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ROI Class in Springfield, Illinois

Lady Viper — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:57:08 +0000

You’re Invited to join us for the

Range Operations Basic Safety Course
[Level I] known as ROI

in Springfield, Illinois

12 noon – 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

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The ROI Course is taught by taught by Boben Weev, SASS Regulator,with assistance from Lady Viper and Brisco Big’n. Shooters from other clubs are welcome to join us.

What is it?
The SASS Range Operations [ROI] Basic Safety Course is offered to shooters in order to assure SAFETY and CONSISTENCY at cowboy action matches. It helps participants understand the rules and regulations of cowboy action matches and become both safer and more astute shooters.

Who should take the course?

New Shooters who would like a better understanding of what’s going on at matches.
Experienced Shooters who just haven’t gotten around to taking the course.
Shooters who have been away from the game for awhile and could use a safety refresher.
Shooters who are already an ROI but would like a rules “refresher” [because SASS rules have changed since they took the course].

How much does it cost?

Cost is $15 for new participants, paid in advance. This covers the cost of your handsome ROI yellow pin that SASS will send you when you pass the course [Don't worry about the test -- it's no big deal].
Any existing ROI or ROII may sit in on the class for FREE as a “refresher course.”

How do I sign up?

Print out the Sign-Up Form and send it to Spud Davenport, Treasurer [address is on the form] along with your check for $15.
OR Use our handy Online Payment system if you’d like to pay by credit card.
NOTE: If you’re already an ROI and want to take the class as a “refresher” please E-mail Lady Viper and let her know that you plan to attend.

Where does it take place?

If group is small, we”ll have the class at the home of Lemon Drop Kid and The Blonde, who have graciously offered their home for the afternoon and will order pizza for us [we'll chip in for costs].
If group is larger, we’ll head for MCL Restaurant [where we had our Annual Awards Banquet].
We will know the location ahead of time. Either way, it should be quite pleasant.

What else do I need to know?

We need a minimum of 7 people signed up in advance to run the course. This might be a combination of “new” and “refresher” participants.
Bring your own 32-page ROI Course Booklet. .>>> Here is the link to print it out. We will have a few booklets available at the class for $3 per booklet.
If the course is canceled for lack of participation, the pre-paid registrants will receive a refund.
If the course takes place but pre-registered people do not show, they will not receive a refund and their course fee will be a donation to the Long Nine Cowboys.
We will take “walk ons” on the day of the course if space is available.
Any new participant who earns their yellow ROI pin will be rewarded with a wooden coin worth $5 off any outdoor match with the Long Nine Cowboys in 2012.
Bring lunch money if you plan to eat with us.

January 2012 Match Results and Awards Banquet

Lady Viper — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:45:20 +0000

We had fun at our January Shoot-Out in the Winter Wonderland with our Annual Awards Banquet, Annual Meeting, Elections, gag gifts and more following the match at MCL Restaurant in Springfield, Illinois.
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We had 7 clean shooters out of a total of 27.
January 2012 Scores are posted.
See January’s Clean Shooters.
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And the winner is…[many more photos & awards to come this week]

Thank you to each of you who renewed your membership before the Annual Awards Banquet. If you did, you were eligible for the prize drawing. The winner of the Free Shoot is The Trainman.

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Officers for 2012 are: President Brisco Big’n, Vice President Lady Viper, returning as Treasurer Spud Davenport, returning as Secretary Marley Devereau, returning as Match Director Don Jorge, returning as Liason to the Lefthanders Gun Club Turquoise Tony, and returning as Territorial Governor [TG] Lemon Drop Kid.
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Top Five Guns of the Long Nine Cowboys for 2011 are determined by the season’s Final Match Points:

1st – Don Jorge
2nd - Lady Viper
3rd [Tie] -
Black Jack McGinnis
Lt Dan
4th – Montana Ranger

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Check back later this week for the complete list of Awards for 2011 and many more new photos in the Photo Gallery.
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See all the Clean Shooters

Happy New Year 2012 – January Indoor Match

Lady Viper — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:59:33 +0000

It’s a New Year in Cowboy Action Shooting!

We hope you can join us for our Winter Wonderland Match at our winter indoor range in Springfield, Illinois.
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January 22, 2012
Sunday
NOTE New Time: Shooter’s Meeting at 8:30 a.m.
We will start shooting at 8:45 a.m.
Everyone is welcome! Please be on time!!!
Directions to Bullet Express Range just off I-55.

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Renew Your Membership – Win a Prize!

When you renew your membership by January 22, 2012, we’ll put your name in the hat for chances to win our exclusive Cowboy Shooter’s Goody Pack — a collection of fun prizes. (You’ll get 3 chances to win for each Family Membership and 2 chances for each Individual Membership. Drawing will be at the Annual Meeting). This year you can either Renew Online or send us your payment with this printable membership form.

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Annual Banquet
Following our January Indoor Match

Join us at MCL Restaurant on Wabash Avenue in Springfield for the
2012 Awards & Annual Banquet at 12:30 p.m.
Sunday January 22, 2012

Everyone is welcome, NOT just club members!! Each person takes care of purchasing his/her own lunch from the buffet line. The club will provide beverages [coffee, tea, and soft drinks] and dessert. It’s fun a plenty!
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Play the White Elephant Game at the Annual Banquet

Each person brings a “gift” ONLY IF he/she want to participate in the “game”.

We place all gifts on the table, then we count how many are participating.

Each participant draws a number out of the hat and that becomes the order in which they choose the tempting gifts. The person with #1 will choose the first gift and so on down the line. Then the trading begins!

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Stages Posted Ahead of Match

We’ll continue to post stages on this web site well ahead [5-7 days] of the upcoming cowboy matches. If any of you have a particular favorite scenario or suggestion, please contact the Match Director or Webmaster from the Contact Us page.

Stages are posted for the January match on the Scores & Stages page. Last years’ scores are archived. You can reach them from a link on that same page.

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Want to Get More Involved?

If you’re interested in getting more involved with the Long Nine Cowboys [especially if you live near the Springfield area], great opportunities abound in becoming a Board Member or helping out at matches or setting up before matches.

Club decisions are made by the board and matches are run by board members. There are openings to fill for 2012. Let one of the club organizers know your interest before the Annual Meeting [see Contact Us page for a list of officers and organizers]

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Illinois SASS State Championship

Information and applications are now available for the “Illinois State Shoot” which runs from May 18 – May 20, 2012 at the World Shooting Complex in Sparta, Illinois.

Once again, our own Boben Weev and Miss Weev are two of the major organizers of the event.

–>> View printable application.

$50 Reward Offered
Don Jorge lost his “screw-knife” in October, sometime between the cowboy match and the wild bunch match [4th and 5th weekends in October]. It has a light bone and metal handle and a Damascus-like blade. He’s offering a $50 reward for its safe return.

December 2011 Match Results

Lady Viper — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:56:47 +0000

Our December “Waiting for Santa” match was fun, with a group of 21 shooters in a festive holiday mood.
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We had 7 clean shooters — An amazing 33%

We welcomed three “new” or “newer” shooters to our midst:

- Mad Jake Mattson – A brand new cowboy shooter
- Gurdy June – Joining us for her 2nd cowboy match
- The Trainman – He shot with us for the first time

We hope to see all of them back with us on January 22nd for our first shoot of 2012 followed right after the match by our Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet at MCL Restaurant in Springfield, Illinois.
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December Scores are posted

Final Match Points for 2011

Thanks to everyone who helped set up and tear down the stages before and after the match. You were exceptionally efficient! We look forward to seeing you in 2012.

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December Indoor Match 2011

Lady Viper — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:52:11 +0000

Remember—We shoot one week earlier due to Christmas!!

We hope you can join us on Sunday, December 18, 2011 for our Waiting for Santa Match indoors at our winter range, the Bullet Express in Springfield, Illinois.
We’re starting our Match at 9:00 a.m. sharp!

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December Stages are posted.

Registration is 8:00 am to 8:45 am
If you plan to bring a gun cart, please arrive around 8 a.m. as space is limited. If you can offer another shooter space on your cart, that would be helpful. There are “back bays” if you don’t bring a cart.
Mandatory Shooter’s Meeting starts at 8:45 am
Directions to Bullet Express Range just off I-55.
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$50 Reward Offered
Don Jorge lost his “screw-knife” in October, sometime between the cowboy match and the wild bunch match [4th and 5th weekends in October]. It has a light bone and metal handle and a Damascus-like blade. He’s offering a $50 reward for its safe return.

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Our Annual Suggestions & Hints for a happy and healthy indoor match:

Remember to bring your guns to the match.

Please leave your black powder at home. It’s a “no-no” on the indoor range.

It’s easier to reach your shotgun shells during a stage when they’re in your shot shell belt rather than on your gun cart.

The range is cold in two ways — A) We don’t load any firearms except at the loading table; and B) The air and floor are both chilly, so you might want gloves, warm foot ware and hand/toe warmers.

Have fun and do your best!

Match begins right after our Shooter’s Meeting. We must be finished at the range and cleaned up by 12 NOON!

Cost is $10 for Members, $12 for Non-members [You can become a Long Nine member at the match].

Gun cart is optional, as there are bays and shelves available. Please arrive early if you plan on setting up your gun cart or share your gun cart if possible.

We’ll shoot 4 stages, as we have in previous years:

Two stages with pistol and shotgun

Two stages with pistol and rifle [including a rifle bonus this time]

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Living Memorial for Postman

Lady Viper — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 01:35:43 +0000

From Turquoise Tony

Some of you might have heard that our cowboy club was planning to donate a tree to the family of Postman for a living memorial of him by the members & friends of the Long Nine Cowboys. There were a lot of ideas regarding what to do, where to put it and how to go about it.
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Postman aka Greg Cross
1949 – 2011
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After talking to the family and other members of our club this is what we plan to do:

Postman liked plants that produced food that you could eat. At his new home he had a large garden with fruit trees along with chickens, some goats and a cow. His favorite were cherries. So it was suggested that cherry trees would be appropriate for a living memorial to him.

We would like to purchase cherry trees for placement on his property, so his family will remember how much he meant to all of us and some for placement on Lefthanders Gun Club property so we can honor him there also.

Cherry trees bloom with beautiful flowers in the spring, produce a sweet fruit that can be eaten right off the tree, be made into pies or jam, and don’t leave a mess on the ground, as birds love to eat the fruit.

A lot of people who knew Postman asked about contributing money to complete the memorial. So we are going to graciously accept contributions from folks who want to participate in Postman’s Living Memorial Fund. I am going to put in the first $20.

Contributions will be accepted in any amount from anyone who wishes to contribute. You may give your contributions directly to me [Turquoise Tony], contribute via the Long Nine Cowboys website with credit card, or mail it to the club treasurer [Spud Davenport]:

Scott Sander, Treasurer
227 Foxx Manor Drive
Chatham IL 62629

If you mail your contribution, please specify that goes toward Postman’s Living Memorial. When enough funds are collected, the trees will be ordered. Upon arrival, they will be planted and a dedication ceremony will be held. If enough funds are collected, benches may be provided at the planting sites. Any excess funds will be donated to the SASS scholarship fund in Postman’s name. If there are any questions please call me, Turquoise Tony, at 217-626-1710.

November 2011 Match Results

Lady Viper — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:03:50 +0000

For our November Shoot-Out we had 23 holiday shooters, starting off the indoor season for the Long Nine Cowboys.
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We shot 4 stages and posted 4 clean shooters for the day.

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This month we send out a hearty “Atta Boy” to Turquoise Tony for hauling our metal targets, stands and blankets to the Bullet Express Range from our storage container at the outdoor facilities in Loami.
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November Detailed Scores are posted.

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Thanks to everyone who helped set up and tear down the stages before and after the match. With such excellent cooperation, the process was very efficient.

We hold matches during November-December-January-February indoors at the Bullet Express range in Springfield. No black powder is allowed at our indoor matches.
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Remember, we shoot on the 3rd Sunday in December [instead of the 4th], so please mark your calendar for Sunday, Dec. 18th.
We hope to see you at the range.
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Indoor Cowboy Match Sunday After Thanksgiving

Lady Viper — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:10:43 +0000

Give thanks that we can shoot indoors during the wintertime in Springfield.

We hope you can join us on Sunday, November 27, 2011 for our November Shootout, indoors at our winter range, the Bullet Express in Springfield, Illinois.
We’re starting our Match at 9:00 a.m. sharp!

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November Stages are posted
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Registration is 8:00 am to 8:45 am
Mandatory Shooter’s Meeting starts at 9:00 am

Directions to Bullet Express just off I-55.

Match begins right after our Shooter’s Meeting. We must be finished at the range and cleaned up by 12 NOON!

Cost is $10 for Members, $12 for Non-members [You can become a Long Nine member at the match].

Gun cart is optional, as there are bays and shelves available. Please arrive early if you plan on setting up your gun cart or share if possible.

We’ll shoot 4 stages:

Two stages with pistol and shotgun [including a pistol bonus]
Two stages with pistol and rifle [and a rifle reload on the clock]

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A Beloved Cowboy Rides Away

Lady Viper — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 23:30:34 +0000

Update – Nov 1, 2011

We mourn the loss of Postman, one of everyone’s favorite cowboys. He passed away in his home as a result of cancer on Oct. 28, 2011.

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>> To view Arrangements for Greg Cross “Postman” please scroll down below.
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Please contact us if you would like an address to send your condolences.

Postman [Greg Cross] was an enthusiastic shooter, long-time member of the Lefthander’s Gun Club and a founder of the Long Nine Cowboys in Springfield and the McLean County Peacemakers in Bloomington. He was known for his ready smile and generous nature. He will be sadly missed.

Those who knew Postman from his cowboy action shooting days and who wish to honor him at his visitation or memorial service in western attire are encouraged to do so.

See more photos of Postman and his cowboy friends by scrolling down below.

Arrangements – Gregory Leland Cross

ROCHESTER – Gregory Leland Cross, 62, of Rochester, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2011 at his home. He was born on February 11, 1949 in Springfield the son of Charles Robert Cross and Arlyee Mae Catron Fromm. He married Claudia B. Van Dyke on January 4, 1969 in Springfield.

He retired in 2004 after thirty-four years at the United States Postal Service as a lead mechanic. Greg served in the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam War, was a life member of Rochester V.F.W. Post 11463, Springfield American Legion Post # 32, member of the Single Action Shooting Society, Lefthanders Gun Club (Loami), and Grace Lutheran Church in Springfield.

He was preceded in death by a son, Christopher Michael Cross, a brother, Eric Eugene Cross and father. He is survived by his wife, Claudia; daughter, Anjanette Lord (Randall) of Rochester; grandson, Christopher Stephen Puckett of Rochester; his mother, Arlyce Mae Fromm of Rochester; and a sister, Kelly Beck (Rick) of Springfield.

Visitation will be on Saturday, November 5th from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester. The InterVeterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors at 11:00 a.m. with a Memorial Service following at the funeral home with Reverend Thomas B. Christell Jr. officiating. In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Rochester V.F.W. Post 11463, Rochester Fire & Rescue, or the Charity of Donor’s Choice.

Published in the State Journal-Register on Nov 1, 2011.
View Full Obituary with Guest Book

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Postman & Friends at the Long Nine Banquet 2006

Postman and Friends: Brisco Big'n, Postman, Henry Alexander, Citizen Kane & Turquoise Tony

Don Jorge, Black Jack McGinnis and Postman celebrating after the Charity Shoot in 2006

Postman and Lemon Drop Kid at the unloading table in October 2010. This was the last outdoor cowboy match at which Postman shot with us.

Postman making some noise with his '97 shotgun in 2002.

Postman blazing away with his revolver in 2006.

Postman and friends at the Sweetwater Saloon: JD Oak, Postman, Montana Di, Montana Ranger, Citizen Kane, Thunder Jack Johnson, Henry Alexander, Brisco Big'n and Black Jack McGinnis.

October 2011 Match Results

Lady Viper — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:42:39 +0000

We enjoyed a great day of whimsical stages for our October Cowboy Match shooting Buzzards & Snakes with an inspired group of 32 shooters, including 10 clean shooters and 15 who got the “chain link” bonus [although sadly, not the shooters who wrote the stages]. A special “Atta Boy” goes to Danjo, who logged his very first clean shoot outdoors.

We were delighted to welcome a new shooter to our group, Stogie Jack Daniels, along with several friends whom we hadn’t seen in quite awhile.

As a special treat, Long Nine Club Members each received a wooden nickel redeemable for a delicious free hot lunch at the October match, made for us by the Lefthanders Gun Club.

Our Wild Card “Short-Range” Side Match attracted a flock of enthusiastic participants. It involved shooting 6 playing cards with a pistol-caliber main match cowboy rifle at 12 yards for a $5 entry fee, or 5 cards for $3 for those who wanted to use a single-action revolver. Each “hit” card was put into a bucket for a cash prize drawing. Winners of the $10 prizes were: Montana Ranger, Lefty Dalton, Horrible Hal and Don Jorge with the balance of the proceeds going to the Long Nine Cowboys.

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October 2011 Detailed Scores are posted
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Many thanks to the hard-working group of Long Nine Cowboys and Lefthanders members who showed up Saturday morning to set up for Sunday’s match and help with Clean Up Day at the range, focusing on the cowboy club’s storage container:
- Cottonmouth Jim
- Spud Davenport
- Don Jorge
- Lemon Drop Kid
- Turquoise Tony, who built selves in the storage unit with assistance from three Lefthanders members.

The Long Nine Cowboys storage container is now a work of art. Many treasures were dug up that hadn’t been seen in years!

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Wild Bunch Only – Grab Your 1911 and Join Us!
On Sunday, October 30th, we’re hosting our 3rd Wild Bunch Only Match. See more info…
Please join us if you can. We invoke local rules that allow your regular pistol caliber lever-action rifle [e.g. you don't have to own a .40 caliber or larger rifle for our local Wild Bunch match, so shoot with your .38 / .357 rifle if you'd like]. For those of you unfamiliar with Wild Bunch who would like to join us, please read and understand the SASS Wild Bunch regulations for this event before the match.

This is a 4-stage match requiring up to 4 magazines per stage for the 1911. [You can borrow a mag if you're short one]. We will set up at 8:00 a.m. with everyone’s help, then start the Shooter’s Meeting at 9 a.m. and are done by noon. Stages are usually posted ahead of time. There is no lunch offered. For more information contact wildbunch@longninecowboys.org
Match Directors are Don Jorge and Turquoise Tony

If you have ideas or suggestions for outdoor stages or side matches, please contact us. If you’d like to write and submit a stage for an upcoming match, please contact our Match Director.