FRGC Bullet
Spring 2009 Newsletter
Message from the Director, Bob Smith:
What has FRGC done for the community? Recently I was made aware of the fact that a number of our neighbors still blame us for all the past ills that plagued the old public site. They and other members of the public are still unaware that our club efforts have in fact cleaned up the whole valley from our end as well as moved the questionable element to other parts of the county. (Sorry, Hayden Creek) Here is a repeat of a history article I did a number of years ago for a refresher as well as something for our newer members. Feel free to share this information with anyone you feel needs a little education of this subject. Rest of newsletter follows this article.
Fernan Rod & Gun Club, Inc.
A Joint Civilian, Military, and Police Firing Range
(A historical perspective)
By Robert B. Smith, Founder/Director
February 2009
Where does one go to shoot today that is clean and safe, somewhere that is not the more common informal “shooting dump”? A facility that is available to a cross section of users with a variety of shooting interests whom all practice safe gun handling? Fortunately, in the Coeur d’Alene/Spokane area we have a number of just such ranges.
FRGC is quite unique in the sense that it is the only joint civilian, police, and military use facility in Idaho on Federal property. It is actually one of the few of this type in the United States. Fernan Rod & Gun Club, (FRGC) is located in the Fernan Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. FRGC is a State of Idaho non-profit and IRS 501c(4) non-profit corporation. The range facility is a co-operative effort of FRGC, United States Forest Service (USFS), and the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG).
FRGC, a National Rifle Association (NRA) affiliate, came into existence much like the proverbial Phoenix. It arose from the ashes of another NRA club, Spokane Practical Shooters (SPS), in neighboring Washington State that dissolved their corporation and disbanded, in great part due to the fact that members had lost their place to shoot. There also was divisiveness amongst the membership, which tore the club apart. Sound familiar?
We started SPS after holding informal International Practical Shooters Conference (IPSC) matches among other things, at the Spokane Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in the Mica, WA area. We originally were just shooting the old Cooper style combat matches that many of us there had been doing as Washington Defensive Pistol Association members since the early to mid 70’s. We later affiliated SPS as a formal IPSC club as Jeff Cooper had founded IPSC and we had an increasing number of members who shot IPSC for score. SPS also operated as an independent entity paying a fee to SVRPC to use their land, upon which SPS made a number of improvements.
As I understand it, SVRPC had been at their current location for some time before we started shooting there in the early to mid 80’s. As I recall, that club had lost their original location in the Valley due to urban encroachment and found the present location to, like many of us, “find a place to shoot.” As mentioned earlier, differences between the two clubs as well as other factors led to changes.
My goal as former president of both those Washington clubs was to learn from our mistakes and build a range that would be accessible to the largest cross-section of our community as possible. I would like share our experiences with a cooperative effort concept of range development.
Like most clubs, we were short on financial resources so purchasing our own piece of property was out of the question. Being an Idaho resident, I mentioned my experience as past-president of two NRA clubs in Washington to a local gun shop in Coeur d’Alene and described how we had lost our range. They suggested an area in the Panhandle National Forest that had been an informal “shooting pit” for many years. In March 1989 I drove out to look at what was to become the site of FRGC.
What I found was initially disappointing. The area had become a dumping ground. I felt though, that we could turn a “black eye” for local sportsmen and the USFS into a “shining star” example of a range instead. This would be mutually beneficial as it would provide a place for a new gun club and would clean up Forest Service land while at the same time helping to accomplish one of Forest Service’s mission goals of providing better recreational opportunities on public lands.
I met with Recreation Specialist Jack Dorrell of USFS. He was enthusiastically supportive of the idea of a range in the beginning, but has since retired. Don Garringer continues to be our USFS liaison today.
Jack had been a prime mover in the success of this cooperative effort. I have found that if one offers their hand in friendship and ready to work, as opposed to “palm up” wanting a government agency to “do something”, the response is tremendous. Initially, we started the range as an agreement between USFS and my civilian/police training school, Security Awareness & Firearms Education (SAFE), which I have operated since 1985. This was because of Forest Service’s concern for lack of continuity on part of a club operating the range. Two previous groups had tried to operate a range at this location, with minimal success. One was a non-profit outdoorsmen club and the other was a training company similar to my own. USFS has had more success generally with a “vendor” operating under a permit than with volunteer groups. This is usually due to lack of long term plans and management on part of the club type organizations. This is true across the country, not just here locally.
After starting some brush clearing and general site work, Forest Service offered some obsolete outhouses to the range, which we installed. Shortly after this I discussed some ideas with Jack, which might make the operation under a non-profit club seem feasible. I felt that a club would better meet the goals of multiple users in the long term than my school because I hoped that the club would last beyond SAFE and me. However, we both wished to avoid the pitfalls that commonly plague the operation of such an organization. We put together a plan along with an administrative structure that we felt would achieve our goals. A check with NRA allowed those changes to the basic NRA By-Laws that we still use today. This was something that allowed a long-term master plan to be implemented and continued which would assure USFS that we would uphold our end of the agreement.
Our first job was to demonstrate to Forest Service that we were serious about the project. We spent a weekend hauling truckloads of trash from the public site to the dump. We also refurbished a log footbridge across a creek, and added target stands downrange. These things alone were not remarkable as other groups had tried to maintain the range over the years. These groups eventually “burned out” from constantly cleaning up after irresponsible users. Based on my previous experience as a former officer in other NRA clubs, I felt we needed a club that would serve the widest group of people possible. We would of course need revenue to build and support the facility. Member’s support in the way of dues and volunteer labor is usually not a problem as long as they see some benefit. No one lasts very long when they perceive their efforts to be solely directed at picking up someone else’s mess. We also began our tradition of “adopting” the Fernan Lake Road from Fernan Village to the Fernan Saddle and pick up all the roadside trash and litter along the road as well.
We also wanted to address the interests of those who didn’t want to belong to an organized club but still needed a place to shoot. I entered into an agreement with USFS called a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which spells out both parties’ expectations and responsibilities regarding working on public lands. In this agreement we planned a “public” and a “club” range to be administered by the club. This would permit members to have a restricted access area to develop which would be free of vandalism, while maintaining a “free use area” for non-members. The initial extent of our responsibility to the public range was trying to keep it clean, although we attempted to do much more.
USFS allowed us to install a USFS specification gate, controlling access to the ranges. This was our second job demonstrating commitment as we paid for and installed the gate. At this time we had $600 left from dissolving the previous club/corporation, Spokane Practical Shooters. Upon a vote by remaining members of that defunct club, we donated $300 to National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA/ILA) and spent the other $300 on the new gate. Our club has all the old remaining steel from SPS as well. FRGC had begun.
Today, 20 years later, we have a very successful and popular facility. We operate under aUSFS Special Use Permit. We have not had to face the problem of urban encroachment due to our location, yet we are only a few minutes scenic drive from downtown Coeur d’Alene. We have national and international visitors and users in part thanks to that proximity. Many visit FRGC while here on conferences in Coeur d’Alene and Spokane. We offer use of Fernan Rod & Gun Club to the public on scheduled public access days, supervised by FRGC members. For many years we had made the public free use area possible. However, due to the increase in population in the region which has resulted in heavier abuse of the “public site” by a small segment, and the fact that it was too much for USFS and County law enforcement to monitor, we were in agreement with Forest Service’s decision to close the public site. The trash situation and safety concerns were no longer manageable. About 5 years ago it was closed and became part of FRGC. FRGC members signed and enforced the “no use” of this area until the public became used to the idea that it was no longer available. As mentioned above, FRGC has continued to be available to public use but under our supervision and scheduling, hence no littering or safety violations.
As you may have noticed, the old public site is now being used for spoil placement from the Federal Highway Administration road improvement project on Fernan Lake Road. While this will somewhat change the topography there, it will also improve the entrance and road into FRGC as well as the USFS mountain bike/motorcycle trail head across the street which accesses the Canfield Mountain trail system. We are now sitting at the entrance to the new primary entrance to the National Forest.
FRGC membership is open to anyone who wishes to join and exercise responsible and safe gun handling practices. All new members must complete the mandatory safety check before being able to use the range. A variety of activities are held at the range and it is used by a diverse number of groups, who pay a minimal range fee. There is a minimal charge to police or military personnel who are using the facility during a scheduled agency or unit activity. Soldiers and police who use the club on their own time join and support the club just like their fellow civilian members. Our philosophy is that “support your local law enforcement” goes beyond the bumper sticker on the car. We extend that support to our Reserves, National Guard, and Active Duty Services for the same reason.
There is no charge to IDFG Hunter Education students or instructors. We support those volunteers as the area “Hunter Proficiency Center”, a term coined by Dan Papp of IDFG. We also host other volunteer based groups such as Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, and Search & Rescue for free as well. Other clubs or instructors who wish to use the facility are charged $5 per student per day, and $25 if they use the general purpose building.
The club range is also open to the public the first Saturday and Sunday June through September, and the first Sunday of each other month. Times are from 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm and cost is $5 per shooter per either session. Non-shooters and children under 18 are free, including the under 18 shooter, with their parent(s). (This schedule may change on occasion, so please check with us.) Our members supervise the FRGC range during these times. Family or individual annual memberships are currently $100 a year from January to December. Family means member, spouse, and children under 18. There are no day-use fees on top of this, just the flat annual dues. All proceeds go into development and improvement of the facility.
What does one get as a member? FRGC has two separate, main firing lines. They are multiple use lines, but are called “Rifle” and “Pistol” lines for scheduling purposes. Each is a concrete floored, metal roof covered line with benches and tables. Rifle is a minimum 30 position, 400-yard flat range with longer distances possible shooting up hill. Pistol is a minimum 20 position, 50-yard range. We also have seven other, multiple-use shooting bays which give us a total of nine ranges or shooting bays. Bays are numbered for scheduling and match purposes as 1-8 as one enters the facility, with the main Pistol line being Bay 7, followed by Bay 8 and the Rifle line. We plan in this summer of 2009 to cover the first 3 bays much like Bay 7. We also plan to extend power and water lines to all points of the facility. Other, more ambitious improvements are in the planning stages, including road improvements. Members also have access to the club building for shelter and heat as well as target shacks with a variety of targets for their use. Activities are scheduled outside of general usage which members receive in a newsletter or check on our website. They can attend numerous shooting events. Or they can just go plink. The range is kept open year around for member access. Most importantly, one is sharing a safe range with other shooters who value a safe and friendly shooting environment.
We can all enjoy our shooting activities while helping to preserve our civil rights by supporting FRGC, as well as any other club to which you may belong. Do so with your dues. Do so with volunteer efforts on work days or during club matches and activities. Do so by being a supporter of all shooting sports/activities even if they aren’t the ones you principally enjoy. Join groups like National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation. If one wants to see their donations go directly to local clubs then one can donate to National Firearms Education Foundation, Inc. (NFEF) NFEF is a IRS 501c(3) non-profit, from which one may deduct that contribution on their income taxes. All of the donations go to groups we support but from which we otherwise could not get a deduction if we donated directly to that group.
We are stronger as a unified force against those that would attempt to deprive us of our most fundamental civil liberties. Our unity and service to the community has saved this club at least twice in the past from attacks by the misinformed or those with an agenda. Other organizations have failed to unite in the past and are no longer with us today. Stay safe!
Information about FRGC or NFEF is available from the Director or Secretary/Treasurer at (208) 773-3624. E-mail at frgc@FRGC.org and our website is www.FRGC.org.
Annual Meeting notes:
I’d like to report on our annual meeting this past December as well. Steve Wick is our new President. Steve has held different club officer positions in the past and we are glad to have him back again! Thanks, Steve!
As some of you may have noted in her communications, our Secretary/Treasurer Janet Bunke has formally changed her name to August Fawkes. She’s back again in that office. She’ll have more on that from her later in this news.
Sam Tipton took VP at the meeting but recently advised me that due to personal reasons he will have to drop it. Thanks, Sam, for the previous year and this year’s efforts!
Also at the annual meeting we had a vote on a senior member discount, which was voted on and approved. While it seemed like a good idea at the time we ran into logistical and other reasons that prompted the Executive Committee to put it on hold. We will discuss this at the next meeting scheduled. At the very least, like the last dues increase, we needed to wait the first year to implement it if we can make it workable.
Website:
We have been experiencing some difficulties in getting the new web site up and are looking at other options in that area. Hopefully you will all see some exciting changes soon, including a Google calendar that will be much more user friendly to all of us to use as well easier for administration to update. It is coming!
Snow:
As we all have seen snow has been a big factor again this year. Fortunately we have had access to a CAT these past two tough winters. The average truck with plow could not have done our facility these past two years, it was just too deep. In the past we have used a combination of volunteer plowing, membership trades, and regular hiring of someone to plow and remove snow. This has been for both the road and getting snow off buildings before they collapsed. We have probably spent more these last two years than all years combined in the past, I suspect. However, especially in regards to the buildings, it is cheaper than having them collapse as too many other buildings did in our area this year. The heavy snow was also why we opted to cancel the :first of the year shoot” on January one. Not just the range conditions but for folks not being able to get out of their house to come to the range!
Guns!:
At the annual meeting we gave away three guns. Two were picked up during the Friends of NRA dinner which we help sponsor, and one was the DPMS AR-15 Bill Sahlberg of SPPL obtained for us through the generosity of DPMS. A very nice gun cabinet was won as well. The cabinet and a beautiful .22 Henry rifle and an equally beautiful Uberti .45 LC was won by members who had to be present to win at the dinner meeting. I don’t want to advertise the first two winners for privacy reasons but they sure looked happy to have come to the meeting! I don’t mind saying that I had the good fortune to win the AR-15. I always buy tickets for all the items to support our gun club and civil rights, much like many of our members. I am very happy to say that I am glad to have bought tickets for that one! It is always good to see the winner’s faces but I must admit it that it also feels real good to win one as well. Thanks again go to all of you who support FRGC and Friends of NRA. And thanks again go to the CDA Inn on Appleway and 95 for their great dinner at the meeting.
Grants:
We also are receiving a little over $12K from NRA for improvements such as the new covered lines on the first 3 bays. They also gave us a grant for $3K which will be used for new steel targets to replace our damaged and stolen stock. Thanks go to Terry Trembly for the first and Bill Sahlberg for the second one, with thanks also to August, our Secretary/Treasurer for helping them with additional paperwork required, etc. Terry also said that at the meeting with the NRA committee that awards the funds that we once again did well for a variety of reasons including the excellent bookkeeping and paper trail kept by our Secretary/Treasurer. Thanks August!
New Steel:
FRGC President Steve Wick, Bill Sahlberg, and I are looking at steel we will purchase from MGM Targets right now. We will probably be going with some rifle rated targets for the Rifle line as we plan to still repair what pistol targets we have remaining.
Other Improvements:
This year, in addition to covering the first three bays, we plan to run power and water to both ends of the facility, Have some road work done, hopefully laying and compacting a base with some of the fill material from the highway project and perhaps a better surface on that. If we can get this doe we will also look at putting in the new electric gate. We plan to also finish the lighting on the existing rifle line as well as some safety features similar to what is at the CDA Rifle and Pistol club has on their main range.
We also are talking with Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department about a proposal they brought to us for some improvements with which they could assist. I’ll save the potential details until we are further along but suffice it to say that the proposal is very exciting and is in the same mutually beneficial vein that we have a history of engaging in already. More on this to follow!
Secretary/Treasurer August Fawkes will be mentioning work day dates elsewhere in this letter as well as meeting dates. In addition to work days we will have opportunities for volunteers for different matches and events this year, such as the Appleseed Shoot.
Member suggestions:
During renewals we ask for suggestions. Let’s cover some:
Road improvement – As mentioned above, in the works for this year.
Free lifetime membership after 10 years annual – not discussed yet.
Easier access to first gate and only one gate with which to deal – The first gate is to be eliminated and the second will become primary with an electronic opener so one will not have to get out of car.
Formal target construction – assuming this means like the holders we have on rifle range. They get shot up badly at 100+ yards as it is so probably will stick with portables on pistol ranges because of damage incurred. We are in the process of Jim Parker making a bunch more to replace ruined ones.
500 and 1000 yard targets – haven’t considered as minimal interest.
NTL High Power course – we used to have these matches but need someone to step up to ramrod them again.
Varmint metal flip up targets – as above need someone to ramrod this type shooting to make feasible. We are looking at buying rifle rated steel targets some of which may be placed on rifle range for regular use.
Mobile targets – We have gravity movers that my school, SAFE, donated to FRGC years ago. The single target frames were abused and destroyed years ago and the running man/deer target set up is in the trailer for matches. It is still intact because it has not been generally accessible, sad to say.
Access to trailer again – See above. The remaining steel is not serviceable other than the Bianchi plate racks which are still working but damaged. Otherwise just maintenance stuff in the trailer.
Firearms training – Near and dear to my heart needless to say. We already have a variety of classes available at the club and always welcome more, but currently we also have to consider the very busy schedule there now. Check around for other instructors as well, such as Ed Santos at Center Target Sports or Shawn Carlock of Defensive Edge. These are just two that come to mind.
A .22 rifle at 200 yards is approximately a .308 or .30-06 at 1000 yards – Good to know, especially with our upcoming Appleseed Shoot!
An Indoor .22 range – Probably not likely but something close in mind is potentially in the works with the Sheriff.
Threats to our civil rights:
I have also had calls and inquiries about what we can do as a club and as individuals in light of the “new” political changes. I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and fears about this subject, and share them with you. My first thought is that until we change Congress, no change will occur. It is business as usual in Washington, DC. We elected a new President, not a King. (Maybe) Perhaps if we limited Congressional terms to two, like the President, we might see some change. How about their pay being maybe twice what we pay a buck private? And their medical benefits the same as that private. That pay and benefit package should end at the end of their term, so they can go back to whatever other productive work they were engaged in before serving their country. No more “professional” politicians, which really means professional thief too commonly. What they steal from us and our grandchildren with their pens surpasses any punk with a gun. I’m tired of being “served” by them in the current corrupt system, if you know what I mean. I could list a litany of other changes that would result in real “change” for this country, instead of the business as usual self-serving politicians we have now. Further bankrupting the country by spending us into destruction is not what I call responsible. If you are curious as to where we are headed a little history research is in order. One can start with the Roman Empire. Or, look up the difference between Keynesian Economics and Austrian Economics. Quit trusting these bastards! It WAS your money.
My second thought is that a right forgotten and unused is no longer a right. While I well understand NRA and other group’s strategies in the “Right to Carry” law enactments, I do have concerns about rights becoming privileges, especially in some laws such as the Utah permit paperwork where one signs and agrees that this permit is a privilege and not a right. Do you have a “permit to exercise free speech” or to assemble?
As one who has trained over 10,000 people in 22+ years, I was often asked, “When should I carry a gun?” My answer was, “when do you wear a seatbelt?” If we could see a criminal action coming we could avoid it, like avoiding a car accident. I guess I was a Boy Scout too long; I believe in “be prepared.” I have also seen the results of not being prepared in my many years as a firefighter/paramedic as well as a law enforcement trainer. In what I believe are going to be increasingly difficult financial times ahead it may behoove one to consider carrying for self-defense, now more than ever. Yes, thankfully, we live in an area less touched by crime than major metro areas. But, I said less touched, not untouched. How often do we hear the gun prohibitionists stating statistics as to the unlikelihood of being attacked, whether in town or in the woods? Well, much like the statistics against getting cancer, the numbers don’t matter when the doctor tells you the bad news. If I want to gamble I’ll go the Las Vegas or Reno, not gamble with my life. I want the odds in my favor in any potential conflict with the criminal element. Look at the recent attack on the off-duty officers in Spokane where one officer was stabbed even after announcing his office. That didn’t stop the perp. The officers found out that the gun in the car is not close enough. I suspect they had made a choice between carrying and social drinking at dinner and opted not to carry. I respect and understand this. My personal choice is to carry and not drink. Different strokes for different folks…… As the song says, “the times they are a-changing…” so like the Boy Scout, be prepared.
Do you want to become more proficient with your rifle? We have an Appleseed Shoot coming up on April 18 and 19, 2009. If you are unaware of the historical significance of this date I suggest a Google or other search for some interesting history. We have hosted these folks out before and not only do they have a great history lesson but put on a wonderful rifle course. We have talked about a youth program before, and at our last Appleseed we had more kids show up with parents and grandparents than we have ever seen. We hope for the same this year. There is nothing like watching a full firing line of multiple generations enjoying themselves exercising one of man’s most fundamental civil rights. Go to www.RWVA.org for information and registration. Early registration is highly suggested as turnout was high last time and we expect the same this time! FRGC also needs volunteers to help with parking, range assistants, etc. Please let August know at FRGC office (208) 773-3624. Thanks, and stay safe!
Safety:
We are attaching the most updated rules and regulations for your notes. Please note the changes, particularly regarding NOT putting ground level targets within the 100 yard space on the Rifle line. This still continues and when caught, that member WILL have their membership terminated! No more chances, no more education. We are posting the FRGC Rules and Regulations on the lines and building as well as specific signs addressing these key points.
Upcoming Construction:
If you have building skills and resources and would like to help in this year’s improvements please call and let us know. I know we have electricians, but also need plumbers to extend the water lines, skilled help to build the covered firing lines on the first 3 bays, and help in widening and improving the road. I have a CAT for some of that but we will also be clearing some brush and renting other equipment as well. The more help we have the more we get done this year. This can be one of our most exciting years for improvements! Thanks! Bob
Message from the President, Steve Wick:
For those that didn’t make it to the annual meeting in Dec., I wish to introduce myself. I was elected club President by a wide margin in a “one-horse race”. Many know me from my 3 years of service several years ago as club President, my filling in as VP last year, or having met me at one shoot or another at the club over the last 14 years. Duty called and here I am again, hoping to lead the club into its next phase. Things look promising for us, as we have several grants that are due, giving us the resources to do things I could only dream of during my last tenure. We are also looking at a long needed improvement to the county road leading to the club, but this is a mixed blessing. When done, the drive out will be much more pleasant. You won’t be looking over your right front fender wondering how close you are to the edge, or bouncing along wishing you hadn’t had that last cup of coffee before heading out. The construction will probably cause some delays getting there though, as all construction projects do, and we may have to dodge dump trucks at our front gate. I’m sure the crews will be starting up again just as soon as the weather permits, which isn’t that far away. Try to just grin and bear it, knowing the end result will be well worth it. We will also be completing our power and water installation to several of the firing lines, and will be trying to get some spoil from the road construction project to rebuild and repair our firing lines. As always, volunteers are always appreciated for the various maintenance or improvement projects we have, and once spring arrives, we’ll be asking for help. My thanks to Bob Smith, our Director, for his efforts in keeping the road into the range clear under very difficult conditions. I’m hoping one of our upgrades in the next year or two can be a surfaced road from the gate to the rifle line. We have to wait and see what the entrance looks like when the road crew is done, but it’s definitely on the wish list. If anyone has some really good connections with someone that could build a road, please let me know.
Steve Wick
From the Secretary/Treasurer, August Fawkes:
Well, maybe it is not quite SPRING yet but the break from the snow and the sunshine sure makes it feel like spring!
From the Secretary:
Happy Spring! Well…it’s not quite spring yet but I bet everyone is ready for it! I know I am! Normally, I love winter and want it to last as long as possible, but, I made the mistake of moving to Hauser Lake over the summer and winter here has been brutal. But, I will be correcting that mistake and moving back into Post Falls by the end of February.
OK…club stuff! The renewals went out in December, but as always, I have some members calling to say that they did not get their renewal. This is not uncommon as many times the renewals get destroyed by the post office. Sometimes the ripped up renewals get sent back to us but I bet many just get tossed in the trash. So, if you did not get a renewal or you lost your renewal, just send us a check for the $100 dues and that is totally acceptable. Be sure to put a note in with the check if you have any changes, i.e. spouse, address, etc.
There is also some confusion about the initiation fee. This fee is charged for new members or past members that have let their membership lapse for years. Some members were thinking that if they did not get their renewal in by the end of December the $50 initiation fee would be charged. Not so. If you are a current member the initiation fee would only be charged if you let your membership lapse for 3 or more years.
Also…if you have left a message for me at anytime and did not receive a call back, please call me back. I always strive to return calls within 24 hours but a last month I witnessed my cat walking across my phone and her paw hit the delete button! Great…so I got to wondering if she had done this before. I have since moved the phone. So, I just wanted to ask if anyone had called and did not get a return call to call me back in the event your message was deleted by my cat!
The annual meeting and dinner in December was a huge success as always. We had drawings for 3 different guns and a beautiful wooden gun case with etched glass sliding doors. The meal was wonderful as always! Make plans now to attend this years annual dinner at the Best Western CDA Inn at Appleway and 95. The date for this year’s dinner will be Saturday, December 5th. We will send out a reminder in every newsletter, send out an announcement in October and it is on the website calendar.
As has been mentioned and most members know by now, we did not have the annual New Year’s shoot due to all the SNOW!! That was a bummer. I always look forward to that shoot. But, not only were range conditions not favorable, but too many people were too bust digging out at their homes!
On a personal note, I have had a legal name change. I wanted to inform the club membership so that you will know that although the name has changed, it is still “me” as the secretary/treasurer. You see, I changed my ENTIRE name, not just the last name. I have wanted to change my name for MANY years, and now that I have done it, I wish I had done this years ago. I waited till so late in life to spare hurting my parent’s feelings. I knew a name change would upset them, although my mother changed her name. So I waited till they passed away. They have been gone 5 years and I decided “now or never”. I love my new name and have found the change to relatively simple and painless and most are adjusting well. Needless to say, new members will have no idea that I have changed my name. So, I felt it important to let everyone know so that if we have an event at the range, it would be understood why I am being addressed by two different names. If one member said to another: “Ask the club secretary, Janet” and they only know me by the new name, they’d say: “Who? I thought the secretary’s name was August”. I expect I will be addressed by both names for sometimes and that is OK. I just wanted to let everyone know to cut down on confusion. And if you continue to call me Janet, that is OK. I do not mind. My new name is “Augustine Bernadette Fawkes”. All 3 names have historical significance. The first two are saint’s names but there is actually more behind those names than just being saint’s names. “Fawkes” is from a historic figure in British history and is not an attempt to spell “fox” in a different way! I also pronounce it in the British fashion. (I promised my friends in England that I would not “Americanize” the name!) I use the less formal “August” for everyday.
Well, I think that is it for me. I am looking forward to an exciting year with many changes and improvements. Get involved and volunteer today! The last two winters have been hard on the range and we will need to do some sprucing up this spring!
See you at the range!
August