This years schuetzenfest at the NRA Whittington center is just a couple of weeks away. We will again have a cash award for the individual recruiting the most new (first time at the international) competitors.

Our group from San Diego have been very generous in putting on the zimmerschuetzen match and furnishing rifles, ammo, targets and prizes out of their own pockets. With the increasing number of folks participating, we need to provide them with some reimbursement. There will be a five dollar fee for this fun match which will be held following the last days scope offhand match while the offhand targets are scored and final tabulations are being made.

During recent years the executive committee has worked at avoiding raising entry fees. However with increases in costs of prizes, facility rental, medals etc. we are looking at having to make some change. This will be explained at the schuetzenfest and the membership will likely be asked to vote on whether to keep prizes and medals at the same levels and increase fees or to keep fees the same and either reduce prizes or reduce medals and perhaps just give a participant medal to each competitor.

On a positive note, we do have two new sponsers: McGowan barrel company is donating one of their fine rifle barrels for this years event and Numzzan Safaris is providing a five day African plains game hunt for four people. This is a significant donation from an established firm with excellent hunting areas and client services. (I have hunted with them before and am scheduled to do so again next year.) Details will be made available at the schuetzenfest and the hunt will be awarded via an auction.This would make a memorable adventure for a family or a group of friends.

Dave Purcell, ISSA president