I recently taught a class at the Illinois State Rifle Range in Kankakee, Illinois. Set in the “breadbasket of the nation” farmlands surrounding that small city, it’s a great range and getting greater, with substantial construction going on as I write this. More ranges, and also a spacious classroom are being built. However, there’s not yet a classroom on the range per se, so we rented the nearest hall for that part of the program. This year and last, that was the Lions Club in Bonfield, IL.
With a listed population of 364, there isn’t exactly a “downtown Bonfield.” They used to have a café there. The village restaurant is where the locals gather to talk about everything from crops to local politics to solving the problems of the world and hey, how are the grandkids? When the café closed its doors, the Lions stepped in to fill the gap.
They configured part of their meeting hall to a separate-able coffee shop, specifically a coffee-and-continental-breakfast shop. Menu prices look as if they came back from the past in a time machine. Think “donation,” not “bill.” I learned that the coffee shop is not run for profit. They just ask enough to cover expenses. The Lions Club is one of our great civic groups, and their purpose in opening their club for this purpose was to serve the community. To maintain a gathering place for the citizens.
For the four ten-hour days of a MAG-40 immersion course, the ladies of the Lions did noble service feeding the thirty-some students and seven staff that MAG and its host entity, MTG, brought in. They fed us splendidly, and we collectively groveled in gratitude.
I discovered that, at least in this chapter of the Lions, the ladies who fed us so well are not to be called Lionesses. Apparently, that element of the Lions Club is falling by the wayside and the women are, in most chapters, Lions like the men.
The Lions Club is one of our greatest civic groups, particularly important to the smaller and more rural communities. They embody all the best values of America. Our time there was sort of a Norman Rockwell moment.
Have I mentioned lately that I love this country?
Gee, that town of Bon field looks vaguely familiar. I had a good time there a couple of years ago.
Where I live there are several towns where the locals gather to discuss the price of corn and soy beans. The coffee cups clatter and the farmers in bib coveralls all know each other. My polling place is a Grange hall with the creaky floors.
Mas, I was sorry to hear about the 2 cops in Vegas that were killed. I know that you have a special connection to them. From what little I have heard it sounds like there are several lessons to be learned. I assume you will be covering it as soon as the details firm up.
Post Script: I took a look at that class picture. Some great looking women. Yes, I know, I am a chauvinist pig. I can see why Mas is all grins.
Bonfield reminds me of those quiet little towns on Twilight Zone that are somehow sealed off from the rest of the world. To be honest, with everything going on in this nation and worldwide I wouldn’t mind spending the day around the cracker barrel playing checkers and talking to neighbors.
Mas, it was great to hear some good news for a change. The sense of local community has been lost in our modern world. But when crises hit, and the power goes out, I want to be among good neighbors. For most crises I plan to stay home and not go out anywhere. The people of Bonfield will be strong because they will help each other.
I was at this course and as expected Mas did a fantastic job of presenting the material and preparing the students. Mas is all grins in this picture because of the fantastic performance of EVERYONE in the class. We need more women taking classes and need to be encouraged to do so.
Old Fezzywig said it well. Small towns with big hearts are what it is all about. I will never regret leaving the big city behind to move to a similar “backward and boring little town”. As the ultimate bonus, I have access to the best little range you could imagine within 6 miles of the house. Small has it all.
Towns like these dominate the American landscape. This is why that when you see a map of the U.S. with the counties carried by Republicans colored in red and those carried by Democrats colored in blue it’s almost impossible to find any blue. The liberal/progressives carry the big cities, the population of these cities dominate the state, leaving small town America ignored by most politicians, thus the connotation ” fly over country “.
I believe this adds to the frustration and anger growing in this country. Much of that anger is (I believe wrongfully) directed at police officers who are the most visible and accessible representatives of government. This is sad as they are more likely to be aligned with the average Joe citizen than any other.
Don’t fall prey to the rhetoric being spewed by haters who seem to look forward to anarchy. Believe me, that is not an option any sane person would want. These Las Vegas murderous scum are no different than the deranged, sick losers that have dominated the media too many times.
God bless these two officers and their families and friends. God bless levelheaded folks like Mas and the majority of those who follow his blog.
Many like to blame violent video games for the violence occurring in our country and to a certain extent I agree, but read the comments on this story link and tell me that continued exposure to these type of diatribes did not contribute to this scum targeting these innocent officers. You read enough of this and immerse yourself in this culture and see if it doesn’t affect your psyche.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jun/9/vegas-police-shooting-has-officers-fearing-a-rise-/?page=all#pagebreak
I know I will be attacked by some for this post, but realize this, while there are occasional valid abuses by police (and these are usually dealt with, with severe consequences for those officers), most internet postings are based on “journalists” posting interviews with the “victims” friends and family the day after with partial video of the incident, making the officers appear to be the “devil incarnate”, but you never hear a follow up when the true story comes out showing the officers to be blameless.
All doctors are not competent, all bankers are not honest, some fire fighters are arsonists, some officers are not worthy of the trust we put in them, but just because some disgrace their profession doesn’t justify condemning all.
I’ll get off my soap box here and let the attacks begin.
That’s a nice little Mas; thanks for sharing it.
Sounds like many of the small towns that dot America with folks that work hard to pay their fair share toward building a beautiful, peaceful country.
I counted five ladies in that class, wonderful to see more involved in our understanding of the gun.
What a wonderful community and I’ll bet an outstanding class.
@Dennis: I agree with your prior post almost word for word save and except for your analysis of the causes of small town frustration and anger, about which I express no opinion, not opposition. (Though considering my reputation around here and political bent I fear that my support for the rest may be worse for you than some of the attacks you’re expecting…) Back when I was involved in the anti-war movement in the late 60’s and early 70’s there was a lot of talk about revolution then, too, but the vast majority of us saw it as hyperbole or a symbol for changing the hearts and minds of our culture, not as a possible, practical, or military goal. But there were a few who saw it that way and a smaller group yet (e.g. the Weather Underground) who tried to act on it, but who were viewed as lunatics, not heroes, by most of us. I hope that most folks who talk about it on the right today are also of such a mind and will pay heed to what you say, Dennis.
I was catching up on some of Andrew Branca’s posts over at Legal Insurrection and was struck by this statement (in his piece on the Byron Smith home invasion case, “Ambush and execution is not ‘self-defense'”, http://legalinsurrection.com/2014/04/ambush-and-execution-is-not-self-defense/):
“The law of self-defense is not some ‘murder algorithm’ by which you can lawfully take another person’s life just because their conduct has checked off particular boxes. The use of deadly force is always, ALWAYS premised on necessity.” (Capitals as in original.)
How true, but as the Raul Rodriguez, Byron Smith, and — perhaps — Markus Kaarma cases would seem to show, there are more than just a few people out there who just don’t seem to get this point. As I’ve said previously, if all gun owners were required to take a class like Mas’ I’d be a great deal less interested in the issue of gun rights.
I feel like I have known you for a long time. I have many of your books and follow you on several web pages. The one thing I have noticed is that you never give any hand or arm exercises. Exercises that will develop the exact mussels required to enable one to hold the weapon better (grip) and shoot better (steadier and trigger finger control).
Are there any exercises you do to improve your shooting along with all the normal steps you advise us on?
Thank you.
Nice post, Mas.
I grew up in the city my wife and I have lived in a small town for the past 18 years. Bonfield sounds a lot like our town.
I love those really small quiet towns where the folks are nice and things are peaceful. Sounds you really enjoyed yourself even though you were teaching. Thanks for sharing your experience and teaching those folks in hard to reach areas. I bet they sure appreciated your expertise.
It kind of reminds me of of tiny towns I’ve gone deer hunting before like Tionesta Pa. and Leotart WV. it’s a slice of heaven that you couldn’t meet nicer folks and the only store is a cafe.
@ Dave (the liberal one):
I too, was around during the 60s, and 70s, and I searced tons of Hippie Vans crossing the Border, occupied by your type of thinkers, and I can you tell that the vast majority of them were far too stoned, on their choice of Marijuana, Hast, or other Drugs of their choice, to even have an opion, for more than a few minutes, which they certainly could never remember afterwards, so I’ll take your recollections with a very big grain of Salt.
For Dirk D.
I can’t speak for Mas, however I bought a couple of the hand excersize squeezers. Pro hands.net is one brand. I use a heavy rated one in my right hand and a medium rated one in my left. 10 minutes a day makes a real difference after a month or so. You can probably get them on Amazon. Also, as a test put a laser on the rail or better yet one of the lasers that fit in the chamber. Aim for something on the wall, pull the trigger (empty gun of course) does the laser spot stay steady or does it smear? If it smears then you need a tighter grip, or you have an improper trigger pull, or you have your finger placed improperly on the trigger. You also have to be honest with yourself. Does the firearm fit you? Sometimes the desire for a firearm or ego overshadows the ability to work it properly. Been there, done that.
@Paul Edwards: Thank you, sir, for the cheap shot! May I have another?
Sounds like a great class Mas, and a true heartland experience! Glad it went well!
It is good to see that Illinois has guns and the opportunity to carry them. Having grown up literally just down the road from Bonfield, I find it heart warming to know that the rural atmosphere still exists. I live in warmer rural mountains where guns are a way of life. I haven’t been back in 20 years.
Dirk, sorry I’m late, but Randy gave you good advice. I’m an advocate of the crush grip on a handgun.
@ Dave (the liberal one):
Your Welcome.
But it was not intended to be a “cheap shot”, merely an observation of of the type of Liberal’s I have encountered in the course of my duties as US Border Patrolman, Customs Inspector, and a Drug Smuggling Criminal Investigator.
I could go on for a long time, but don’t want you think that I am Against Liberals, rather than simply appalled, and disgusted with their attitude, out look, and life styles.
Paul
Is it just me or is Massad the only one in the picture resting his hand on his holstered weapon?
OMG, Phil, I think you’re right.