Williamston, MI Appleseed Oct 17-18

[BeeFree]

Online Registration opened yesterday.  There are 18 slots left.  Get off your couches and come on down.  We had 21 shooters at the Fenton shoot last weekend.  7 earned their patches, and several more got within spitting distance.  Can we make that many Riflemen at Williamston?  I believe we can.  Will you be one of them?  PM me if you have questions about the upcoming shoot.  Be aware that it is RIMFIRE ONLY.  See you on the trail!

BeeFree

[TreadCarefully]

Well now, someone must have been doing their homework. According to BeeFree there are now only 2 slots open. Well done!

Let's use this thread to get organized for the shoot. I anticipate driving in Friday night and camping at one of the places listed in the brochure. Anyone have any experience at any of these camp sites?

We should plan on some kind of instructors meeting on Friday, either in person of by phone.

BeeFree seems confident that the backers will all be in place by the previous weekend and will verify that and post the confirmation here.

We should sort out who will do what history here (BeeFree and I have a head start via pm). intheburbs, are you up for a dangerous old men story or two?

Also, intheburbs is going to work on PC1 and PC2. BeeFree is going for here red hat. Any others?

What else?

[TreadCarefully]

Also, how committed are we to the 20 shooters? Can we squeeze a few more in? We only need about 3 feet per shooter if they get cozy.

[johniim]

Will this be the first all Mi AS? Man, I wish I could be there . Instead I'm stuck in Shubert Ne pop 237 or so the sign says. Remember shooters are like jello there's always room for more. Good luck and have a safe and productive shoot don't forget to mention the 7th step. How's that saying go? "LEARN TO SHOOT TODAY TEACH TO SHOOT TOMORROW" or something like that.

[TreadCarefully]

Glad to hear you're still up and about in the hinterland! Gopher Boy is coming in from IL to help out, so it won't be exclusively MI guys, but close.

We'll have to plan a winter 'seed early next year when you're back! BeeFree - any ideas?

[BeeFree]

Winter 'Seed?  Maybe Williamston again, since their line is covered?  I can see about getting on their board meeting agenda in Nov to tell them how the upcoming AS went (confused tenses there, yes?) and find out about getting on next year's schedule earlier.  Usually winter weekends after deer season ends are pretty empty, except for the Frozen Chosin shoot.  Actually, a winter shoot at Williamston might let us have the use of the KD range, too.  That would be a plus.  The 200 yard line is also covered.  Issue is having to shut down all the rifle ranges in order to use only one of them - won't happen near deer season!

We already have Fenton for April 17-18, but I'm thinking you mean earlier than that so we can make more orange hats and move some up the ladder prior to that to staff all the shoots that weekend.

I'm open to any other location we can get.  Got some action at the Dundee Sportsmans Club (think great excuse to stop at Cabelas), but it'll be for next year, cause their schedule is full every remaining weekend this year.  We need approval from their board prior to their Calendar Meeting the second week of December, too.     

BeeFree

[BeeFree]

Just checked the pre-reg number thread... per Eventbrite we are 20 for 20.  Due to the doublecounting memberships fault w/Eventbrite, this may be as low as 17, or it may really mean 20 and sold-out.  In any case, if there is anyone else out there who plans on SHOOTING at this event, get registered NOW, 'cause I don't expect we'll have any room for walk-ons.  There really is only room for 20 shooters on the line.  I don't care how skinny you are.  Pre-register if you want to shoot.  If you would just like to observe and get the instruction and history that way, then you can just show up with a lawn chair and park yourself against the back wall and you'll be fine.  As long as there aren't more than about 20 of you, either.  See you all soon! 

BeeFree

[Dinky Dao]

Well now. If you put together a winter shoot in MI, count me in to come up and help.  Let me know when anything hits the schedule, as I'll have to go by snow chains for the "appleseed car".

Nothing like a trip to Michigan in the dead of winter...

LOL.

At least all the pretty snow and ice covers up all that hideous Blue and Maize

LOL!



Dinky


P.S. GO BUCKS!

[TreadCarefully]

Looks like we have 20/20 signed up. Well done.

Anyone camping? Where?

[BeeFree]

If the weather looks bad, you might try either of the following.  Kay stopped in 9/5 to check them out...

Williamston Inn, 1133 W Grand River, 517-655-3773 (was Indianhead). I talked to woman owner. Nice rooms, tree-lined drive, park-like setting, further from town.
All are 2 double-bed rooms, shower, TV, some with micro/refrig, some without. Only 4 rooms avail for Oct 17-18 as of 9/5.  1-2 person/1 night = $62, 3rd person + $5.
Going WEST on Grand River from downtown Williamston, it is on north side of road just past MPE Lumber and Zimmer Rd intersection.
www.williamstoninn.com

----------------------------------------------

Kane's ACORN Inn, 2346 E Grand River, 517-655-6793. Has NRA sticker on office door!! I talked to Betty, live-in manager and owner's mom (in late 70s maybe).
Nice rooms, much closer to town. 1-2 person/1 night = $60, 3rd person + $5. Has TV, micro/refrig, coffeemaker, tub & shower, 7 rooms available today.
Going EAST on Grand River from downtown Williamston, on south side of rd, driveway is exactly where road goes from 4 lane to 2 lane, stay on shoulder to enter driveway.
http://theacornmotel.com/


If you really want to camp, here is the info I have for the nearest campgrounds...
Camping available: not onsite, but nearby at -
Moon Lake Campground in Woodhull Twp (6 miles)
Warbalers Cove in Okemos (6.25 miles)
Lansing Campground in Delhi Twp
Sleepy Hollow State Park in Laingsburg (15 miles)

BeeFree

[BeeFree]

Hey all - this is for the staff for the Williamston shoot...

We have some observers coming - one from UofM, one from GLSS Magazine, possibly a couple spouses/kids of shooters.  Has anyone heard anything from the Trijicon folks?  Some observers have said they would like to shoot if someone else cancels/the line isn't full.  So we'll have a full house for sure.

WE NEED SOME LOANER RIFLES.  I have my Ruger I can loan and if I can get the conversion on the AR this week, I'll have that, too.  But not everyone who needs one is kind enough to ask me in advance, SOOOO, if any of ya'll can bring a loaner or two, that would help a lot.  Also, not everyone is as thrilled as I am about shooting a rifle with a beautiful PURPLE stock... heh.    Please let me know if you can... Thanks,

BeeFree

[ITB]

My contacts at Trijicon have been really busy, not even returning my calls.  I'm planning to head over on Monday in person - not sure who is coming.  Can you PM me a list of people who've registered?  I'd be able to tell you if anyone's from Trijicon.

[TreadCarefully]

BeeFree - can you get that list?

I have a line on 2 loaners, but there is a good chance that neither works out.

[BeeFree]

I PM'd RW for it and have just been awaiting a reply.  In the meantime, I got a hold of softseller and he will drop off his LTRs for us to loan out on Saturday morning, hang out to get a few more pics and then take off for a previously scheduled unavoidable engagement.  I'll make arrangements to return them to him after Sunday. 

Also, I schlepped over to the range and they have the new boards up (yea).  I re-measured the line in hopes that it would have miraculously expanded, but it is still 30 feet per side, which is only 3 feet per shooter.  Eventbrite is reading "soldout" and that is after RW changed the settings to account for the memberships sold.  There are 2 observers who might shoot if anyone fails to show, and I now have a waitlist  of shooters to call if anyone cancels before Fri eve.

The 50 yard range adjacent to us will be in use 10AM-2PM on Saturday for a safety course. 

We will need a gate person to tell everyone where to park and to leave their stuff in the car.  The tables under the range cover are back - I will just move one or two outside  the door (for space reasons) for admin/registration.  That way there will be room for observers and participants chairs against the back wall.  The only thing we'll need to do downrange is hang redcoats.  What time would you like the staff to show up? 

BeeFree

[ITB]

I finally set a meeting with Trijicon for Friday. 

Doesn't look like anyone will be able to make it this weekend - they start getting crazy this time of year leading up to the SHOT show.  My contacts are primarily in engineering, but they gave me the name of the marketing manager.  He would be the decision maker, so I'll try to meet with him when I'm there on Friday.  The guys I've spoken to so far are definitely interested, so worst case we can get some of them out for April in Fenton.

[BeeFree]

Okay, let's all start praying for decent weather - meaning NO SNOW.

I have 4 extra mats to loan (because intheburbs gave me 2 at Fenton - thank you very much!), 1 loaner sling and the 10-22 mags with the attachment plates for up to three people.  Also I will pack some blankets in case our observers start turning into icicles.  I can loan out my elbow pads to very skinny people who are crazy enough not to wear a jacket in a MI winter, but I am thinking of packing some towels because the shooters will have their mats on CONCRETE and this WILL get hard on the elbows if they don't have pads or thick mats.

I still need to buy staples, everyone please bring a stapler, etc.  And we need a big colorful sign for the driveway because it is easy to pass by since the range sign faces parallel to the road.  Anyone have time to grab a large piece of posterboard for that?  My kids cut all ours up.

And I'll bring the dummy rifle w/ laser pointer, too.

BeeFree

[TreadCarefully]

I'll look for some cardboard.

Let's plan on meeting at the range at 7am. This should give us time to get all the necessary signs posted and get set up. Do we have to meet anyone from the range to let us in or anything?

Canopies, tarps and extra chairs (per intheburbs) are probably good ideas. Can we have a fire on the range or in a burn barrel?

Still not sure of my spares beyond several extra mats and a couple of slings.

Anyone else camping?

[BeeFree]

I have the gate combo, so  I can unlock the gate for us.  Since we'll be there before anyone else, we can liberate a few chairs from further down the line (meaning the 50 and 100 yard ranges).  They are plastic, not real comfortable, but better than nothing for anyone who forgets to bring one.  The range is covered and has walls on two sides, plus very high berms.  Wind won't be a problem, but because of the very narrow building, there is nowhere for a fire that will do us any good.  If it is really cold, I may grab our space heater and see if I can't find a plug somewhere (there's electric lighting, so maybe there's a plug, too?) near our line for folks to warm up while we do the three strikes and instruction.  I wish I'd thought to check on that when I was checking on the backers. 

BeeFree

[TreadCarefully]

Alright, it's getting close!

Everyone clear on what they want to get done this weekend (history, PC's etc.)? Post here again so we can review.

Neither of my loaner rifles worked out although I will have slings, mags etc.

I

[BeeFree]

I'm on for Strike 1 after your intro.  And anything else you want me to explain or demo.  I'm not feeling picky.  We are up to 5 loaner rifles, tho' I'd still suggest any IITs w/a rifle to loan bring it JIC. 

FOR STAFF AND SHOOTERS...IF THE SITE GOES DOWN AGAIN, I CAN BE REACHED AT BEEFREECB@YAHOO.COM  IF YOU NEED TO REACH ME BEFORE SATURDAY.

I haven't received the registration list yet, I'll try PM-ing again.  TC, do you get sent one automatically as SB?  Also, do you have all the other supplies (targets, handouts, etc)?  We will need to modify some targets if there are any underage shooters.  I'll bring markers for that...there was an earlier thread about just squaring off the target in the same color, leaving a thin line for scoring, and circling in black the x and/or 5 point ring.  Unless anyone has any other ideas?

Since I have most of the loaner stuff, do you want me to do registration and just take care of that then?

BeeFree

[TreadCarefully]

Alright, it looks like we may have an 'extra' mission this weekend. Who has a good digital camera?

We need to take pictures of all of the steady hold factors for every position. Not in an ad hoc way, but systematically illustrate each SHF. If someone has a camera they can use, then we can either do it while explaining the SHF's to the group, or set up some time after the shoot and do them all at once. I think BeeFree and/or I can do the modeling.

Thoughts?

[ITB]

Sounds good. 

I can be the photographer.  I've got an 8 MP camera with a huge memory card.

I'm good for a few DOM stories, and I'd like to do at least PC1, possibly PC2.

I scored some more material from my gasket division - cut it up into 5 more mats. 

I'll also bring two staple guns and staples. 

[BeeFree]

IF ANYONE ELSE NEEDS ANYTHING FROM ME FOR THIS SHOOT, SAY SO NOW!!!  I'M PACKING THE VAN!!!

otherwise I'll just see everyone at the Cap City Rifle Range, 1819 Germany Rd (the number on the road, not on mapquest which says 1850), Williamston, MI tomorrow at 7 AM for staff and 8:30 for shooters' registration.  Get excited folks, looks like we'll be shooting in weather just like they had April 19, 1775...live the history!

BeeFree

[TreadCarefully]

Found a giant piece of cardboard for a sign.

See you there!

[Gordon]

...
We'll have to plan a winter 'seed early next year when you're back! BeeFree - any ideas?
...

Winter Seed -- Yes!

Lately I got the admin to give me access to the Michigan board. I'm a citizen of Ohio but I live near the border and my loyalties in this matter are thin! Emotionally, I'm as much a Wolverine as I am a Buckeye, and that extends to Appleseed.

Seriously, yes, a winter event? If it comes to pass, and if I'm at all able, I'll be there. Valentine's weekend is off though, since we have an Ohio IBC at that time. -which, by the way, y'all are welcome to come to!

Anyhow I'll stay tuned for that winter 'seed.
-FM

[Frazier50]

After the great job Beefree and the rest of the group did for the March appleseed I m all in for the OCt 17-18!!!!!!!!

[BeeFree]

Thanks, Frazier!  There's also Appleseeds in Dundee July 3-4 & Aug 7-8, and one I am in the process of getting online in the UP Labor Day weekend in September!    here's hoping the weather will be a bit kinder for those...   I'm still thawing out...

BeeFree

[Frazier50]

Good point... I m the same. But what I learned will last a life time. And the cold was just a fun part of it.  I have spent the hour working on getting people from my office to attend.

[BeeFree]

Yeah, I've been doing an annual three gun shoot in PA in Feb, which generally means snow well over the boot tops, for a few years.  It's a great test of one's equipment, and I include my self in the equipment list...  
I still prefer shoots in the sun, with temps in the 80s, sissy that I am...

It is a lot of fun to do a shoot with a crowd of folks you know.  We've been known to pack a pistol class with relatives -  now I need to convince them all to come to an Appleseed, too.  Too bad Mr.BeeFree works in liberal la-la land.  The best he's managed there is to get them out grouse hunting, and most of them couldn't shoot squat.  Gonna' keep trying, tho' - eventually I'll find the right things to say to wake them up...

BeeFree

[Frazier50]

ahhh same here. No many open minds when it comes to this kind of thing. But the "few" that do enjoy hunting and such, I have been working on.