C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

First Place

Thanksgiving SASS Shoot

November 2006

Notes from the President!

The day's shoot was discussed and it was determined everyone seemed to have a good time and had plenty to eat!  Since this was our 3rd Annual event, there was a lot of discussion about making this our premier shoot for the year and everyone agreed!

  Next we discussed the Christmas Shoot and PARTY!  The shoot will be on the second Saturday, 9 December, at our regular time.  We will have a 3-stage shoot and all shooters are invited to this free shoot.  Immediately after the shoot we will go to the Graysville Methodist Church for our annual Christmas party.  Everyone is reminded to bring a covered dish and a $15 unwrapped gift for our gift swap.  Door prizes were discussed.  A few people had contacted businesses and enterprises, but not many had been collected to this point.  Everyone needs to see if they can help with Door Prizes.  If you plan on attending the shoot and the party, please bring a change of footwear.  No muddy boots will be allowed, so please be prepared to either change shoes or go in your stocking feet.  We will also be taking up $$Donation$$ for the use of the hall, which will be given to the church.

 We received no nominations for new officers in 2007.  Having no nominations for new officer, old officers will continue in their current roles, but the President will contact each of the officers not present to make sure they are willing to fill their roles.  So, unless you hear otherwise, the officers for 2007 will be; President - Cherokee Maddog; Vice-President - Cruel Hand Luke; Executive Officer - Josey Buckhorn; Secretary - Angie Oakley; Treasurer – Sundance; Range Marshal - Doc Harleyday; Territorial Governor and Webslinger- Double Barrel; Newsletter – Ms. Dixie Ree.

 There was a discussion about making the club a LLC, or Incorporating, both for fund-raising potential, but to better protect the officers of the club.  A separate meeting will be set up to discuss the pros and cons of each and present to the club for their input.

 Your President,

Cherokee Maddog

 Notes from your Secretary!

It sure was wonderful seeing everyone again at the Thanksgiving shoot, and the atmosphere of the whole day was just perfect.  Between stuffing chickens in coffins and watching Oracle ride that wild bronc, we were able to hear wonderful music in the background.  What a wonderful way to end the day with all our friends and family together at the giant plank table enjoying our now famous Marauder mealtime.  Food, fun and fellowship, that's what makes what we have as a club so special and I'm honored to be listed among you. 

 I've been trying to think of the best suited way to write the compliments for the meal.  In fact, I've been thinking on that all morning.  I can't seem to come up with any words as spectacular as the food was.  "It was great, it was good," that just doesn't cut it.  I think the best way to describe the Thanksgiving FEAST that we enjoyed Saturday would be to say, "If Miss Dixie opened a restaurant, there'd be a line stretched all the way to Texas of people waiting to be seated."   Then I got to thinking, Texas isn't far enough. 

 * * * *

 A BIG, GIANT, STUPENDIOUS THANKY PARDS! goes out to Southwind for the wonderful live Bluegrass performance and Coffee Joe for the awesome coffee and tea selections and for the music during the shoot.  (ps. Angie says a special thanks for the green tea);  Josey Buckhorn and Doc Harleyday for building the amazing Marauder-sized tables upon which we feasted and the rest of the Pards who made the event possible; and of course, Miss Dixie and assistants for the amazing Thanksgiving feast!

 Onto new business.  I will be in charge of the food list again this year for the Christmas Party.  Call me, fax me, write me ASAP and let me know what you will bring.  I can't tell you how much to bring until I know how many to expect.  Please call in as soon as humanly possible.  My contact information, including phone and email are listed on the cover page of the newsletter.  423-332-0689 is my home, 423-443-9358 my cell, and you can email me at angieoakley@bellsouth.net.  If you leave a message, speak slowly and clearly as my machine isn't great.  Leave your name and your alias cause that's how I know you! :-)

 As officers are rolling around for 2007, I'm pleased and honored to continue being your TMM Secretary for 2007. 

 Giving thanks for all the blessings of 2006, best wishes for the approaching 2007!

 Your Secretary,

Angie Oakley

Old News:

1. Membership Fee Revision – There was a discussion and then a motion to pro-rate our membership fees.  When memberships are paid on July 1 a 50% discount will go into effect with $2.00 off per month after that with a minimum membership fee of $10.00.  The motion was passed.
2. Juniors and Buckaroos – It was voted upon and passed that Junior shooters would shoot for $5.00 and Buckaroos would shoot for free, but must be accompanied by a paying parent.
3. Black Powder Night Shoot – There was a lot of enthusiasm about a black powder night shoot of either one or two stages lighted by kerosene lamps and campfires. 
4. Cops Versus Cowboys Fundraiser Shoot – Lot of discussion about how we can set up a fundraiser shoot between law enforcement and the cowboys.  Oracle and Cherokee Maddog said they would put their heads together and see what they could come up with.
5. Hot Weather Shoots -There was a discussion about shortening the hot weather shoots (June, July, and August) to four stages.  It was decided we would write and set up for no more than five stages, but if the weather forecast calls for temperatures above 90 degrees, the shoot will be shortened to three or four stages, depending upon the heat index.
6. TMM Officers - Short discussion about protecting the club and officers by either incorporating the club or at least an LLC.  It was decided we would investigate what it would take to make this happen.  Cherokee Maddog and Oracle will investigate and report back at next meeting.     

100 AND 200 YARD SHOOTS !

Mystery Dog Ranch will be sponsoring the 200 yard Buffalo Shoot again with a Trophy Buckle awarded to the winner; and this year we have added another buckle for the 100 yard shoot!  Ladies!!!!.  The buckles will be awarded next June 2007, so get in line and try your luck – or expertise - at these skilled events!  Ohio Kid will have to wait till next year (2007-2008) to get in on the competition again since he was this year’s winner!

Sorry Kid!   

Cherokee Maddog SASS Life 48430

Volume 9 – Dateline 18 November

 Well, as I climbed down from the saddle early Saturday morning at Mystery Dog Ranch, several of them Tennessee Mountain Marauders was already up and about.  The air was cold and you could see your breath as the sun started up in the East, but the sky was that pale blue color that tells you its going to be a great day.  A warm campfire was a blazin’ and as cow folk from other spreads started showin up, a new pot of coffee was put on.

 They rode in from all over fer the event.  There was a bunch from them Ocoee Rangers from out Cleveland way, and some from the Smokey Mountain Shootists, up Knoxville way.  We had some riders come in from Georgia , Alabama , Kentucky and North Carolina .  Cowboys and cowgirls know a good thing when they hear about it and never pass up an opportunity to posse up, cowboy up, and then sit down to vittles.

 Things started off peaceful enough with a lot of socializin’ as the sun got a little higher in the sky.  Then we was all gathered up fer a prayer and the statein’ of the pledge.  We then talked about not shootin’ each other, or ourselves, while we was a possed up with each other and then they divided us up to head off to different parts of the ranch and the town of Homestead .  The story gets a little complicated from here.

 We learned that a renegade chicken rustlers from Knoxville , led by that ner-do-well Tombstone , was a eyeballin’ our chickens.  Knowin’ that Tombstone bunch will do just about anything to get their hands on chickens made us decide we needed to hide ours and the only thing we had to hide them in was an empty casket.  Well we was just a goin’ to hide the chickens, when guess who shows up and us with chicken in hand.  It is a little hazy after that.  We was grabbin’ chickens and stickin’ ‘em in the casket, then a shootin’ and grabbin’ chickens and stickin’ ‘em the casket and shootin’.  This went on until that entire bunch was gone and all of our chickens were safe.  I will have to say some of them cowboys made them chickens feel safer than others.

 Next we had to do some ridin’ fer the Pony Express.  Wouldn’t you know it, but we was selected to ride a two week railroad payroll into the town of Homestead .  Just as we rode into town, Owlhoot Hardin and his gang decided they wanted the loot and it was up to us to save the day.  We rode our horses from place to place, dismounting, shootin’, grabbin’ new mounts and riding on.  We were pretty pleased with ourselves when we got them saddlebags all the way to the other side of town.

 Then they took us on a turkey huntin’ with their trusty Indian scout Makes Wind While Walking, also known as Oracle.  We came across the biggest turkey anyone had ever seen, but just as we was drawin’ a bead on the critter, Nubby Sawyer and his bunch showed up and said he seen it first.  Well some words was exchanged and the next thing you know, lead was a flyin’ everywhere.  When the smoke cleared, Nubby was gone, we was out of ammunition and that big ol’ turkey was still there.  We grabbed up ol’ Makes Wind’s bow and arrows and let fly to make sure we had turkey for dinner.

 Finally, we headed on out to the edge of town where we was to have our big Thanksgivin’ dinner.  We had already started the cookin’ fire when a bunch of reservation jumpin’ injuns showed up lookin’ to spoil our fun.  Some of them were a tryin’ to use the fire and smoke for cover, but we gave them some lead appetizers and they decided they weren’t near as hungry as they thought they was.  Once we run them off, got the fire goin’ again, and had a little time to socialize before it was time to sit down to eat.

 And eat we did.  Turkey , pork, mashed taters, gravy, greens, pies, beans, eggs, pickles, and every other type of dish you could ask for.  Cowboys and cowgirls was a leavin’ the servin’ table with plates overflowin’.  Then it got right quiet and a bluegrass band kicked in while we was a eatin’.  Then there was some moanin’ and groanin’ as belts was loosened up and corsets unstrung.  Miss Dixie Ree and Shawnee Lee certainly outdid themselves with the vittles.  A couple of cowboys got in trouble where they mentioned it was better than what they got a home.

 It was a spectacular day, we had plenty of old friends ride in from all over, and the food was absolutely superb.  I want to thank the Tennessee Mountain Marauders that worked so hard to make everyone feel welcome and the Mystery Dog Ranch for allowin’ us to have so many riders over at one time fer a little get together.  Finally, I want to send a special thanks to Miss Dixie Ree for all the excellent food and Shawnee Lee for all his help to the Tennessee Mountain Marauders to have another successful Thanksgiving shoot. 

 My name is already on the list for next year!

NEXT SHOOT – The Tennessee Mountain Marauders invite you to join them every THIRD SATURDAY – EXCEPT DECEMBER, at the Mystery Dog Ranch for fun, fellowship, and a daisy of a cowboy shoot!  The next shoot will be DECEMBER 9, 2006 with registration, buffalo shoot and coffee from 8:00 to 9:00 and the safety meeting following.  If you need directions to the shoot and ranch check out the MDR website - www.mysterydogranch.com

See ya there!