Showing posts with label good news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label good news. Show all posts

Thursday, April 21, 2011

North Scott High targetshooting club

It’s loud, competitive and puts shotguns in the hands of high school students. But after years of planning, North Scott High School students now have their own trapshooting club.
In Iowa we have a few schools with sense enough to have a school sponsored gun clubs as a competitive sport. North Scott and Davenport West are a couple. That brings to 40 such clubs in Iowa.
Austin Coobs, a 17-year-old North Scott senior, said the more students who participate, the better.

“It would clear up questions about safety issues,” Coobs said. “I think one of the reasons people are against gun ownership is because they don’t understand it. Shooting is one of the safest sports because people make it safe.”
Congrats to North Scott.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Kingsley, Iowa is growing

I don't know the man or his business, so I cannot say it's the place to go, but it's got to be good news when a guy loses his job and opens a small business with a little help from the state.

A gun shop.
Bob Farmer opened a gun business, The Shooting Shop, in September at his residence. Because of a degenerative eye disease, Farmer lost his previous job and contacted the Iowa Department for the Blind, who guided him through steps of entrepreneurship.
The Shooting Shop

There were many businesses in the article from small one person shops to a fertilizer coop that have been doing well despite the down economy.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Smooth transitions

While I've been linking to mostly negative stories regarding the new carry law, Ben over at ColdHardCashner finds a positive article of a sheriff who understands his citizens and serves his county with common sense.

Muscatine Journal: "Gun law transition smooth"

Monday, January 3, 2011

Not all Iowans are hoplophobes, II

A 4H gun safety club has been formed in Iowa City (Iowa's most leftist city) called the Sharp Shooters.

Sharp Shooters club to teach guns, bows

Maybe there's hope yet for our youth.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Tri State Gun Club permit classes

With the permit law changing on January 1st, there is an increased interest in taking certified classes. Tri State Gun Club Near Fort Madison, is offering 7 classes until the end of the year.
The courses not only teach the safe handling of a handgun and live firing, but give information about legal issues about carrying a concealed weapon, familiarization with several types of handguns, ammunition, carrying techniques and accessories to effectively do so.

Participants will be given instruction in threat perception, engaging a threat and live fire drills.

The classes’ last eight hours include about four hours of classroom work and four hours of practical exercises and live firing.

Hunold said a trend is the interest women are showing in the courses.

He said in the first five years he was an instructor he didn’t have any women take courses. In the last two years, interest has risen and he always has at least one woman in class and usually two or three.

Elaine Eschman, who was firing at the gun club on Thursday, said women who have children should consider taking a firearms course because more than likely their children will come across a gun at some point. She said the course will help mothers teach their children to appreciate guns and to be safe around them.

State gun permit law change increases local gun class sizes
It's good to see more women involved in self defensive weapon training and the club is scheduled to have an all women instruction class on October 17.
The courses are offered by MD Training Associates and are taught by NRA and Iowa Law Enforcement Academy certified instructors.

Participants will be required to complete a liability waiver prior to taking any course. Pre-registration and a deposit is required. Deposits are refundable in the event of a course cancellation or upon a minimum two-week notice by registrant.

Contact instructors Mark Vogel at 524-1428 or [Dave] Hunold at 524-4936 for more information.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

McAdam family benefit

A benefit for the family of murdered Iowa County resident, Jeffery McAdam, is scheduled for October 9th in Victor, IA. The location is yet to be determined.

A dinner is planned with a silent auction followed by a live auction at the end of the evening. A raffle will also be held.

For more information please go to: McAdam Family Benefit website

Jeffrey McAdam posts

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Declaration of Independence copy found in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa state senator has located a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence.

Sen. Dennis Black of Lynnville says he located the copy while researching a central Iowa family's Civil War roots.

The document was printed in 1843 from a copperplate that is now on display in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Black calls the print "an absolute treasure" that is owned by the citizens of Iowa. He says it will receive the special treatment it deserves and be put on public display for special occasions.

The document, printed on rice-paper, has been matted and encased in an inert environment.

Cultural affairs director Cyndi Peterson says the document will be on display during this year's Independence Day celebrations at the Iowa Historical Building in Des Moines.

Iowa state senator locates rare Declaration of Independence copy
Let's hope the state legislature, governor and judges take a good look at it and heed its words.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

A voice in the dark

A volunteer lends her voice to record her narration of books for those in need.
Sue Ketelsen spends hours reading aloud to herself in a quiet corner of her basement - sometimes until her voice gets hoarse.

Sitting behind a microphone, the 60-year-old Davenport woman clicks on a blue table lamp, turns on a digital recording system and picks up the latest book on her reading list: "Beekeeping for Dummies."

But she's not a beekeeper. She doesn't aspire to become one, either.

Instead, Ketelsen is recording herself reading the book, from cover to cover, for someone she doesn't know: A blind person who requested it through the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Des Moines.

[Beth] Hirst, with the Library for the Blind, said patrons sometimes request Ketelsen as their narrator because of her "nice, pleasant, fluent voice," she said.

"She's also very good at interpreting what she's reading," Hirst added. "It just draws you into the story."

A voice in the dark
Thank you Sue.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

A simple thank you to those who've served


A Moline, Il. couple who owns a small hotdog stand wanted to give back to veterans last Thursday and Friday, by giving out hotdogs to veterans. But it didn't turn out as they had planned.
The two-day experience was more than Gary and Stephanie Wicall could have imagined.

The Moline couple wanted to say thank you to area veterans by offering them a free hot dog Thursday and Friday at their hot dog stand in the parking lot of K&K Hardware, 1818 Grant St., Bettendorf.

With May being National Military Appreciation Month, and Memorial Day on Monday, it made sense, they thought. Plus, their stand is called Joe’s Heavenly Dogs, named after Stephanie’s father, the late Joe Lykam, a Vietnam veteran. Gary’s father, Gary Wicall Sr., also is a Vietnam veteran.

“It was very emotional,” Gary said. “Not either one of us had that type of emotional high before. We are on top of this world. It was just something simple, but from our hearts.”

During the two days, they gave away about 150 hot dogs to veterans. They estimate that at least 300 additional veterans came, but insisted on paying.

“A lot of those guys refused it,” he said. “They said what we were doing, it meant a lot to them and they refused a free lunch.”

Vets overwhelm Moline couple
Their facebook page:Joe's Heavenly Dogs

They operate at these locations:
Hours of Operation:
Tues. - Fri. 10:30am to 2:00pm
K & K Hardware Bettendorf, IA

Evenings & Saturdays Little League games; Youth activities @ Stephen's Park Starting in May thru Aug.
Moline, IL
I don't know when I'll be back through the QC area for sure, but if anyone is close, maybe stop by and give them some business.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

The American Legion post give honors at funerals

In Le Mars, Iowa its American Legion post is like most others in small-town America. An aging membership that struggles to exist. One member of that post is Gerald Pallesen who plays Taps:
Gerald A. Pallesen, an 81-year member of American Legion Wasmer Post 241 in Le Mars, sounded "Taps" for the first time in 1943.

Pallesen, of Marcus, started playing trumpet in the marching band in the seventh grade.

He perfected those skills in the military. Pallesen is a World War II veteran.

Now he travels where he's needed and plays "Taps" at military funerals.

In Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska he's played at 122 and traveled more than 14,000 miles, Pallesen said.

"I consider it a distinct privilege to participate in honoring our true heroes, all those who have served honorably in our Armed Forces," Pallesen said.

He's also one of more than 5,000 bugler volunteers with Bugles Across America, formed in 2000. The group has buglers in all 50 states and a growing number overseas.

The organization's intent is to have enough volunteer buglers to provide a live rendition of "Taps" at all veteran's military funerals, according to Bugles Across America.
Read about more members of this Legion Post at Local Legion preserves honor of military funerals

The Legion honored my father at his funeral and I remember those words: "In honor of our fallen comrade...". My son played Taps for his grandfather later, in private, with me at his side. It was his final gift that we shared, as the youngest son and youngest grandson, it was my privilege to have been a part of that.

American Legion

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Guns and schools (again)

The High School & Scholastic Clay Target Program (part of the Iowa Games) have events scheduled for this Saturday
This new event will be hosted on May 15 at six gun clubs across the state including the Palo Alto Gun Club at Sportsman’s Park, north of Cylinder, as well as at the Clinton Gun Club, DeWitt; the Stockdale Gun Club, Ackley; Tri-State Gun Club, Montrose; and Brownells Big Springs Shooting Complex, Searsboro.

The High School & School & Scholastic Clay Target Program is part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources shooting sports. The program is a team-based clay target shooting program that is changing the lives of grade, middle, and high school students nation-wide and in Iowa.
The Emmetsburg High School Trap Shooting Team was formed the first week of May and competed last Saturday finishing third out of twelve teams.

Read more of their success at Scholastic Clays To Be Shot At Sportsmans Park This Saturday

It looks like more schools across the state are forming shooting teams. Unfortunately our high school was not one of them. Hmmm.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Guns and schools can mix part II

A couple of high school boys decide to start a Pheasants Forever chapter at a local school and where's the outrage?
Two Kingsley-Pierson high schoolers put their heads together and started a Pheasants Forever youth chapter.

Senior Dustin Slota and junior Matt Steffen signed a charter last week establishing a youth chapter of Pheasants Forever, which joins 105 adult chapters in Iowa.

The high school chapter is only the second of its kind in the nation -- the first was established last year by an Oskaloosa [Iowa] student.

Teens' Pheasants Forever youth chapter second in nation
As I posted Guns and schools can mix, some schools understand the importance of firearms in society and are not joining the hoplophobes. They are actually encouraging firearms through conservation and competition.

Sounds like they are off to a good start with the right focus:
"One of the bigger things is teaching them gun safety and how to be around guns," Matt said.

Dustin said gun safety is the No. 1 key kids need to learn when handling firearms.

"We feel very strongly about gun safety," he said.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Congressman Boswell honored

Congressman Leonard Boswell, Democrat from the 3rd district of Iowa (my congressman) was inducted into the Fort Leavenworth Hall of Fame. I did not know that Boswell earned the Distinguished Flying Cross in Vietnam.

I don't think much of him as a congressman, but well done, sir.

Fort Leavenworth adding congressman, World War II hero to its Hall of Fame

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Guns and schools can mix

On Saturday nearly 400 high school students competed for a state title in the high school state trap shoot.
The Cedar Falls Gun Club hosted the 25th annual high school state trap shoot on a very windy afternoon, as students representing 34 schools came out and gave it their best shot Saturday.

Maquoketa High School walked away with the team title, scoring 224 kills.

State trapshoot continues to flourish
High school kids with guns and no one was hurt or killed? Who would have thought?

Congratulations to Maquoketa and to the boys and girls champions on their titles in this co-ed competition.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Congratulations, Karl

Frequent visitor Karl, The Rifleman's Journal is now nationally ranked in the Civilian Marksmanship Program rifle competitions CMP Rankings From his postings, he practices often and puts me to shame.

Congratulations and well done, sir.

Learn more about the Civilian Marksmanship Program

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The proper response to pirates?

An equal or greater force repels an approaching force, or at least that's what I learned in physics class a long time ago.

Kurt has more:
Maersk Alabama attacked again--pirates sent running

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Duck hunters rescued

Four duck hunters rescued Monday in a dramatic rescue sure to become a legendary film - not quite. We find:
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office received a call about 5:15 p.m. from a man asking for help for friends whose boat had overturned.
I don't want to criticize the county and city fire departments and rescue personnel that do a hell of a job. But sometimes they can't be on the scene right away. They just can't be everywhere all the time.
Another call came from Stephen Schultz, another duck hunter on the water, who said he had located the hunters who had fallen in the water and that they were safe in his boat.
The obvious point I want to make is that private citizens are our true First Responders. A fellow hunter rescued these four men before anyone else. I'm sure everyone involved was thankful that the lake had one extra hunter that day.

Looks like everyone responded as they should: a nearby citizen rendered assistance, first responders and fire departments arrived next for aid and prep for the county ambulance crew who transported two of the hunters to a nearby hospital. This could have ended badly.

Kudos to all.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Open carry rally in Wisconsin 10/17/09

Our Wisconsin neighbor is one of only two states that do not allow concealed carry permits. but citizens can openly carry. Iowa only allows open carry while on your own property or business. Residents of Hudson, Wisconsin, a community across the river from St. Paul, Minnesota, held a rally in support of their right to bear arms. Tea Party With Guns Held in Hudson
Hundreds of armed people filled a Hudson park Saturday afternoon as part of an anti-tax and pro-second amendment rally.

"It's our right to carry guns and I think everyone needs to know," said a gun rally supporter.

Openly carrying a firearm is legal in Wisconsin, in fact the only legal way to have a firearm there is to openly display it, but it is rare to see so many people doing so at once.

Not everyone near the tea party was keen on the idea of so many people carrying guns. "I thought not in my backyard. I didn't like the idea and i [sic] still don't like the idea," said Greg Leaf, a gun rally opposer.
Despite Mr Leaf's misguided opinion, hundreds of armed people rallied together and no one was shot, no one "sprayed" the area with bullets. Something's wrong here. Isn't that what the Brady's tell us happens when a bunch of "bitter clingers" get together in one place.

And no one was shot? Hmmm.

Robb Allen posts his opinion of open carry Open carry is fine, so long as you don't do it where people can see you (The title does not fit his true opinion) and a followup posting Who needs the Bradys on how sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Good comments there on how Virginia changed their state.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Iowa Appleseed update

From the Socialist Republic of Johnson county we have a member of the Writer's Group (certainly not known for conservative values) breaking down stereotypes by attending an Appleseed event. Do something patriotic: Own, know how to use a rifle
People fear what they don't understand, especially dangerous things for which the benefits outweigh the dangers. We need widespread ownership of firearms, just like we need fire, or financial investments -- or democracy for that matter -- they are necessary to better our lives, but they all require some experience and skill to wield safely.

Not having grown up using firearms, I too have been uncomfortable with them, even though my husband is a longtime gun enthusiast and I understand their importance.

I had only fired a rifle a few times before I attended Appleseed, but I soon found myself improving.

I was far from a master marksman by the end of the one day I could attend, but I did learn rifle safety and the basics of shooting accurately from standing, seated and prone positions.
Kudos to Ms Cody for attending and coming away with a positive experience.

Appleseed Info

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Iowa Gun Owners gun show update

Iowa Gun Owners had the opportunity to run a booth at a gun show in Des Moines during the weekend of Sept 25, 26, and 27. Iowa Gun Owners has Successful Gun Show in Des Moines
Iowa - -(AmmoLand.com)-Our goal was to spread the message of Iowa Gun Owners to like minded 2nd Amendment supporters in Iowa as well as obtain petitions to the Iowa State Senate urging the Senate to vote on the REAL Right-to-Carry bill.

(After receiving a tie vote in the House last session of 49-49, our next goal is to obtain a vote in the State Senate so we can inform you, our members, where your State Senator stands on the 2nd Amendment.)
I didn't get a chance to be there last weekend.
The overwhelming message we took away from Des Moines is that the people of Iowa are sick and tired of a permit system that requires law abiding citizens to beg permission from the government to be able to defend their families.

The excitement at the No Compromise philosophy of IGO’s REAL Right-to-Carry bill was contagious. We had doctors, line workers, pastors, laborers, farmers, and even some law enforcement officers (yes, in full uniform) sign our petition and join our organization.
I would've liked to talk with Aaron.