Tom Barker accompanied his son, Kevin Barker, to Nimes for the World Indoor Championships and brought back a number of fascinating thoughts and images. For an early sneak peek, here's a couple of great photos and his comments:

"Here is a glimpse of what the finals venue looked like. That is Mary Zorn shooting on the jumbotron during the team round. Notice the relative size of the targets (lower left of photo) compared to the TV screen. Also notice the picture in a picture of the targets. First class. "
(Ed. note: Tom pointed out that the right-handed archer shoots just to the left of this enormous screen. Can you imagine facing your own picture in such enormity, while you try to focus on your target just a few feet to the left of the screen. )

Tom writes of this picture: "Here is one of Reo Wilde on the podium of the men's compound. Notice the flag under his arm. The night before the finals Marcia and I had dinner with Reo, Steve Jervis and John Burkett. Reo was the only one still playing going into the semifinals. We got around to the subject of the next days shooting and Reo told the most incredible story. He said he made a world team a few years back and his grandfather sold some property so that he and Reo's grandmother could come and see him shoot in Europe. (Reo's father Dee has won a world championship himself.)

Anyway, Reo's grandfather got sick just before the trip, didn't make the trip and ended up passing away while Reo was away. Reo said that when I go up on that podium tomorrow it will be with my grandfather's veterans flag that was presented to my grandmother at his funeral. He can't be here but his flag is. Reo said he was going to drap it over his shoulders. With tears in my eyes because on my bookcase at home is the verterans flag of my father, I suggested that he might want to keep it folded in the triangle and tucked under his arm. I said every veteran that sees you or pictures of you will know that the flag you are carrying is one of a veteran. It was very emotional for all that watched. The director sure picked up on the flag and really focussed the cameras on it."

Tom is sharing a number of photos with the newsletter, and the next issue will devote more to the write-up he and Marcia are creating now to go with them. This will be added to the writeups of other Archival Archery adventurers, found at this link on the Archival Archery website.

You can check the information on the tournament, due to be held on April 25^th through 27^th, at the A A&M Link
There is a registration form off of this link.
The deadline is April 11th for registration to this event. It is a good idea to book your hotel as soon as possible since they usually fill up.

Rick Stonebraker has a couple of questions that need you to consider.

Last year's State Field Championship shoot was on an exotic animal ranch, and the Blaschkes are allowing the use of their neat ranch again this year. In fact, The Blaschkes are offering to cook up some yellowstone elk venison BBQ as the lunchtime meal during the tourney!!! Now last year everyone ate high on the hog with great BBQ from Mikeska's BBQ, and so this year we want to find out how many people would rather have ELK instead, and how many want to have Mikeska's again.

SO: Instead of the catered B-B-Q from Mikeska’s like last year, would you rather have an ELK VENISON B-B-Q instead?
PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK TO SEND AN E-MAIL VOTE TO RICK ( Tell him yes or no for the ELK B-B-Q)
The cost is likely to be around $6 per person for an awesome Elk B-B-Q roasted right on the site by Nolan Blaschke.

WHERE’S THE BEEF? If you do not favor the flavor of venison, you will still be able to venture down to Austin’s BBQ in Eagle Lake.

The second question concerns interest in having a 4th of July weekend qualifier-type 70/50 meter shoot

Anyone interested in shooting a 70-meter qual round for adults and 50-meter qualifier round for kids?
If enough interest, this could be turned into a STAR event and world records could be set in age groups.

July 5-6.
Blaschke's ranch near Columbus.

Possible BBQ on the fourth. Lots of fireworks in the area. Camp, shoot, eat, watch, take photos of the animals.

Format:
Saturday morning. 36 arrows at 70-meters for adults and 50-meters for kids.
Saturday afternoon. Elimination round at above distances

Sunday morning. repeat Saturday.

This is for people who have never shot an Olympic style qualification round.
With the format, you do not have to attend both days. You can shoot Saturday or Sunday or both.
No trophies, you shoot for the fun, the experience, and to improve on your own Personal Bests.

If you are interested, please send a reply to Rick Stonebraker.

FOR A MAP SHOWING WHEREABOUTS THE BLASCHKE EXOTIC RANCH IS, CLICK HERE.
THANKS.