"The Girls of Elk Creek"

    Blonds and money....guess who I caught with the cash register at the Ammo Station? I had arrived early to Elk Creek. I wanted to see how a well organized shoot is put together. We have all done parts of the job over the years in our local clubs....but this was Elk Creek. There were hundreds of shooters descending upon the area in less than 48 hours. This is no place for the uninitiated. This has to come together on a clock and work like Big Ben! In this case it was all about the "Girls"---->from registration to officiating most of the work was being done by women. As I walked threw the building women were calmly doing the job and getting it done! They even seemed to be doing it with pleasure, it was business but they worked as a team setting up the tables, carefully placing computers running cords to power sticks, organizing boxes filled with paperwork and sorting out tee shirts by size.

      The coffee pot was ready, Styrofoam cups stacked high along side of a tray of sweet rolls to keep the energy level up and the stomach from growling. Everyone readied their particular area and everyone had a job---> I was just under foot...you could read on their faces that they were wondering why I was there...in the way here..in the way there... and why I was taking pictures.."I thought he said he was a radio guy?" I moved threw the Registration area quickly. Trying to be friendly as I clicked photos. The air was beginning to get a bit thick with side glances and forced smiles...well there is a time for men to be around and a time for men NOT to be around...hey I got it, I'm out of here!

     But not all girls had paper and computers in their hands. As I left the cool confines of Registration I saw Bob......now Bob brought his helper---> BiBiann. He also brought enough carts for everyone...then some. He and BiBiann were busy setting up signs directing shooters to the Shooting Carts. As BiBiann------->pounded stakes into the ground, Bob using his managerial skills managed the construction with precision and experence. Nice job Bob..but will she ever come back??

     Then there are some who just RIDE in shooting carts...and do it well. As I drove threw the vendor area that Gary thoughtfully planned to be along a tree line. I came across the Briley trailer. Not only do these girls know the product but they shoot what they sell. I interviewed Amanda for the radio and left very impressed with not only her knowledge of the products but the confidence she had when discussing them. ThanX Amanda!

But it's not all working girls and pretty faces....many of the shooters brought their wives.

And some men brought wives that shoot! Remember girls...click on any pic and send it to your printer for a copy.

     Lastly there is a story about young girl that I must tell you...she lives near the Elk Creek Club with her family. She came as a volunteer and so did her father. They love the club and have volunteered many hours helping Gary prepare for the Shoot. She comes from hard working folks, local people, they believe that if you help your neighbor that help will come back to you one day when you least expect it----> It did!

     Her father told her that he would give her a $200.00 allowance for shooting during this event. As she stood at the Briely Trailer  dreaming about things to come she noticed a pair of pink shooting glasses...her old glasses were scratched and bent. They also matched her pink hat. But they were $150.00......she looked at her father, "sure you can buy them if you want....but that will leave you only $50.00 for shells, it's your choice.." She struggled with the decision, torn knowing she needed both glasses AND shells. A man we all know stood listening as her father made the final warning. She returned the glasses to the counter, smiled and turned to leave knowing that her old glasses would be good enough...and besides she realized the shells were more important.

      Jon Kruger had been standing nearby...he had heard the exchange between father and daughter. Perhaps it reminded him of a time in his life when similar decisions had to be made. Jon moved toward father and daughter before they were lost in the crowd, he stopped them from leaving....he offered to buy the glasses if she would promised to train and work hard to keep up her shooting. She agreed. She had never experienced such generosity....and this was JON KRUGER!

     When I spoke to her she asked not to use her name....but she did not object to a picture as she smiled knowing that perhaps the pink and white hat did not match the orange shirt...but it was the glasses that mattered! She will forever have a story to tell friends and strangers plus a promise to keep to a man she will never forget. There are gentleman and then there are men who are gentle...Jon is both and he has silently given back to this sport much much more than he has taken from it. Next time you see him, remember he is more than just the best shot this country has....he is one this countries most generous men. A man with a heart who knows the future of the sport is in the hands of young people...not in the politics. Thank him!

Next....the Elk Creek Story!