VGCA NEWS April ‘98

 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND CHANGE IN THE PICNIC DATE

Please note the following meeting dates: April 23 at 8 PM at NRA Hdqt.

May 28 at 8 PM at NRA Hdqt.

June 13 Picnic at NORVA Property

The June 13 date was changed. The original June 6 date conflicted with the NRA meeting in Philadelphia and the local North South Skirmish shoot. So come rain or shine on Sat June 13. Bring guns and ammo and a covered dish, bread, salads etc. Ed Johnson will prepare the BBQ as usual. VGCA will fund the food and sodas etc. Bring rain gear and bug spray as well as eye and ear protection. Warn your guests and children that snakes are always a potential problem. Advise them to stay in the graveled areas and on the roads where visibility is better than in the woods or high grass. Come early. We usually eat around 1 PM. The Board will be making an announcement regarding the club’s purchase of ammo for the picnic. We may have to cut back on this since our income is down

 UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Mo Phillips will be presenting at the April meeting his collection of Harpers Ferry arms. Bring yours and enjoy the meeting. In May, I will be presenting a program on Trapdoor Springfields. So bring yours along and join the fun. Bring ammo and ammo boxes and other related items. If you would like to put on a presentation in June or the later months, please call either Mo or myself and let us know.

 THE NEXT BOARD OR EXCOM MEETING

We will be having our next Board meeting at 6:30 PM before the April 23rd membership meeting. There is a conference room off the NRA Auditorium. So if you have issues you wish to bring before the Board, here is your chance to discuss them.

 ADVERTISING ON THE INTERNET

If you have business cards that you would like to have put on our web page, send them to Larry Hunt or me and we will put them out there. Collectors, if you are looking for particular items or if you have things to sell, write them up on a card and get them to either of us. It is free and who knows, you might get lucky. Be cautions about providing your telephone number if it’s your home number. E mail addresses are best.

 THE SHOW

We had a great one this time. The attendance was off slightly from last spring. We had 1805 people this time. We made expenses and no one got shot so that would seem to fit the definition of a good show. The dealers seemed happy. I had a great time and know of no serious complaints. The membership provided OK door coverage and a big thank you to all of you who donated your time. I think we need to improve on tying of arms....by my guess 40% of the firearms on the tables were not tied. With all the ammo that is around, this is a prescription for potential disaster. Keep in mind that we have no firm commitment for Hugo’s hall past the September 12/13 l998 show. So keep your eyes open for potential spots for a show location. The fact that Hugo’s have gun shows there all the time no doubt hurts us and our reputation. Many people do not know the difference between a VGCA show and a flea market with a few tables of guns. It is sad to see. I am including a chart that Ed Costello made regarding attendance over the years. You can see what the "dilution" factor had done.

 THE DISPLAY WINNERS THIS SHOW

The displays were really great this time. 2nd Judges Choice Award went to Bill Thacker for his display of Model 1903 Service Rifles; 1st Judges Choice Award went to Gene Burkholder for his display of some fine Model 99 Savage Rifles; The Third Place Award went to Roger Sherman for his display of Japanese pistols; The Second Place Award went to Vince Rausch for his display of The Little Winchester; The First Place Award went to Scott Benedict for his unbelievable display of German pistols (Nazi Tools of Terror). Many thanks to all those who made the effort to display. They were great.

 DCM MI RIFLES AVAILABLE

I learned that those who would like to qualify can obtain MI Rifles. Even if you have one, you can apply and obtain another one each year. Call 1-888-267-0796 and listen to the menu. You can obtain an information and application pack just by asking. Speaking of MI Rifles, I spoke to Scott Duff at the Baltimore show. He has expanded his interest and now collects Springfields from 1795 on. He provided his card so give him a call. He said to tell everyone Hi.

Hope you can make the meeting on the 23rd.