Keep Up The Fire!Cherokee IDPA -- IDPA.com -- USPSA.org --- ACM -- Pickens -- GADPA --- more December 24, 2006: I add 2 stages to the scoresheet and label the stages to lessen scorekeeper confusion regarding the Pit/Stage numbering. December 9, 2006: I deposit the match proceeds of $192 at CB&T and mail a donation (a tradition among the Club's shooting disciplines) of $100 for the annual Cherokee Gun Club banquet. I gave a $50 check for range fees to the CGC treasurer at the general meeting, and I'll give him the updated spreadsheet at the board meeting. Total club funds: $601. December 3, 2006: scores Twenty-five shooters compete on a surprisingly warm day. The club collects $192 from the 15 IDPA members, 7 CGC members (13 total), and 3 new shooters (including 2 CGC family members). Average squad size is 6, and the match lasts about 3 hours; one squad shoots the Classifier. My thanks to all the Safety Officers (without you not); to the setup crew (Horace, the Walts, Carl, and Jim L.); to Richard for registering everyone (and SO'ing the Classifier); and to the shooters for leaving the range even better than we found it. Special thanks to Dave for his generous donation of numerous shirts. Classified shooters can update their info online this year; the club number is 521; and I can sign your classification card as well. Lessons learned: The safety-officer walkthrough should cover stage procedures and clean-up; the scoresheets, timers, and clipboards; and squad rotation & leapfrogging. I need to add a few Club rules to the Cherokee IDPA webpage. Get more targets and pasters. November 14, 2006: With 8 unclassified shooters at the last match, it's time to make the Classifier available. At the December 3rd match, it will be set up in pistol pit 5, and the squad will be limited to 10 IDPA members. The Classifier will again be available at the February match and quarterly thereafter. November 11, 2006: Financial routine: deposit the match proceeds of $240 at CB&T, leave a $58 check for range fees in the CGC treasurer's mailbox along with the updated spreadsheet, and shoot Cherokee IPSC. Total club funds: $583. November 7, 2006: Every Election Day is somewhat of a memorial day for me, and it helps me name this weblog: a regimental motto, in memory of PFC Nelson Benjamin Goodenough, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, KIA/MIA: "On November 30, 1950 the majority of the 9th began to run the gauntlet to Kunu-Ri with the rest of the 2nd Division. The 1st Battalion remained with the 23rd Infantry Regiment to fight a rear guard action to cover the withdrawal of the rest of the Division. When Col. Freeman received word that the Division was being annihilated running the gauntlet, he requested and received permission to withdraw along another route. He attempted to contact the 1/9 to order them to withdraw, but was unable to do so. The majority of those battalion members are still carried as MIA." My cousin-once-removed's name is chiseled on a monument outside the Wood County courthouse, Bowling Green, Ohio. Speaking of elections, I am endorsing Carlos R. for Vice President of Cherokee Gun Club. Under his 5-year leadership, Cherokee IPSC became CGC's premier discipline in terms of monthly matches, state matches, and finances. I believe Carlos will help CGC attain its goal of becoming the best gun club in the Southeast -- in all shooting disciplines. On December 5th vote early, vote often.
November 5, 2006: scores Twenty-nine shooters compete on a fair, autumn day. The club collects $240 from the 18 IDPA members, 5 CGC members (13 total), and 6 new shooters (including 2 CGC family members). Average squad size is 10, and the match lasts about 2.5 hours. My thanks to all the Safety Officers (without you not); to the setup crew (Jack and Ron); to Wes for registering everyone; and to the shooters for leaving the range even better than we found it. Lessons learned: The six-stage match can be run in three pistol pits, leaving the fourth pit available for the IDPA Classifier -- or 2 more stages. Squad size was on the high side because we had one less pit and squad, but reholstering hot between stages in the same pit helped the pace of the match. Sharing a few targets between stages facilitates setup and can still give the shooter a different look/perspective. Get more pasters. We need more T-shirts. October 18, 2006: I leave a $120 check for the August and October range fees in the CGC treasurer's mailbox, along with an updated financial printout; and the first annual inventory of Cherokee IDPA's property in the past president's. Total club funds: $488. October 17, 2006: I start a financial spreadsheet for Cherokee IDPA and give a printout to the CGC treasurer at the board meeting. Henry reminds me to pay the range fees after each match, which I've completely forgotten to do. The board approves the first Sunday of the month as the regular match date, at 1 p.m. in pistol pits 5-8. October 8, 2006: scores Twenty-two shooters compete on a blustery day. The club collects $132 from the 12 IDPA members, 4 CGC members (7 total), and 6 new shooters (including 1 CGC family member). Average squad size is 7, and the match lasts just over 2 hours. My thanks to all the Safety Officers (without you not); to the setup crew (Austin, Carl, Horace, and Stan); to Richard for registering everyone; and to Carl, David, and Gary for leaving the range even better than we found it. Lessons learned: A safety-officer walkthrough may facilitate answering questions regarding procedures and scoring; adding a simple sketch to the description handouts may also help. Get more targets and pasters. September 24, 2006: The SOs are recognized at the award ceremony (my apologies to those I couldn't squeeze in, two of whom will be hosting next year's Nationals in Pennsylvania):  This was the 10th Anniversary Nationals. Seven of the 18 stages were taken from the 1999 -- 2005 matches. It was a tough match. The average SSP/MA score was 270: If this corresponds inversely to the average SSP/MA classifier percentage of 92.5, then only 15 of those 22 were shooting above the Master 85% cutoff, down some from the 4-out-of-5 the previous two years. The round count increased to 269 from last year's 224. While both matches had 18 stages on paper, reading the fine print reveals the number of stages increased to 24 from 19. Surprisingly, 2005 had more long stages (5 v. 3 over-twelve rounders). This year, the emphasis seemed to be on 2 shots, 2 shots, 2 shots, etc.; thereby shortening the stages somewhat, though perhaps at some expense of the IDPA style as well. In any case, I would like to see either larger squads or smaller bays. Splitting us into mini-squads of 3 or 5 just leads to nonstop pasting, less time to prepare, and fewer photos. The shooting would be even more enjoyable. Now the weather has cleared up and cooled down, and my roadtrip continues westward on Arkansas 10:  September 23, 2006: Squad 21 starts the morning off with Stage 1, Nationals Standards, a mere 42 rounds. We shoot in groups of three; I'm in the last group, with Jerry M. on my left and S Dave on my right; tell me again how I got on this squad? Then we move to the next bay of stages, which turn out to be my favorites. With CSO Craig B. presiding, Jerry has Enough of Stage 2, kicks over a car, and finishes with a flourish of support-hand shooting:  Stage 4: ESR Champion Jerry Miculek is Guarding the Exit as SO Kyle Wood (SSR/SS, 1st Place) and CSO Craig Buckland (SSR/MA, 1st Place) look on:  The mud is not a factor this morning. A chilling rain starts up, but we get to the fourth and final bay before it becomes steady. Jerry and I are in the first group, so we finish early and stand around in the rain, pasting. I ask him about his late father-in-law, James Clark, and we talk about Clark Long Slides, welding, and astounding feats of bullseye shooting. The match ends. September 22, 2006: Squad 21 shoots in the afternoon. It has stopped raining, but humidity and mud remain (and I appreciate Cherokee's sodded ranges all the more). The squad has 11 shooters, most from Smith & Wesson, with 5 Masters. Here's Jerry Miculek, ESR Master and Champion, on the move in a Subway Surprise (Stage 18) with CSO "Iron Mike" Webb tracking:  September 21, 2006: To rest up, I spend a warm and windy day at Pinnacle Mountain State Park and take some pictures, including the all-time worst of a Bald Eagle soaring above the summit:  That night at the reception, Horace and Claude swap stories with Joyce and Bill Wilson:  One story makes me wonder if there's an IDPA stage that can demonstrate the advantage of a tactical reload over a speed reload. (Note the absence of the ever asocial Capel.) September 20, 2006: My cameraphone arrived yesterday. Rumor has it the IDPA National Championship will be in another state next year, and I'll be squading with some exceptional shooters, so it's time to switch cell-providers and upgrade my phone. Now I'm chasing the sun to Memphis on U.S. 78 from Birmingham via Tupelo; then crossing black water, picking up I-40, and gliding on 32psi to Little Rock: 550 miles, 10 hours, 51.5 mpg (QuikTrip). September 19, 2006: The CGC board approves the next match date: Sunday, October 8th, at 1 p.m. in pistol pits 5-8. September 12, 2006: The Pact Club timers arrive, so I buy batteries and staplers and put them all in the range bins. The club's checking account is now set up, and the bank statement includes the August 22nd deposit and the check order, which I have received. Afterwards, I celebrate with 4 rounds of wobble trap. August 22, 2006: I go to a Gainesville branch of CB&T to deposit the match proceeds and Cherokee IPSC donation. The club's checking account isn't "in the system" yet; however, the teller assures me that I can still make the deposit with a starter slip. I'm a bit uneasy about this, but I do get a receipt -- and order some checks, too. Total club funds: $770. August 19, 2006: scores Thirty-eight shooters compete at the first public Cherokee IDPA match. The club collects $260 from the 19 IDPA members, 9 CGC members (14 total), and 10 new shooters (including 2 CGC family members). Average squad size is 9, and the match lasts 3 hours. My thanks to all the Safety Officers (without you not); to the setup crew (Austin, Manny, and both Myrons); to Beecher for smoothly registering everyone; and to the shooters for leaving the range even better than we found it. Special thanks to Kerry for generating interest in IDPA at CGC; and to Cherokee IPSC for making the target frames and providing the props, staplers, timers, clipboards, pens, as well as the registration shack -- nearly everything other than the targets and pasters. Lessons learned: The Pit/Stage numbering was confusing; I need to resolve this. A formatted Squad Sign-Up sheet would facilitate registration. The Match Briefing should include all the separate announcements I made. Timers are on order; get batteries, staplers, and more pasters. August 15, 2006: At the CGC board meeting, I sign paperwork for the club's checking account, get more paperwork (the waiver of liability form) and various keys, and learn how to leave the gate open. August 2, 2006: Cherokee IDPA is now an official, affiliated IDPA club, prime number 521.
July 4, 2006: After finishing the Cherokee IDPA webpage at CGC.org -- thanks to the help of the webmaster, Dave S. -- I whip up a short Perl script to generate match scores. Then I start this weblog. June 20, 2006: The CGC board approves Cherokee IDPA as a new shooting discipline. The first public match will be on Saturday, August 19, at 11 a.m. in pistol pits 5-8. The board will set up a checking account with start-up funds of $500, to which Cherokee IPSC generously pledged another $500, helping the $30 petty cash from the inaugural match go a lot further. Thanks to this great support, we will easily cover the initial costs:
Match fees for juniors and first-time shooters are waived; all other shooters must have either a current CGC or IDPA membership number, and the board sets their match fees at $10 for CGC members and their family members, $12 for non-CGC-members. June 17, 2006: scores Fifteen shooters compete at the inaugural Cherokee IDPA match in pistol pit 5 -- and actually seem to enjoy it. I collect $30 from the 11 CGC members, 1 family member, and 3 guests. This turnout indicates enough interest at Cherokee Gun Club for IDPA matches, so I'll ask the board's permission to set up an IDPA-affiliated shooting discipline here. Lessons learned: The ideal squad size is not 15, thus the match took nearly 4 hours; the Cherokee IPSC folks tell me the ideal is 7 plus S.O.'s, so that's what we'll try for next time. One short stage was complicated by 3 strings; I need to keep the design of all stages simple. May 2006: After the general meeting, the CGC board approves May 7 as the "practice-run" match. Interest seems to be growing, among both the membership and the board. Having the range officer this supportive is A Really Good Thing. I whip up a scoresheet and start collecting COFs. Unfortunately, the match is rained out. Still, the Club's secretary, Beecher D., and I manage to quickly run through the 6 stages, answering all the questions I have about running a match. To better gauge interest in IDPA among the CGC membership, at the board meeting I schedule the inaugural match for Saturday, June 17, at 11 a.m. in pistol pit 5. The match will be open only to members and their guests, with a target fee of $2, and announced in the newsletter. April 2006: There is a brief reference to IDPA in this month's Cherokee newsletter. The range officer, Kerry A., mentions the possibility of having IDPA matches at Cherokee Gun Club. I'm skeptical because there are already weekly indoor matches and 2 monthly outdoor matches in the Atlanta area. But while polling some fellow IDPA shooters I find a lot of interest. So, after the CGC board meeting, I tell Kerry we're also interested in shooting IDPA at Cherokee. Long story short: I'm the shoot coordinator until I can get someone to replace me. The first Sunday in May seems best for a "practice-run" match. (As the 9th shooting discipline at CGC and the Nth in the area, there are a lot of constraints on schedules.) I hope to do things which the other IDPA matches don't, thereby complementing them.
Autumn 2004: "In climbing, style is my first concern. The decision-making process is the challenge. Doubt and uncertainty are the essence; trying to balance them with my choices is the passion; no regrets is the rule. When I know the outcome, the game is different and in the end less fun. The experience is altered when I encounter humanity in any form, be it tracks, slings, pitons. Alpinism tests the limits of my strength, intuition, personality, character, emotion, and creative spirit. Every test is different. How will I resolve the logistical puzzle of a particular climb? Will I be able to figure out the route, the moves? Will I be able to adapt to the conditions, the weather, and above all to the friends with whom I share the experience? Which compromises will I accept, and at what cost? It is considered normal to avoid the uncertain, the unexpected, the unknown; but these are the catalysts for human progress, and they're my catalysts as well." (Marko Prezelj, Alpinist 8) September 2004: I suffer through my first IDPA National Championship when my mag-release bar-spring fails and my magazines pop out at random. I never again chuckle at someone else's gun problems. Still, it doesn't bother me too much because the day before I climbed my first mountain at nearby Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Arkansas. The Before Time: My first memory is of my mother saying, "Oh, look at the pretty white horses." It would be years before I make sense of the words and the black-and-white television image: It is JFK's funeral procession. She claims my favorite TV show then is Rawhide, but the earliest show I remember is Star Trek, the opening credits in particular. A few years later, my father installs a UHF converter, and I discover reruns of The Rifleman. I learn how to shoot a .22 rifle in the Boy Scouts, but most of my experience is with a Crosman air rifle. On Saturdays, I enjoy using it to sink littered cans and bottles in the quarry on my grandparents' farm. For our 13th birthdays, our grandmother (granddaughter of Yellowjacket) gives my cousin and me $200 each to buy .22 rifles. He gets a bolt-action Anschutz while I pick a semi-automatic Weatherby. Why anyone would want to shoot slow is beyond me. Last modified: 12/24/2006 |
