Volunteerism key to annual Tall Pine Council clay shoot

By Lisa Paine
Posted Thursday, August 14, 2008

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By Lisa Paine
VIEW Sports Editor

METAMORA — A picture- perfect day of blue skies, mid-70s temperatures and a steady breeze greeted the Tall Pine Council Boy Scout troop volunteers and shooters at the 12th annual sporting clays shoot fundraiser at Hunter’s Creek Club last Friday.

Although the turnout was down slightly from last year — blame the economy for that — the shooters, sponsors and especially the scouts were thrilled to be outside as they partnered to raise funds for the Tall Pine Council.

Steve Nettles, 12, of Burton enjoyed the fresh air and the overall sportsman’s aspect of the event.
“I’m a big sportsman, so I like to be outside. I’m a fisherman and a hunter, so my dad said this was just for adults today, but I’d sure like to be shooting.”

“This is my second year volunteering, and it’s lots of fun,” said Garth Magiera of Flushing. “I’d rather be shooting, but we’re here as volunteers today.”

After hearing that I shot the tournament as a novice two years ago, Nettles exclaimed with excitement, “You shot this? Cool, isn’t it!” He shoots bow and arrow and guns and is just champing at the bit for his turn in a few years. He and Kent Crawley of Flushing were partnered high above one of the swamps, and his important job was to pull the clays for the shooters; a task he took on with great pride and honor.

“It’s pretty cool. I’m really here just for volunteering and for service, but it’s neat to hang out with the adults,” Crawley added, as he kept track of the shooters and their score cards. He even reminded a few not to leave their guns behind as they ribbed one another about errant shots that missed the clays.

Scout troops from three counties volunteer their time each year to run the clay stations and keep score for the shooters, many teamed up from the various companies and organizations that annually come out to support the Tall Pine Council.

“We cover Lapeer, Genesee and Shiawassee counties, so we did a blast out to all our troops this year, so whoever wanted to come out and volunteer today as pullers, scorekeepers or parkers, we accept all of them. They like coming out and hanging out with the shooters,” said TPC treasurer Marilyn Costigan. “Anyone who wants to come out as youth each year is welcome. John Grzecki of Troop 340 organizes all our scouts and puts them out on the station,” she explained.

“We make sure they get lunch and we order them pizza at the end. They do a flag ceremony and taps at dinner, and we give them some nice goodie bags to go home with. Attendance is down a little this year, but with the economy, that’s expected. Everyone that came out or helped, sponsored. We’re always so grateful for that support. It’s important that we keep reminding everyone what scouting is all about the kids.”

Costigan said that the yearly special events — the sporting clays tournament, golf tournaments, Distinguished Citizen Dinner, the Boy Scout Bistro Dinner — make up about 24 percent of the TPC’s entire budget.

Many of the shooters — men and women — who shoot each year came from scouting themselves, and they jump at the opportunity to help. Host Charlie Mann and his staff looks forward to the event each year and makes it an event everyone will remember. After the shoot is the wild game dinner and auctions, which include wildlife prints, hunts, equipment and even the very popular gun raffle for those whose guns let them down during the shoot. Awards also are handed out to the high scoring shooters.