1/10/08

Manning UMC Turkey Shoot hits the target for success
By Jerriod Grizzle

JERRIOD GRIZZLE/Manning Times

Pat Roberson stands with his son, Carter, after the MUMC’s Turkey Shoot, Dec. 27. Pat was the overall winner of the 16-and-older division while Carter was the overall winner of the 16-and-younger division.

With a shooting distance of 25 yards, any gauge shot gun could be used. The shells were provided in advance and the closet shot to the target wins.

Those were the simple rules Dec. 27 at the vacant lot near Pocataligo Swamp and the Burger Chick as Manning United Methodist Church hosted its first Turkey Shoot.

At $10 per shot, skilled hunters and novices alike came out in full support for the MUMC youth group.

The money raised will go toward a youth designated fund that sponsors youth outreach and to assist other youth groups in activities or any special needs.

“You try to give the youth a good foundation of community service,” said David Lee, an instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in North Charleston. “The community has something to do and can come out and support the youth,” he said.

Some said shooting was all luck, while some actually had a plan for winning the event.

“We shoot a lot and hunt together,” said Nathan and Billy Downer.

JERRIOD GRIZZLE/Manning Times

Jeffery Black takes aim at his target during the Manning United Methodist Turkey Shoot Dec. 27. Black was the winner of Round Seven of the 16-and-older division.

The two attributed good shooting to holding the gun steady and keeping their aim.

The fact that shooting was partially luck was proven when Jeffery Black, owner of Black Sheep Promotions, won round seven in the 16-and-older division.

The shoot consisted of an under-16 age division and a 16-and-older age division.

Youth Minister David Green said he was ecstatic about holding the event.

“It’s important for the youth to come out and have a fundraiser for themselves to raise their own money,” he said. “It gives them more control of their money and what they want to do with it.”

Green, who has been the youth minister for MUMC since September, said that he had gotten several sponsors including Mid-Eastern Graphix, Gedding’s Hardware, Radio Shack, the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce, Black Sheep Promotions, East Coast Energy, IGA and Reliable Pawn Shop along with several other businesses that chose to remain anonymous.

After ten rounds, Pat Roberson emerged as the clear-cut winner of the 16-and-older division while his son, Carter Roberson won the 16-and-younger rounds.

Pat Roberson won a shotgun with the National Wild Turkey Association Federation insignia stamped on it. Carter Roberson won an iPod, something he said that he wanted for Christmas.