Eastern Pa. Spring Picnic (Hazle Township - Community Park)

[normanvin]

Good time today. Didn't get to talk with everyone who was there. We should do something again soon.

[PennsyPlinker]

Okay, my picture processing is done, and I am ready to talk, as it were. I arrived a little after 10:00 AM in the company of Mikey and CommonHighRise, who rode up in the phone with me. We discovered a decent sized crowd in the parking lot already as we pulled in. I was lucky to have made it, as I had no opportunity to eat, and I do not live with Mikey, whose wife prepared two - not one - but two egg, bacon and cheese sandwiches for him on English muffins. Mrs. Plinker, even if she was home, probably would not have done the same. But I digress...

There was a large crowd of armed people milling around in the parking lot looking for a leader. As we exited the phone, a uniformed officer pulled up in an unmarked Dodge pickup truck, gave us all a very sour look, and then pulled out again with nary a word spoken. Before too long, PA Patriot showed up and directed us to the pavilion which we had rented. People started moving large stores of food and drink items towards that pavilion.

This is just about the first thing you see coming into a park where they used to say no guns allowed. Ironic, isn't it?



There were a number of other people in the park. I encountered an elderly couple who asked us what was going on with all the guns, and could they join us. "Of course!" was the response. I then started teasing the wife, asking her if she had brought her gun with her. "No", she said, "but he has his!", and proceeded to yank her husband's jacket up for us to see. I reassured her that no gun was needed to attend, and that we were happy for their company. They spent a couple of hours with us, and while she had to leave for a church function, he was able to stay for most of the day. Their son also arrived later on sporting his own pistol on his belt. In addition to them, we had several other local people join us for the festivities, of which there were many. Mikey and I also talked to a fisherman who was all excited about the "gun show" going on in the park. We informed him that it was not a gun show, but just a picnic. Still, he expressed solidarity with our cause, as he carries on a regular basis.

As has been mentioned, we raised over $2000 for the Red Cross. It remains to be seen if those liberal dirt balls at the paper will dare to publish that fact. In the course of that endeavor, Wild Bill Klinton presented Mrs. PA Patriot with a small token of our appreciation for her effort in the walk.



Left to right, part of SIGGirl, Sierra, Wild Bill Klinton, Mrs. Normanvin, Mrs. PA Patriot.



Mrs. PA Patriot reacts to her award.

While there was no gunplay, which was apparently a fear on the part of the pantywaists from the local school, there was some dueling going on. Mrs. Curmudgeon aimed her camera at me just as I aimed mine at her. Curmudgeon may be sleeping on the couch for a few days after this one!



We had a very good crowd turn out for the event. This picture I took early in the day was just the beginning. Some folks had not arrived yet. I know DCDalton and Tootie weren't there yet. DC was in a twofer fog. One, it was really foggy out, and two, he still didn't have the directions down, so they took the scenic route.



Lots of people were carrying, mostly open. In honor of the 12 million new citizens of our country, I was carrying "Mexican". I was also chomping on a stogie, anticipating our new friendly relations with Cuba.



And when I say lots of people were packing, I mean LOTS! I am a sucker for a pretty face, aren't I? I gave up my Mexican carry for this little lady, the daughter of SIGGirl and 1911Shooter. Her name is Sierra.



Not all was fun and games though. There were a few tense moments. Consider this one, where DCDalton discovered that Tootie was on her third helping of beans.



Left to right, DCDalton, Mrs. PA Patriot, Fingers80002, top of reverserboy's head.

I was co-opted into being the auctioneer for Frenchy's pens, probably because I was the loudest mouth there today. Frenchy, we got some pretty good prices I thought, and your pens helped push us over the $2000 mark. There was so much good food there that one would have burst had he tried to eat it all, and I know some were trying! I had some of DC's chili, some very good pierogies courtesy of akapjr, and of course some good cookin' off the grill. I ate lots more, but hey, it takes a lot of work to maintain a figure like mine.

The last official event of the day was observing the birthday of Mrs. PA Patriot. She is several anniversaries into her 29th birthday, but I will not say how many. Suffice to say, it is not PA Patriot on the cover of the card she received.



There is lots more to tell, but others can tell it. I may recall some other events later on, but this is the gist of it. It was a wonderful time, and I look forward already to when we can do the next one. If you were not able to make it, be sure to plan for when the next one comes up, so you can meet some of the wonderful people who inhabit this place here, and who carry guns as a part of their daily life. I think it is important to note that no one was shot, or even grazed during the entire event. Perhaps the newspaper will report that fact. Someone in the media came by, made two passes past in the safety of their Suburban, but declined to stop and talk with us. I wonder why. We only has platoon strength of armed people there. Surely they weren't afraid.

[wa3ra]

I'm very sorry I didn't get there, even though I had to pass about twenty miles away. The Utah course this morning was great, but I had to borrow mom's car to get there, and had to haul back to get the Rover from the shop so we have something to drive.

The hit-and-run tore the driver's side wheel right off of the backing plate, didn't crunch too much sheet metal, but tore all of the recently replaced trim panels off of the car.

My body/mechanical man has the van now, he says that it can be driven if we replace everything from the axle tube out until the adjuster sees it, the we should replace the entire axle...

I hate when this shit happens...

[Howard Bullock]

Originally Posted by Wild Bill Klinton

Just so any reporters reading this? No reporters came to OUR EVENT. So anything written about us would be "second hand at best".

Not having any reporters show up is itself was quite a dissappointment, but unfortunately expected. They seem to be be able to stir the pot but not actually do their job and report factually on the event.

Originally Posted by Wild Bill Klinton

I hope they report about the PAFOA being the #1Donor

I would also like to see that reported. Not that we should ask, but if the Red Cross provided such information, I wonder if that would also get the same slant that previous articles contained.

[Wild Bill Klinton]

You forgot the opening Pennsy...The Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for our "brave men and women fighting for our freedom here and around the world,on Armed Forces Day", and a Moment of silence for our Forefathers..."in their infinite wisdom made today possible".

[1911shooter]

we had a fantastic time, this was awesome. really we need to do this more often, Just a warning though dont ever go to Weiss Markets with 338winmag,
Seriously Matt next time tell me which super markets you got thrown out of. but hey we made it alright, and the deli counter guy may have to change his pants.
Pennsy you did a hell of a job, witht the pens, Mrs Pa. You are an amazing woman, you did a great job at the walk and then you had to put up with the rest of us, now i know why rich is such a happy guy.

I meet some great people today and cant wait to do it again, Fingers you are a better man then i for riding 2 hours with mr. beans. Sicario Dude just do it you know what i mean, XD40 Jim you have one of the cutest daughter, I'll tell you what this is one of the greastest groups of people i have ever had the pleasure of being around and will deffinitly do it again.
Oh and by the way Pennsys bean are the best i ever had, but SIG -GIRL did like the aftermath so much.

Wild Bill Klinton your monaker fits you are a dead ringer for him sorry you are.

I think the water nazi was just mad cause we had nicer firearms then him.

[Mrs. Pa Patriot]

I will post more later, I'm starting to get a little tired. lol I just wanted to say that I did the whole 5 miles for those who were paying per mile. Started at 11:30 and was talking w/ people back at the picnic shortly after 12. It was an awesome day, thanks for everything everyone!

[thelemite]

I really had a great time. Met old friends and new. I look forward to the next time we can get together, raise money for a good cause and eat squirrels.

[DiveGerry]

My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting the people that go with the names on the board. This was our first encounter with the group in person, and although we were a little nervous, we found that everyone was most inviting. We are proud to have met and now know such fine people. We also look forward to the next time. Thank you again for your warmth and kindness.

[Mrs. Pa Patriot]

Originally Posted by DiveGerry

My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting the people that go with the names on the board. This was our first encounter with the group in person, and although we were a little nervous, we found that everyone was most inviting. We are proud to have met and now know such fine people. We also look forward to the next time. Thank you again for your warmth and kindness.

Does this mean that you are not afraid of me anymore? LOL I'm sorry, but I am still chuckling over that.