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First thanks to the Auroraland Archers and the Fox Valley Park District for the facilities and support they provided. Without support from folks like these our program would be dead in the water.

To those who missed the tournament this year, you missed a good one. Everyone had a good time, over 60 shooters turned out (a record number I think). 

On Saturday morning after the practice ends and prior to official scoring we had a ceremony to dedicate the tournament to Don Branson. Dons Family was on hand and were given commemorative Tee Shirts and a beautiful plaque made by Ed Kozumi a club member. Karen, Dons wife, was a little under the weather and could not attend, we wish her well. Dons daughters Char and Beth along with Chars husband Matt and Beth's son Jacob did attend. A proclamation was read dedicating all future Turkey Trots to Dons memory. In part it stated  prior to shooting the first scoring round, one JOAD kid would be called to the line when the DOS gives tweet, tweet  to shoot one arrow after the DOS gives tweet, this is followed by a moment of silence then the DOS gives tweet, tweet, tweet. Prior to the kid walking of the line everyone in the building pointed a finger toward him and shouted "One Arrow Does Not An Archer Make" Dons favorite quote. It was great and fitting. 

This was the first indoor tournament for everyone in this area and it showed, I noticed a lot of first end jitters at the beginning of each round. Everyone settled down to business after a few ends and some good scores were posted. This is a great indoor season breaker, low key enough to have fun, yet enough good competition to have to shoot well.

I was so pleased to see some faces I had not seen for some time like the Blazek brothers Ron and Joe. Ron was not one of those with first end jitters as can be seen in this picture. These guys are fixtures at tournaments in this area, and great archers. Mike and Sue Filipiak, Mike is quite a guy, he is President of Chicago Bow Hunters one of the oldest clubs in the country, an avid hunter, archer, and builds really neat bows like the one in the picture. Sue Filipiak , Mikes wife,  is an excellent archer in her own right, she’s one of those people lucky enough to have been taught to shoot by their father. I had a nice conversation with Sonny Glisson and former Auroraland Archers President  Dale Dobbins, they both stopped by to make donations and see how we were doing, thanks guys.  I apologize, I know I'm missing many people but thanks.

Watching Bill Berger helping his young grandson with his first tournament was neat. Bill introduced many kids to archery through the Fox Valley Park District archery classes. Many don’t know that Bill started JOAD in our area along with Don Branson many years ago.

We had a good time, and I speak for the club when I say we intend all of our tournaments to be like this one. Thanks everyone.

Ron

The Luckey Turkey Winners are: