I am writing this in late April and I am amazed, as everyone else is, at the shutdown of shooting across the country. I was at the ATA website and saw page after page of cancellations and postponements. I think there is no doubt that this will be a year where we will not shoot as much as we expected. If worst comes to worst, and we are forced to stay close to home, then please try to support the local clubs in your area. They are going to need your support more than ever.
The Southern Grand in Florida was able to take place in March and several Illinois shooters did well. Hannah Martin won Lady I Preliminary Doubles. Bill Jordan won Class C in the Class Singles. In the Christiansen Handicap, Hannah Martin won the event and Mike Dennis won the Veterans category. In the Handicap Championship, Mike Jordan won the Senior Veteran category.
Other notable accomplishments are Steve Brink is about to shoot 75,000 Singles and Denise Dressler is about ready to shoot 50,000 Handicap targets. Ian Lawrence placed second in the All-Around Junior category. Many other Illinois shooters made the lists of their respective categories. Good shooting everyone. You make us all proud.
I am now going to talk about something near and dear to my heart -- a new Illinois Hall of Fame. When the Illinois State Shoot moved to Brittany Shooting Park in 1999, a small room was built in the corner of the clubhouse. We have used that room ever since as the Hall of Fame. Because we have such a long and rich history in Illinois, we have outgrown the space. The Illinois Board of Directors has voted to raise money to build a bigger and better building next to the ISTA building at Brittany. You can go to the ISTA website to see a drawing of the building we are planning to build. With the economy shut down now, I know money is tight but please consider donating, in the future, when you can, to help us. Next month, I'll talk about the way you can donate money.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate