Year's End

As the end of the year drew to a close, SASH has seen a tremendous amount of growth. By the end of the year, we had 55 members compared to 43 members at the end of 2001. A total of 78 different shooters participated this year in 9 monthly matches and 2 points events, the Shooting Sports Fair and the Hunting and Fishing Expo. This was up from 58 participants last year.

When all the smoke, courtesy of Ron "Clell Miller", and Spencer "Singing Bear" Chun, and Wes "Roudball" Koga, cleared, Jeffrey "El Muerte de Dolor" Wang had the most match points and was crowned champion and ruler of all he surveys for a year with 279. Showing up to all events really helps to garnish points. He followed by Phil "Branded Buck" Rapoza with a measly 237. The top finisher the past two years running was side swiped with the addition of Cole Kamuela Rapoza, who is also the youngest SASS member. Third overall was Jan "Mountain Black" Schwarzenberg with 230. Pretty good finisher for a second year shooter. With an average monthly match participation over 30,5 shooters had total match points over 200.

The top Women's shooter was Sharleen "Ms. Fyre" Asato with 101, followed by Lydia "Fast Addie" Belshe with 96, and Chris "Ms Kitty" Kaufman with 53. We had a total of 10 in the Women's category.

The top Junior was Nick "Long Iron" Cosma with 66, followed by Sean "Cole Junger" with 9. We have three members in this category.

Christmas Party

The Christmas/Holiday Party was a resounding success, especially with the food being provided by Scotty's Barbecue. The general meeting was held and election of officers was made. This was followed quickly by the event that we all wait eagerly for all year - The Raffle. This year, additional thanks goes out to Ron "Clell Miller" and George "Zane Grey" who donated several prizes, and Fred "Genesio" Pilusa donated 5-$100 gift certificates to Scruples. The 1866 Yellow Boy Rifle went to "El Muerte," Len "Cathouse Carlson" won the Norinco 97 Shotgun, "Mountain Black" took the Hartford Bisley Pistol, Ken "Homebrew" Taylor went home with a Ruger Vaquero as did "Genesio." In addition to the firearms, gift certificates were given for Out of the West, Scruples, Security Equipment, Windward Gun Shop, and Young Guns. All in all, 34 prizes were passed out.

Elections

Elections were held for 2003 officers of the club. A big THANK YOU to outgoing officers: John "Blackjack Derringer" Brassell, past president; Karen "Kamuela Kowgirl" Rapoza, past vice president; and Jeff "El Muerte" Wang, past secretary. All your work and the work of the other officers was appreciated by the entire club. Our new officers for the coming year will be:

Phil "Branded Buck" Rapoza - President (and Range Officer)
Jeffrey "El Muerte" Wang - Vice President
Kevin "Half Kocked" Andreshak & Sharleen "Ms Fyre" Asato - Co-Secretary
George "Zane Grey" Zane - Treasurer
Michael "Wyatt Wee" - Armorer
Max "Painless Doc" Cooper - Safety
Ron "Clell Miller" - The Governor

Here's to another great year. If you have any stage designs or ideas, please send them to or contact "Branded Buck."

New Members & Guests

Craig "Tumbleweed" Goodell, Eric "Keystone Junger" and son "Cole Junger", and Jake "The Boothill Bandit" Jacobs joined the posse last month. "Lasso Lauren" Dueto and "Ropin Rich" Dueto were midnight additions to our roster at the Christmas party. They have all come out to matches towards the end of the year. Welcome!

Another little addition to the posse was created by Frank "Steelstroke" Hayden and his wife, Liz. Okay, Liz did most of the work. They (she) had a boy, Kai Mitchell Hayden who was 7 lbs 15 oz, and born on December 9, 2002.