***************************************************************************************************************

A COWBOY CHRISTMAS CAROL  

Deputy Marley was dead as a doornail, that much is certain.  It was up to Sheriff Scrooge to roust the evil Mistletoe Gang, lead by that desperado Bob Cratchit and his henchman, Tiny Tim, and see justice done.  Why, even that city fellow (I think Dickens was his name?) wanted to write about Scrooge’s expoits in a dime novel!  When the smoke cleared, Cratchit was dead in the street, and the Widow Marley taught Tiny Tim a thing or two about the working end of a shotgun.  Well, all we can say is, eggnog all around and God bless us, everyone!

The Indian River Regulators would like to say howdy and welcome to our pistol packin’ friends from across the state-you folks came a far piece to try your hand at this gunfight-hope y’all come back soon!  Welcome back to Two Shot Tinly and Mustang Mike-good to see ya again! It was nice to see all the spectators-hope we have some future cowboys out there!

Many thanks to Quicksdraw Connie for the beautiful Christmas cake! Muchas gracias to the posse marshalls who kept things moving.  A big tip of the Stetson to Utah and El Concho for setting up, and to Lawdog and all the other elves who pitched in to help tear down.  Many hands do make light work.

COWBOYS OF THE YEAR

The Indian River Regulators are pleased to recognize TWO outstanding cowboys this year, for their unending support and dedication, Utah and Lawdog.  We all know it takes a lot of work “behind the scenes” to put on a good match and keep things in order, a lot of which is simply hard, sweaty, thankless work.  Without Utah and Lawdog, the action area at PMRPC would not be as nice as it is and the Regulators would not have the quality matches you have come to expect.  Thank you does not seem enough, and we hope they enjoy the small token of our esteem we were honored to present to them. The next time you see these fine cowboys on the range, shake their hand.  They do it all for you and for the sport we all love!

COWBOY CLASS & R/O CLASS

We have resumed the monthly cowboy classes on the first Saturday of the month. If you have never done action shooting cowboy style, and would like to give it a try, these are the folks to talk to.  If you need a little practice, or polishing of those very important shooting skills, this is a good time!  Please contact Utah at (321)951-1223 or Burt Blade at (321)242-8163.

The next Level I course at Port Malabar will be announced.  If you have a hankerin’ to take it, call Turkey Creek Red at (321)728-7928.

FROM THE PONY EXPRESS

Safety is always first and foremost.  Please remember Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club is a private range, and we have a lot of people shooting in areas you can’t always see.  Please do not handle your guns unnecessarily at your vehicle when transferring them to gun carts.  Be mindful of your muzzle direction.  Resist the urge to show off that new fancy rig until you are inside the action area in a designated safe area.  Observe the 10mph speed limit.  Please park in the open lot across from the registration area and NOT along the bullseye line.  Additional parking is available in the pistol practice area just south of Bay 1.  Parking inside the action area is limited to handicapped vehicles without trailers and Indian River Regulator Cowboy Council members.  Your support and consideration in these areas will make us better neighbors with our other shooting disciplines.

You know, it takes a lot of work for a fun, safe shooting day.  Everyone has something they can contribute.  Don’t let your posse marshal be the only one running the timer all day.  They are out here to have fun, too.  If you don’t know how to run a timer, we’d be happy to show you how they work.  The loading and unloading tables need attendance, times and scores need to be recorded, there is always brass to pick up, and there needs to be at least three spotters for each shooter.  Pitch in! It’s the cowboy way!

Visit us at our NEW website at http://www.indianriverregulators.com.  You’ll find scores, directions to the club, the monthly newsletter and exciting pictures to entertain you between matches.  Web Master Burt Blade has been instrumental in ramroding this enterprise and we hope it has made things a little more convenient for you.

Remember, at the Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club, all juniors shoot free of charge.  This is an excellent way to get more young people involved in our wonderful sport.  If you know someone who might be interested in cowboy action shooting, please encourage them to attend the cowboy class and come join the fun!

Need cowboy stuff? Bullets, clothes, hats, reloading equipment?  John’s Precision Bullets and Byrds Western Wear have the solution to your problem!  By supporting them and other cowboy vendors, you support cowboy action shooting locally.

Take a tip from Night Train Kate: life’s too short to shoot ugly guns!  With the holidays coming up fast you might want to check out Pistol Grips by John Ledgerwood in Daytona Beach. You can get him at (386)254-8889 or jrlgrips@aol.com. We ran into this really nice gent at the Melbourne gun show, and he does some wonderful custom grip work with fancy inlays, swanky engraving, and exotic woods and such.  The perfect gift for the cowboy of your dreams, or a super way to dress up your own rig! 

Next time you’re out on the Malabar range you might want to check out Rawhide’s guncart.  He and his beautiful bride do custom woodwork and such, and if you’re looking for that one of a kind cart, you might want to chat with him a bit.

Got comments? Suggestions? Criticisms? Got an idea for a stage?  WE WANT YOUR INPUT!  This is YOUR shoot and we feel this truly is an interactive sport!  You can write us, call us at (321)242-8163, or e-mail us at Ccoll28198@aol.com – even if you want to remain a “Ghost Writer”.  We members of the press know how to protect our sources.  And now you can visit us on the web at http://www.indianriverregulators.com.

GOD BLESS AMERICA  &  HAPPY TRAILS

Next Shoot:                   January 24, 2004 – Good Grief! It’s a New Year!

                                    February 28, 2004 – Queen of Hearts

                                    March 27, 2004 – More March Madness

        Registration opens at 9:00am, mandatory shooter’s meeting at 9:30am, shooting starts at 10:00am.  Cost is $10.00 per person.  All first time shooters with the Indian River Regulators must check in with safety officers prior to the shooter’s meeting (please register early so you can join your posse on time).

                   Visit our NEW website at http://www.indianriverregulators.com

Ghost Writers of the Purple Sage

P O Box 100861

Palm Bay   FL   32910