Sad day in Vermont.

[Jim Pag]

It was indeed a sad day in Vermont. At the beginning of the match, Bill "DOC" Sargent informed all the shooters that today would be the last single yardage match for the year at the Caledonia Forest & Stream Club in St. Johnsbury, VT. All other single yardage matches will be cancelled. The only matches that will go on this year is the 2 day IBS State Meter Match in July and the 2 day IBS yardage match in September. Do to reasons that I can't divulge, I have a feeling that unless somebody steps up and takes over running these matches, this will probably be the last 2 IBS shoots ever to be held in Vermont. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank Doc, Reed and DeWayne Garfield for always going all out to put on some great matches. I'm going to miss all you guys and I'm sure I'm speaking for every shooter from the State of Maine. All us guy's love shooting there and it's too bad these uncontrollable things are happening.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Thats a sad deal for sure. Vermont is beautiful. I love looking at pictures of it but dont plan on ever creeping thru there again

 

[B.Larson]

Matches

Yes...........we all enjoy coming setting up your gear shooting loading up and going home....... BUT.... it takes a lot of work to set-up .....targets...water.... rest rooms....cleaning...... pa system.....run a match.......talley scores.....awards ceremony....sending out results.......... if each shooter would commit to just a bit of help...... there would be more matches......too much work for 1 man/family or 4 men.........
bill

 

[Jim Pag]

Yes...........we all enjoy coming setting up your gear shooting loading up and going home....... BUT.... it takes a lot of work to set-up .....targets...water.... rest rooms....cleaning...... pa system.....run a match.......talley scores.....awards ceremony....sending out results.......... if each shooter would commit to just a bit of help...... there would be more matches......too much work for 1 man/family or 4 men.........
bill

It has nothing to do with anything that you said.

 

[vtmarmot]

I Am Truly Sad About This

I'm very sorry to hear this news. I am taking a year off from shooting to have a house built in New Hampshire and move there from Vermont. It's taking most of my time and all of my money. I was looking forward to shooting some IBS matches in St. J next year. It's the only place I have ever shot benchrest and I think that Reed, Bill, Dwayne and the others have done a great job with the matches. I really enjoy the facility too. I will continue as a member and will shoot whatever other types of matches are put on there, such as the egg shoots, service rifle and bolt rifle.

It seems like every club of every type I've ever been in has depended upon the dedication of a few hard working members to put on events. In some cases, I was one of those people, and I understand how burnout can set in. Younger members have pressures of jobs and significant others and maybe families. Older folks just plain get tired. People that live a good distance away are doing good just to get up early, drive a long way, compete, and then make it home at a reasonable hour.

I don't have an answer for this. I just think that a club needs to have a fair-sized local cadre of workers that are in that sweet spot between when the kids disperse and when the desire to slow down sets in. Another factor is that people are working longer in life, mostly out of necessity. I'm about to turn 65 and plan on working until at least 70. Sleeping in on the weekends just seems a lot more important these days.

 

[glp]

Peter

well, if your new digs in NH is close enough to the Maine border come join us in Augusta for IBS score matches. Good luck with the new house and move. Vermont just isn't the quiet, conservative, agri based state it was in the Coolidge days is it? Greg

 

[vtmarmot]

Not by a long shot

No, things have sure changed. I work in New Hampshire, and spend a lot of time there. It seems like a pretty normal state. Nobody is carrying on about being first in the nation or the universe to do this, that or the other thing. It's a wonder there aren't more cases of dislocated shoulder in Vermont from people patting themselves on the back. I lived in Georgia for 21 years after growing up in Vermont. That gave me some perspective about how refreshing it can be to live somewhere that people don't feel the need to constantly toot their own horn.

The libs have taken over and don't mind letting you know that any little unliberal sentiment brands you as a complete reactionary conservative neanderthal. I avoid social gatherings because I have to hold my tongue so much. There are still a lot of good conservatives in Vermont, but you find them mostly at gun shows and shooting ranges. I will continue to compete with my shooting friends in Vermont, but I'm also looking forward to being an hour closer to Maine so I can try other venues. I shoot F-class too and would like to try Scarborough.