Range Improvents Continuing--- Thanks Fieg Bros. Coal

Range improvements are an on-going process and we have been working on it.
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The Club has been making a push to strengthen the 100 yard backstop by increasing its height.  Clearing the trees and brush for the 50 yard handgun range in the area near the outhouse as commenced.  It is a step-by-step process.
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To this end, Fieg Bros. Coal just donated a couple of tri-axle loads of badly needed fill.  Scott Fieg was very gracious in making this donation.   Scott, please accept our appreciation for stepping forward with your help.
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Fieg Bros Coal making a delivery.

Delivery was made Tuesday (30AUG2016).  Joe Popovich reported 1.25 inches or rain at the coal dock Monday night so it was not surprising that the ground at the Club was too soggy to take the truck in where the fill is needed.  Plan B was used and the fill stockpiled near the tool shed to be moved later.
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A big THANKS to Fieg Bros.

Plans include embedding used tires in the backside of the backstop to help stabilize the fill.  This should allow us to reach the height needed making the best use the fill we have.
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An access road is being planned from where the fill is piled back to the head of the handgun range (to the left of the 50 yard backstop).  This will allow easier access to the handgun range when completed.
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Anyone wanting to get involved with this project, let us know.  The more hands, the lighter the load.
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Let's be safe out there!

An Experiment....!

A new member (Brian Wingard) wasted no time in getting involved......
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An avid fisherman (in competitions, too), he approached me about trying to improve the fishing in our dam.  He proposed "raking" the dam to remove some of the weeds to give clear water and less tangles for the fishing lines.
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I do not fish so Brian educated me on the ups and downs of this process and a plan was developed.  Since fishing was part of the Women In The Outdoors activities, Brian would rake the section of the dam that they would be using.  Then, data would be gathered on the success of the venture.
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The raking occurred at the end of July and the WITO took place on the 6AUG.  I have not had the chance to compare notes with Michelle Holt yet to find out if the raking made a difference.  You will just have to check back to get the final results.
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In the meantime, here are some images of the raking process-----
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The spit near the bridge was the test area.

Brian and unknown helper.

Quite a pile of weeds from a small area.

THE RESULTS.

Thanks !, Brian and unknown friend.
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And thanks to Scotty Wagner for the images... and for hauling the weeds away.   He is composting the stuff, but that's another experiment for another post.
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Let's see how this first attempt turns out.  Brian reported that there is a LOT of weeds in the that dam.  If this helps improve the fishing, we may need to gather a crew to make a big difference.
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Stay tuned for further updates and feel free to leave comments about this project.
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A Lot Is Happening......

It has been way too long since a Post has been added... apologies for that because it has been a busy summer at our Club thus far.
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Part of my lateness is due to always waiting to get  images to post... I am not going to wait any longer--
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First, cudoes to Tyler Landis for finishing his Eagle Scout Project--- the archery range.  There are bag targets at 20, 30, & 40 yards.  Better hurry and take a look, Hunter Perdew was using it today.  He was quite impressed and said he plans to use it more to get his new bow ready for the fall archery season.
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To help catch up here is a collage of images that I do have to show some of the activities taking place at the Club.  Remember, this only represents those activities of which I am aware.  I am sure there others taking place.  So, take no offense, this is what I know...
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Scotty's newest toy!

If you have never shot steel, you haven't lived.  Scotty picked up this horizontal plate rack to have some fun.  I feel lucky that he invites me to shoot with him, it's a barrel of laughs.  Note the rope that allows the plates to be reset without having to walk.  Pretty neat, Scotty. THANKS for sharing.
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Stay tuned --- we are trying to get an open house of sorts arranged for some time in September.  If we get any interest.  We'll certainly want to give members a chance to try their hand at steel.
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Just today, I got this image on the water....

Isaac Bittner has his own approach to getting the fish.

You may have to enlarge the image, but this member has taken to the water with his kayak.  It is good to see members using the facilities in different ways.
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Not all of the activities are purely fun.  Some are downright hard work.  This work allows all of us to enjoy the opportunities that our Club offers.  Clean up work like that done by Dave and Michelle Holt is always needed.

Removal of the leaves was badly needed

Sanded tables tops makes for better use.

Their clean-up around the Pavillion really makes it more inviting.
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Besides the Pavillion, they also took care of the area around the storage shed and part of the lawn around the horseshoe pit.
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Many THANKS!

This is the back, imagine how nice the front looks!

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This past Saturday the 'Walker Crew & Co.' brought in a skid loader operated by Tanner to do some heavy lifting.

Operator Tanner with Keegan and Carson directing.  Scotty is just watching (lol).

My understanding is that the Walkers donated equipment and labor (including Bunk &grandson Carson), and Scotty Wagner engineered the backstop using a new design that he wanted to try. The railroad ties were donated by Baker's in Somerset.
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Bunk and Carson handle the ties.....

A little fine tuning ....

The amount of work done is deceptive when looking at the finished product.

NICE JOB, guys!!  A lot of members will benefit from this day's labors when they sight in their rifles this hunting season.  More will benefit just from general use of this backstop.
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Besides the backstop work, this crew did some landscaping and organizing of materials too heavy to move by hand.  Pictures do not do that work justice, so I invite the membership to visit and look around.... enjoy yourself..... and if you bump into any of the members mentioned above, thank them for their efforts.
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It is always nice to be appreciated.
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I want to also point out that "the grass is always cut"...... something too easy to take for granted.
There is NO doubt that we all notice how nice the place looks with the grass neatly trimmed.  The bulk of that effort is being done by 'Bailey & Co'--- and a good job it is!  Be sure to tell them when you see them.
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If you enjoy the shooting range, thank Bill Perdew and Larry Pritts (and Grace)..... all have a had a hand in keeping the place looking good .. .. Scotty Wagner has taken the time to cut the brush back along our long 'driveway'.
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If I missed anyone, please let me know so I can add them ...  if I missed you, it was not by intent, but by ignorance... let me know, allow me to fix it.
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Have a good time at your Club and "be safe out there".......
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NEW vs OLD.....

In need of some TLC.

The Club has been fortunate to have some really nice improvements donated recently (see past posts w/r 200 yd bench, horseshoe pit, archery targets, road improvements, backstop work).
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While enjoying these new additions, we, as members, must take on the responsibility of keeping them in good repair.  It was with that thought that the outdoor grill near the pavilion came to mind. 
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The grill was in bad shape and not very inviting to use.  Some might have said it was junk, something to throw away..... BUT note the blue placards on the side----

Thank You-- M & M Welding !!

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This grill was a donation, it needed to be maintained to show respect to the donors!  A couple hours and a little BBQ paint ------ and there you have it.  A pretty good looking functional grill for members to use and enjoy (see previous post).  Just like the original donors intended.
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Restoration complete.

I would like to thank Mark Craig for showing me the placards he placed on the projects he made for our Club.  If not for that, I may never have noticed the placards on the grill.  You see, that made the decision to restore the grill an obvious one.  We (members) have the obligation to  maintain and preserve donations made to the Club. 
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Usually, that is all that donors want in return-- to see that appreciation for their efforts. 
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If you can help with something, please bring your ideas to one of the officers.  We all benefit in the end by enjoying the use---
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I sure did!!!

Fruits of the labor.

Celebrating Memorial Day

Red,White and Blue to honor our Veterans.

It was a beautiful day---- a good time to reflect on this Memorial Day....

--- Thank you to all who have given so much to keep us free !!!
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Nice work Bill !!

We are able to do these things----

The "Cookout" after the "Shootout".

--- because our rights and freedoms are being protected by the men and women who serve. 

MAY MEETING

Besides the regular business, progress on the new Archery Range was discussed and members of the Women In The Outdoors (WITO) were present to discuss their up-coming Conference (6AUG2016).
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Check out the WITO Event Page for class descriptions and contact info for the conference.
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Young Alex surveying the Archery Range.

WITO members looking to make use of the new range.

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Tyler explains his plans for .the Archery Range.

Just In ! ----

Several items have been received for this Thursday's Meeting
--- Idea for a Club Shooting Match
--- Brochure is in for the Women In the Outdoors Conference (WITO)
--- Update on Archery Range... it has been started
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Be sure to attend and bring a friend......
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Meeting is at 7:30PM @ the Club House.
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