April 2003

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Tales, Anecdotes and Tales                         Ghost Writers of the Purple Sage Press

Of the Indian River Regulators                                                                    April 2003

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APRIL FOOLS

The April match brought a whole bunch of tricks out of the cowboy closet.  Everyone had fun at the quilting bee, all the horses escaped from the barn, and that “good guy” that ran out of the bank managed to avoid being shot.  The best trick of all was the one pulled by Mother Nature.  What started out as a full blown squall turned out to be fine, cool, breezy day to shoot.

We took a tip from our friends, the Hatbill Gang, and set up one stage as a team challenge-three cowboys shooting together with pistol, rifle and shotgun on the devilish Death Star (where’s Luke Skywalker when you need him?) Winners were: first place-Quicksdraw Connie, Rock n Rob, and Hoss McCabe; second place-Badlands Barry, Regulator Rude, and Lyon Lowe; third place- Broken Barrel, Cypress Sam and the brownie Queen!

Speaking of special events, Wicked Willie and his traveling band of cowpokes showed up in High Springs over the weekend for the 27th annual Pioneer Days festival.  The Wicked Gang held up the CSX train, disposed of the engineer, took the loot out of the strong box and hightailed it for their hideout.  A posse was formed and in the end, good prevailed.  White hats and black were joined by some of Florida’s most beautiful soiled doves, cowgirls, and sophisticated ladies.  The SASS folks certainly made a hit not only with the fancy shootout, but just strolling around town.  There may be some pictures on the town’s web site which we think is Highsprings.com.  If not, wait ‘till Night Train Kate and Slow Loadin’ Katie get their film back.  A big Regulators salute to everyone that participated-it was GREAT.

The Indian River Regulators would like to say howdy to new shooter Lyon Lowe (April fool!  It’s Wylie De!). Welcome to our pistol packin’ friends from across the state-you folks came a far piece to try your hand at this gunfight-hope y’all come back soon!  It was nice to see all the spectators-hope we have some future cowboys out there. 

As always, thanks to Quicksdraw Connie for her all weather proof brownies.  Muchas gracias to posse marshals Quicksdraw Connie, Bad Hombre, and those new folks, Turkey Creek Red and Night Train Kate.  A big tip of the Stetson to Utah and Burt Blade for setting up, and to Major Mistake, Lyon Lowe, Rock n Rob, Broken Barrel, Badlands Barry, Quicksdraw Connie, and El Hombre Hefley for tearing down.  Many hands really do make light work – and everybody gets off the range and over to the bar-b-que joint faster!  Hat’s off to Hoss for bringing down the Star.

COWBOY BIRTHDAYS

April fools:  Canyon Lake, Captain Wild Beard, Black Diamond Doug, and Hot Skillet

COWBOY CLASS & R/O CLASS

We have resumed the monthly cowboy classes on the first Saturday of the month. If you have never done action shooting cowboy style, and would like to give it a try, these are the folks to talk to.  If you need a little practice, or polishing of those very important shooting skills, this is a good time!  Please contact Utah at (321)951-1223 or Burt Blade at (321)242-8163. 

The next Level I R/O class will be in June.  Level II R/O class to be announced.

MULE CAMP

It’s gonna be here before you know it!  We hope to see a lot of our friends in Georgia later this month.  You should see some familiar faces among the stage drivers this year.  We wish all of you the best of luck.  Bring home lots of pretty prizes (or shop ‘till you drop, if not).

For those of you holding down the fort, Alligator Camp at Port Malabar promises a great time!

FROM THE PONY EXPRESS

Safety is always first and foremost.  Please remember Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club is a private range, and we have a lot of people shooting in areas you can’t always see.  Please do not handle your guns unnecessarily at your vehicle when transferring them to gun carts.  Be mindful of your muzzle direction.  Resist the urge to show off that new fancy rig until you are inside the action area in a designated safe area.  Observe the 10mph speed limit.  Please park in the open lot across from the registration area and NOT along the bullseye line.  Additional parking is available in the pistol practice area just south of Bay 1.  Parking inside the action area is limited to handicapped vehicles without trailers and Indian River Regulator Cowboy Council members.  Your support and consideration in these areas will make us better neighbors with our other shooting disciplines.

You know, it takes a lot of work for a fun, safe shooting day.  Everyone has something they can contribute.  Don’t let your posse marshal be the only one running the timer all day.  They are out here to have fun, too.  If you don’t know how to run a timer, we’d be happy to show you how they work.  The loading and unloading tables need attendance, times and scores need to be recorded, there is always brass to pick up, and there needs to be at least three spotters for each shooter.  Pitch in! It’s the cowboy way!

Visit us at our NEW website at http://www.indianriverregulators.com.  You’ll find scores, directions to the club, the monthly newsletter and exciting pictures to entertain you between matches.  Web Master Burt Blade has been instrumental in ramroding this enterprise and we hope it has made things a little more convenient for you.

Remember, at the Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club, all juniors shoot free of charge.  This is an excellent way to get more young people involved in our wonderful sport.  If you know someone who might be interested in cowboy action shooting, please encourage them to attend the cowboy class and come join the fun!

Need cowboy stuff? Bullets, clothes, hats, reloading equipment?  John’s Precision Bullets and Byrds Western Wear have the solution to your problem!  By supporting them and other cowboy vendors, you support cowboy action shooting locally.

Got comments? Suggestions? Criticisms? Got an idea for a stage?  WE WANT YOUR INPUT!  This is YOUR shoot and we feel this truly is an interactive sport!  You can write us, call us at (321)242-8163, or e-mail us at burtblade@earthlink.net – even if you want to remain a “Ghost Writer”.  We members of the press know how to protect our sources.  And now you can visit us on the web at http://www.indianriverregulators.com.

GOD BLESS AMERICA  &  HAPPY TRAILS

Next Shoot:                   May 24, 2003 – Alligator Camp

                                    June 28, 2003 - Tombstone

                                    July 26, 2003 – Revenge of the Stealth Bullets

                                    August 23, 2003 – How Hot is It?

Registration opens at 9:00am, mandatory shooter’s meeting at 9:30am, shooting starts at 10:00am.  Cost is $10.00 per person.  All first time shooters with the Indian River Regulators must check in with safety officers prior to the shooter’s meeting (please register early so you can join your posse on time).

                   Visit our NEW website at http://www.indianriverregulators.com

Ghost Writers of the Purple Sage

P O Box 100861

Palm Bay   FL   32910