Hi everyone. I have all sorts of recognition to give to Illinois shooters, so I want to get to it.
Duane Parker has shot 25,000 Singles targets and Mark Johnson has shot 25,000 Doubles targets. Way to go guys!
I want to give a special shout out to Mike Dennis for joining the 250,000 combined targets club. Mike is a great, dedicated shooter that this milestone illustrates big time. He is also a good man. Congratulations, Mike, I am so proud of you!
Justin Dewitt, Braxton Dent, Wyatt Williams, and Brady Cox are now AA-27-AA shooters. It just shows how much great, young talent we have in Illinois. I am in awe guys!
Michael Hathway, Lawrence Gillum, Mike Dennis, Leland Hassler, Dave Dressler, and Tom Fester are Mega Target members for the previous shooting season. I know I am a broken record, but we have great shooters in Illinois. I'll say again, any of you that would like to adopt me and take me shooting, just give me a call.
Dave Dressler and Jim Lyons have been elected to the ISTA Hall of Fame. Both gentlemen are very deserving of this honor, and I couldn't be happier for them.
Sadly, we have lost two Northen Zone shooters. Russell Weeks and Matt Woods have both passed recently. Both men shot in the Northen Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area. Both were loved by the many friends they had in this area. Our sport can ill afford to lose people like this. Rest in peace Russell and Matt. We already miss you terribly.
We are breaking ground on the new Hall of Fame building this spring. The Board of Directors have decided we need a HOF logo to go with the new building. It will be used on a sign, stationery, etc. They think we should have a contest to create this logo and open it up to our most creative people, the youth shooters of Illinois. Entries will run to June 1st. A committee of Directors will judge them and the top three (3) will receive a life membership in the ISTA. On Friday of the State Shoot, when we have the annual meeting, the membership will vote on the top three (3) and the winner will shoot the Championship targets over the weekend for free. Check the ISTA website for the rules of the contest. If you contact them, the Directors will also have copies of the rules available for any youth shooter who wants one. Good luck to everyone entering the contest! I am looking forward to seeing what our kids come up with.
When you are reading this, shooting will be starting up across the southern part of our country. Good luck to everyone down there. I'll be rooting for you. Support your local clubs.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate