Howdy Cowfolks:
  We couldn't have ordered a better weather day for November than the one that occurred. Sunny with a high of 61 degrees, and 49 shooters appeared to enjoy the beautiful day. 21 categories were represented, and 63 % of the shooters achieved their bonus shot at 66 yards. Three never seen before scenarios at Thunder Valley were presented and offered a slightly higher degree of difficulty. They were not convoluted and mind boggling, but required a bit more concentration to avoid the dreaded "P". There was plenty of movement between the shooting position, and offered an additional challenge to complete the stage successfully. Everyone seemed to enjoy the mix of sequences at the various stages, and had fun during the process. Lots of "Yee-Haws" were voiced throughout the day. The Thunder Valley vote on SASS Agenda Items was completed with the following results:
1. Should we adopt the Circle of Safety concept …. ? NO
2. Should we allow Bisley Style Hammers … ? Yes
3. Should we allow adjustable sighted revolvers …..? Yes
4. Should we eliminate the minor safety penalty for …? NO
5. Should we create a new category Frontier Cartridge Gunfighter … ? Yes

Note: All items failed to pass at TG Summit

  Congratulations to: Cumberland Drifter, Lizzy of the Valley, Cole Coffee, Flintlock Fields, and Graver on their "Clean" Match for November. Mountain Drover was "Clean" at December Match.
  Happy November Birthdays to: Copper Quincy, Flintlock Fields, Grizly Gaucho, Irish Dan O'Shootem, and Smokin Guns Gus.
  Happy December Birthdays to: Axel Dumire, Batjac Shootist, Geronimo, Judge Mint Day, and Ranger Horn.

  Since the weather was wonderful, we finalized the Annual Category competition and presented those awards to avoid the greater likelihood of in climate weather in December. Results were:

Top Cowboy Overall - Cumberland Drifter
1st runner up Top Cowboy - Mountain Drover
Top Cowgirl Overall - Ginger Star
1st runner up Top Cowgirl - Cannonball McKay
Rookie of the Year - Dusty Walker
Top 49er - Cumberland Drifter
Top B-Western - Too Slow
Top Buckerette - Sonny Creek
Top Buckeroo - Swift Buffalo
Top Classic Cowboy - Flintlock Fields
Top Cowboy - Dusty Walker
Top Cowgirl - Ginger Star
Top Duelist - Batjac Shootist
Top Elder Statesman - Chief Old Timer
Top Frontier Cartridge Duelist - Graver
Top Frontier Cartridge - Lorenzo Lain
Top Gunfighter - Hardscrabble
Top Lady Wrangler - Calico Kim
Top Senior - Redneck Rebel
Top Senior Duelist - Irish Straight
Top Silver Senior - Drew First
Top Frontiersman - Cannonball McKay
Top Wrangler - Buffalo Bud Harden

The weather for our December match was not quite as cooperative. We started with a sunny sky at 21 degrees, and peaked the temperature at 38 degrees at the end of the day. Only 13 brave souls, or maybe 13 bone heads showed up to enjoy a chilly day of Cowboy fun. We still had a great time with many YEE-Haws, and wonderful fellowship for the day.

Well folks, we have concluded the six year of operations here at Thunder Valley. It has been another awesome year. The support of registered members, and the support of shooters with regular attendance has continued through the hard economic times, high fuel costs, and the never ending increased costs for reloading supplies. A huge "Thanks" to all of you that have joined Thunder Valley this year as members, and also to the many non-members that shoot with us for many of the matches during the year. Without your continued support and participation, it would be very difficult to maintain and operate this shooting facility. A special "Thanks" to the individuals that serve as Timer Operators and Posse Marshals, and assist in the overall supervision of the matches. Again, it could not happen without your help. I changed up the format of our scenarios at several matches this year, and added a slightly higher degree of difficulty in target engagement, and continued to provide lots of movement between shooting positions. Many folks commented that they enjoyed to diversity from the extremely fast stages, so; we'll continue to mix it up the sequences in 2010. If anyone has any suggestions for changes and/or improvements for next year, please forward them to me, and we will attempt to make it happen. If anyone is interested in taking a RO#1 or RO#2 course, let me know so we can form a tentative list of names and determine if there are enough folks interested to plan for a training class. The RO#1 will also include a detailed instruction of Timer Operation in order to get more folks trained in timer operation and Posse supervision.

Hoping that all of you will have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
See Ya' in March of 2010.

Top Twelve for 2010
1. Cumberland Drifter
2. Mountain Drover
3. Redneck Rebel
4. Indy Kid
5. Dusty Walker
6. Drew First
7. Don't Know Diddly
8. Buffalo Bud Harden
9. Blackjack
10. Hardscrabble
11. Too Slow
12. Abu