thanks to all the participants who braved the rain on Sunday and help break down the range.

[ThatIndianGuy]

Thank you T. Wolf, MattNH, CrazyDuckHunter for volunteering your time, resources, and energy to Project Appleseed, for driving long distances to New York when you could have been doing just about anything else. Your dedication is what keeps Appleseed going and ensures that the sacrifices of the founding generation aren't lost to apathy or amnesia.

Thanks also to the orange and blue hats: Sherry bear, Hawkman, yogini and NYtro, and to Heidi, Tom, Steve. (Apologies if I missed anyone.)

And a special thank you to MattNH for the slow-motion video that fixed my trigger squeeze! I would not have earned my patch without that critical feedback.

To my fellow Appleseeders, I hope to see you all next year.

- Vivek

[asharrow]

I want to thank all the instructors, Red hats, Orange Hats & Blue Hats for once again volunteering their time again this year. I learned so much last year and this year. Breaking it down, it is the coordination of many little things that all add up to improving one's skill.
Also, given where we are presently in People's Republic of New York'istan, it was great to be around a group of like minded people.
I also really enjoy and appreciate the stories told about Lexington & Concord. After last year's shoot you inspired me to buy the books "Lexington & Concord" by Arthur B. Tourtellot and "Paul Revere's Ride" by David Hackett Fischer.
Thanks again also to NYtro and Hawkman who for several years prior to '21 kept telling me "You gotta take this class, you're gonna learn alot".

--- Al ----

[Lcapria]

I can't express how much fun I have at this event. Travis and the all the crew put on a great shoot. What can I say T. Wolf but but always the man, never the rifleman. I'm excited for next year and I'll get that rifleman patch for sure! I think T. Wolf only had a couple of people become rifleman last year and this year you had a bunch. If you keep this up you'll have an entire line of rifleman and me at 209  . I know I'll get there and I'll take part in the CMP Smallbore Postal to help practice and work on the skills you have given me. My goal for next year is not only to become a rifleman but distinguished as well going for that 240 no the 239.

Thank you again everyone. The volunteers were yet again amazing as well as MATT NH and CrazyDuckHunter for traveling so far. Sherry Bear, Hawkman, Yogini, NYtro, Heidi, Tom, Steve. I'm sorry if I forgot your name but next time I'll get it. Ian it was fun talking with you and trying to keep up with you too. Anthony, I hope we can meet up at the range sometime and out some of our skills together. Vivek, you're awesome!

Keep up all the great work everyone and I look forward to seeing you next year.

[MSI]

What an awesome time!