Newsletter Archives for the V.G.C.A.
V.G.C.A. NEWS May, 2002
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This Month's Topics:
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General. Please remember that there will not be a meeting in June or July.
Next Meeting. The next meeting, as usual, will be on the fourth Thursday of the month. Please note that in this instance, it is not the last Thursday in May. It will be at 7:30 p.m. in the NRA Conference Room on 23 May, NOT 30 May. Bill Chronister and Marc Gorelick will present a program on .22 Military Training Rifles. Please bring any that you would like to show the members. If the museum is open until 8 p.m. for us to see the Reel Guns of the Movies display, the meeting will begin at 8 p.m.
Picnic. The annual picnic will be at the NORVA facility on Saturday, June 1st and, as always, is free. You can get there as early as 10 a.m. if you like. The beef and pork barbecue will once again be the secret recipe of Ed Johnson. Soft drinks will also be there. All you have to bring, besides your guests and guns (guns and ammo if you- want to-shoot), is-a favorite covered dish,. salad, or dessert with enough to feed your group and four others. Chow time starts at noon. The food alone makes it worth attending. I have adjusted other commitments so I can be there to eat and try the shotgun range again.
This year we will have printed Range Rules, which you must sign, for the first time. A copy of the rules and directions to the picnic are printed back-to-back on the accompanying page. Just follow the red arrows and come on out.
Please remember, as always when out there, to stay in the graveled and cleared areas because we don’t want anybody to meet face-to-face with a snake.
April Meeting. The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance. Addison told us that Hugo’s was now wired, and it is now possible that we can get the State Police to help us out with the required Background Checks at the next show. He also passed the sign-up sheet for the picnic. You will have another chance to sign up at the May meeting or by calling Addison.
Pete Roberts mentioned that perhaps the VGCA should raise the monetary value of the awards at our shows. The Executive Committee will discuss it in the future.
Phil Hill then gave an update concerning the last show, and Ed Costello updated our financial status. After that, Addison presented a well-deserved plaque from the VGCA to Phil for his outstanding contributions of time, effort, and competence in all that he does in making our shows the success that they are. Addison also presented one to me on behalf of the VGCA. Phil and I wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the membership for the thoughtfulness.
Burt Sauers presented the program on Marlin rifles. His Marlin collection represents the Golden Age of arms manufacturing. He showed us the four variations of the Model 1881: the Models 1891, 1893; 1894, and 1895. He also showed and talked about his Model 1888, which is one of the less than 5,000 that were manufactured. We also saw the first model made with a side ejector, the 1889, of which 38 were made in 1894 in the .25-20 caliber. Burt gave an outstanding presentation and brought a few chuckles with his comment, “Winchester made money, but Marlin made guns.”
Show and Tell. Burt’s program was followed by another great Show and Tell. Dick Berglund showed a Winchester Model 54 in .22 Hornet, and Ernie Lyles a Model 95 Marlin in .45-70. Roger Sherman then showed a customized Ballard with a Marlin action in .32-40. It was made to put 100 rounds in the same hole and to quote Roger, “It represents machining at its best.” Roger also took me to task for giving ownership of his Cadet Rifle he showed at the last meeting to Sonny Laine. Hey everybody, it was, is, and will always be Roger’s rifle. My apologies to Roger, and I wish it were mine.
Emory Hackman then talked about his one of 25,000 Model 19S shotguns made in the 1906-1907 timeframe. It is.12 gauge with a 32-inch barrel. Tom Kyriakakis then showed us his pride and joy, a Steyr .32 pistol. It was Steyr’s first postwar design, and only 913 were produced. His is number 885. There are only 14 known today to be in the United States, and there are 27 known in Austria.
Richard Baker was next with a Marlin Model 39S .22 that his grandson shoots in 4-H matches. Bill Chronister followed with a Mossberg Model 142A with its original sling, and he was followed by Jack Zimmerman with a Marlin 1873 revolver that is the oldest gun in his collection.
Kelly Cook led the last trio with a rifle built by Al Edge and a Hawken pistol. Bob Sears showed one made by Jim Phillips in 1879, and I regret that I don’t remember if it was a rifle or a handgun. Henry Romberg closed by showing a clone of an Andrew Freyberg gun, which was the predecessor of Iver Johnson. Again, I missed what the gun was.
New Members. Twelve new members were welcomed into the organization. They are Scott Bienhacker, James M. Bond, Richard W. Davis, Ralph C. Ennis, James G. Golden, James L. Hoffman, Joseph F. laquinto, Travis Jones, Robert Kondik, Louis J. Nolan, Marc Sehring, and Brian B. Turner.
Secretary's Subtleties. Please try to get to the picnic. A good time is always had by all. Some of you are already wondering if there will be a “but.” Yes, there is one. We have Range Rules this year, and they must be signed by any non-NORVA member who wants to shoot. Three years ago it was downright dangerous, two years ago it was better, and last year the good Lord looked after us. We had at least two loaded weapons- pointed at people, we had unattended children running loose at and at the flank of the firing line, and we had a rifle being loaded while people were downrange. Addison will run the range again but only with help. He needs at least four volunteers who are experienced shooters. If my name was Addison and there were not four who would volunteer to help, then there would be no range firing. That would hurt those of us who only shoot once or twice a year and probably cause someone to want to do more than take my name in vain. Addison’s number is at the top of the page; call to help on the range.
President's Corner. We had a great show, continue to have great meetings, and hope to have another great picnic. Please take Mike’s comments about the range to heart. I want everyone to come, to have fun, and to be safe. None of us want anybody snake bit or shot. Everyone should leave the picnic with a full belly and great memories of a wonderful day. Please, let’s not have anybody leave with a lead weight gain. Come on out. Have a safe-and-sane 4th, but let’s have a safe-and-sane 1st first. --Addison
INSTRUCTIONS AND WAIVER FOR NON NORVA MEMBERS WHO WILL BE SHOOTING AT THE VGCA- NORVA PICNIC ON JUNE 1, 2002
- IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF BOTH CLUBS, ALL NON NORVA MEMBERS, THEIR GUESTS, AND CHILDREN MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING RULES AND SIGN TO INDICATE THAT THE RULES ARE UNDERSTOOD AND WILL BE COMPLIED WITH.
- THERE WILL BE THREE (3) RANGE SAFETY OFFICERS (RSOs) ON DUTY WHEN SHOOTING IS TAKING PLACE: ONE ON THE LEFT, ONE IN THE MIDDLE, AND ONE ON THE RIGHT. ALL COMMANDS WILL BE GIVEN OVER THE PA SYSTEM. WHEN THE RANGE IS READY, THE COMMAND “THE FIRING LINE IS HOT-COMMENCE FIRING” WILL BE GWEN. YOU MAY THEN SHOOT. IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS—YELL LOUDLY “CEASE FIRING” AND THE LINE WILL BE SHUT DOWN. THERE WILL BE NO FIRING UNTIL THE BLINKING RED SAFETY LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. AT THE COMMAND “CEASE FIRING—THE RANGE IS COLD”, ALL FIRING MUST CEASE IMMEDIATELY AND ALL WEAPONS MUST BE CLEARED. WHEN THE RED BLINKING LIGHTS ARE ON—ALL SHOOTING MUST CEASE AND ALL ARMS MUST BE CLEARED AND ACTIONS LEFT OPEN. ALL MAGAZINES MUST BE REMOVED FROM ALL WEAPONS. ALL ACTIONS MUST BE LEFT OPEN AND ALL MUZZLES POINTED DOWN RANGE. NO ONE IS TO TOUCH ANY WEAPONS WHILE THE RANGE IS “COLD”. ONLY WEAPONS BEING FIRED MAY BE ON THE TABLES. ALL OTHER WEAPONS MUST BE IN CASES OR IN THE VERTICAL RACKS AT THE BACK OF THE RANGE.
- IF YOU BRING GUESTS OR CHILDREN, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CLOSELY MONITOR THEM ON A ONE (1) TO ONE (1) BASIS. MANY CHILDREN AND GUESTS ARE NOT EXPERIENCED SHOOTERS AND YOU MUST ASSIST THEM AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CONDUCT AT THE RANGE. ANY SAFETY VIOLATIONS NOTED BY THE RSOs CAN RESULT IN YOU AND YOUR GUESTS AND CHILDREN BEING ASKED TO LEAVE THE RANGE. IF YOU HAVE SEVERAL CHILDREN UNDER 18 OR GUESTS, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS THEIR SPONSOR TO WORK WITH THEM ON A ONE (1) TO ONE (1) BASIS.
- THE RANGES WILL BE OPEN ONLY WHEN RSOs ARE ON DUTY, AND THE RANGES WILL BE CLOSED DURING LUNCH WHEN IT IS ANNOUNCED THAT THE FOOD IS READY.
- WHILE THERE ARE LIMITED SUPPLIES OF OSHA-APPROVED SAFETY GLASSES AND EAR PLUGS AVAILABLE AT THE RANGE, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU AND ALL YOUR SHOOTERS HAVE ADEQUATE EYE AND HEARING PROTECTION AT ALL TIMES AT THE RANGES.
- AS A NON NORVA MEMBER, I UNDERSTAND THAT MY GUESTS, MY CHILDREN, AND I ARE SHOOTING AT OUR OWN RISKS. WE ABSOLVE NORVA AND THE VGCA FROM ANY RESPONSIBILITY FROM ANY ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES OR DEATH THAT RESULT FROM ANY AND ALL ACCIDENTS OR MISHAPS AT THE RANGE.
- I WILL ENSURE THAT ALL OF MY GUESTS AND FAMILY WHO ARE NOT SHOOTING WILL REMAIN BEHIND THE SHOOTERS WHO ARE ON THE FIRING LINE. THE FIRING LINE OUTSIDE OF THE COVERED RANGE WILL BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH TAPE.
- I UNDERSTAND THAT ALL GUESTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OVER 18 MUST SIGN AND ACKNOWLEDGE THESE RULES AND WAIVERS. CHILDREN UNDER 18 ARE UNDER MY RESPONSIBILITY AND THESE PERSONS WILL BE LISTED BELOW.
- BY MY SIGNATURE AND PRINTED NAME AND DATE BELOW, I CERTIFY THAT I UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE RULES AND WAIVERS AND I WILL ABIDE BY THESE RULES AND I ACCEPT THE CONDITIONS OUTLINED ABOVE.
Failure to sign means you, your children, and your guests cannot shoot.
Signed Name__________________________________ Date___________________________
Printed Name_______________________________
Names of children and or guests under 18 that I will be supervising on a 1:1 basis:
Directions to the Picnic
Take Route 66 West to Interstate 81. Go South and get off at Exit 296.
Turn Right (West) on State Road 55 and continue for about 11 miles.
Turn Left on 604 after crossing Cedar Creek.
Continue for about 3 miles and turn Right into the property on Pug Mill Road.
The phone number at NORVA is 540-465-5079.
Signs will be posted from 81 all the way to the NORVA property. The signs will be VGCA signs with arrows pointing the way.