I had a really special treat this weekend. Most of you know of our loss of freind Chris Surtees last December. His youngest son Justin is now living here in Wisconsin with his mother Kelly.
A few weeks ago Grandpa Larry was up for a visit and brought Justin and Kelly over to my home for a nice afternoon visit. We also put the finishing touches on some Twister blades that afternoon.
Before they left that day I told them about the upcoming Wisconsin Traditional Archers state shoot scheduled for this weekend not far from their home. Plans were made to meet and take Justin out for a day of shooting.
Justin had a new MadDog longbow, but needed some arrows, so Larry had me pick up some materials at Denton Hill and I had a new dozen ready for Justin on Saturday morning.
Wayne Hoffman (Smiley) joined us for a round of 3D's, and Kelly walked along for encouragement. We had a fine time, and Justin shot really well.
It was an honor to be able to share the day J! Thanks for bringing him up Kelly. Sorry I didn't get any pictures with you in it - guess you'll have to shoot a bow next time!
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/WTAStateShoot2011.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/WTAStateShoot2011-6.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/WTAStateShoot2011-3.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/WTAStateShoot2011-10.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/WTAStateShoot2011-9.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/WTAStateShoot2011-7.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/WTAStateShoot2011-8.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/WTAStateShoot2011-4.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/WTAStateShoot2011-2.jpg)
Kelly called me after they got home to let me know that they had made a stop at Gander Mountain on the way home and picked up a 3D deer target. Justin will now be able to shoot in his garage at home to get ready for the next 3D shoot :thumbsup:
Good stuff Joe, I wish I could have been there. Its hard being in 2 places at once.
Someday I will be back to WI for good.
Good shooting Justin.
Way to go Whip! Justin looks like a fine young man and a pretty good shot too!
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
That's awesome!
Joe, This just proves again what I've always thought of you...one of the kindest men I've ever met :notworthy:
I had the very humbling expereince to look at a bunch of old photos, both hunting and military, of Chris with Larry at Solana earlier this year....Justin sure looks like his Dad when he was younger.
Just another reason to believe that Chris is still with us here everyday :campfire:
Good stuff! Thanks for sharing the pictures with us Joe! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Nice going, Whip!
Bisch
Good job Whip. The boy looks like he had a good time. Who held the shoot? Ojibwa?
Nice story Joe----I am glad you guys had a great day--
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
:archer:
Joe,
Thank you so much for bringing "a great day of joy" to Justin. As you know, Kelly kept me informed on Justin's progress as ya'll made your way through the course. This is one day that Justin will hold on to for years to come.
As Curt (Guru) mentioned in his post above, you are truly one the trad greats!
Thanks again and give Irene my best!
Larry
Great pics and story. Good on ya Whip for giving back to the sport. Justin is lucky to have a mentor and arrowsmith like you around.
Justin, your form looks awesome bud ! Just remember to bend at the waist on those elevated shots and don't drop your bow arm or you will shoot high like the rest of us do when we do not bend at the waist.
Smiley...... we are countin on ya bud this fall when you go for elk ! Make us proud !
:thumbsup:
That is very very COOL!!!!
You guys are AWESOME!!!!
Benjy
A day well spent!! :notworthy:
Doesn't get much better than a threesome of Joe, Justin, and Smily :thumbsup: Doc
:wavey:
Thats what it's all about. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :campfire: :archer2:
Good job Joe and Smiley
Good for all of you.
Love these types of posts! :clapper:
Ah Yes, Life as it Should Be!! :thumbsup: Good On Y'all!! :clapper: :clapper: God Bless Ya's!! :goldtooth:
Great stuff there !!! :clapper:
Bill
That looks like fun :)
:thumbsup: :campfire: :archer: :clapper:
Awesome Joe!!! Just plain awesome!
:clapper:
Good stuff Whip. Love the new bow Justin and looks like you shoot it very well.
What a day for you-all. Looks like great fun.
:thumbsup:
Good stuff Joe......as always.
:campfire:
Nothing that I did was anything really special. Just got a chance to spend some time shooting with a great kid. Lots of people here do that every week. If you haven't tried it, find a youngster that you think might enjoy it and give it a try. I can guarantee you will get as much out of it as they do!
There is one more traditional shoot later this month near Justin and Kelly's home. It is at Bigfoot Archers in Lake Geneva. Unfortunately, I'm going to be in WY at that time, so I'm hoping that Kelly will be able to bring Justin to that shoot and I'll try to find another Trad Ganger or two that can have a chance to get to shoot with him.
Joe, I've always thought you were a class act this just reinforces it. Great job!
Dunno how big ole Joe is, but I can attest that his heart is bigger than life!
:thumbsup:
A special thank you to Whip for inviting us to the shoot! It was a very special day to spend with my son, Whip and Smiley! I enjoyed watching Justin and the boys shoot so much I am going to start! So Whiip and Smiley watch out!
Joe once again you prove to be a generous and giving man. Justin keep it up man.
Thanks Joe.
OUTSTANDING both of you and Joe because I know you best and what a kind person you are.I vote for you for you da man this week brother again OUTSTANDING bd
:thumbsup:
Welcome Kelly!
Keep us posted on the progess you both make along the way.
Fantastic! Great to see!
Thank you Mr. Mecredy for the Mad Dog bow that you had built for Justin! It will be really put in use now with the arrows Whip had made and the quiver that Whip had given to Justin and the 3d deer target I bought at Gander Mountain. Looking for the 3d Frog target now, Justin couldn't wait to shoot that one! I will keep you all posted on our progres! Looking forward to the shoot in Lake Geneva!
I would also like to thank all the Tradgang members for everything that they have done for my son,(Justin) Christopher, Kelesy, Larry and Liz, your generosity and heart felt comments mean a lot to the family.
I want to say that justin did out shoot us on a couple of targets and he really like the frog target :o Kelly looking forward to shooting with you
Looks like a fun time had by all .... :thumbsup: :clapper:
:thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper:
and that was his first shoot smiley! Larry is picking up my bow this weekend!
You're Most welcome Kelly.
Nicely done Joe.
Christian thing to do. Thanks for your efforts to give a youngster a happy day
Justin and I are going to the Lake Geneva shoot with a few people that Joe is hooking us up with. We are excited to meet them as well!
( and thank you again Joe!) I shot Justin's bow at the 3d deer target i bought him at Gander Mountain after the shoot with Joe and Wayne the last two nights! Larry has pictures of those i sent him.... not to shabby for the first time ever shooting a bow an arrow and traditional at that! (got in the kill zone a few times!) My next door neighbors daughter who is about 8 or 9 has been watching this the last few nights and now is intersted in the traditional bow and she is now practicing to pull back the bow! I will be getting mine here i believe in November!
Good for you. See? it's fun, right?
Outstanding!
Joe - thanks for sharing with us.
The Gift that keeps on giving... Cool beans, Kelly, on getting the li'l gal next door into this too!
That's what we need!
Whip, and all the rest, thanks for taking Justin to the shoot! He's one "Special Boy", not to mention he's now my "adopted Grandson"!!!!!
Wish I lived closer to be able to shoot with him and watch his progress.
Kelly and Justin, ya'll take care. Justin, I do miss getting to visit with you!
"J's Adopted Grandpa"
JAG/Johnny
:bigsmyl: :thumbsup:
Incredible Buddy, I needed that !!
Justin was wondering how adopted grandpa johnny was doing. We were not able to go to the Lake Geneva shoot had a family emergency with Rick's mom but we can always go to the next one!
Sorry we weren't able to pull it off Kelly and Justin. Rafael(Greatbrownknockemdown) had brought his two nephews so it would have been quite the gang. Here are a few pics from the shoot at BigFoot Archers in Lake Geneva.
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/bhaukom/Chiippewa_314_01.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/bhaukom/Chiippewa_315_01.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/bhaukom/Chiippewa_316_01.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/bhaukom/Chiippewa_262_01.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/bhaukom/Chiippewa_258_01-1.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/bhaukom/Chiippewa_260_01.jpg)
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/bhaukom/Chiippewa_259_01.jpg)
You guys are awesome! Keep those kids shooting!
Dang,,, its good to see all the young ones enjoying the good life.
The old ones enjoyed it too Izzy. By the way if you look real close on the 2nd to the last pic you can see the red fletch of Rafael's arrow just ready to drop perfectly into the kill zone. Also the kids were really proud that all four of us had great shots on the last picture.