Our next show is February 1st & 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Exposition Gardens, Peoria, IL.  Call Bill Fritz if you want a table, or to cancel for this show.  Bill's phone number is (309) 274-2977 or write him at P.O. Box 527 Chillicothe, IL 61523.

Bloomington Gun Show
Mark your calendars for our second Bloomington Gun Show on March 1st and 2nd at the Interstate Center. Contact Bill Fritz for tables.

Stop at the membership table at this show, or mail in your request for your 2003 membership and/or range pass.  The membership fee is $10.00 and a range pass is an additional $15.00.  Please make the check payable to the Midwest Gun Collectors Association.  Mail application and checks to Ed King, P.O. Box 1242 Bloomington, IL 61701.  If you know someone who may want to join, please contact Ed for applications.  We also require that members who skip a year's membership will have to pay for the previous year when renewing their membership.

Range Info
Mike Barnett has scheduled the 2003 dates for the .22 rimfire youth matches.  The dates are 3/22, 4/26, 5/24, 6/28, 7/26, 8/23, and 9/27.  Practice time is 8:00am – 9:00am and the match time is 9:00am – noon.  The age classes are JR Class – up to 14 yrs,  SR Class – 14 yrs and older.  Contact Mike at (309) 263-8991 or Greg Crank at (309) 248-7068 for more info.

Club Election in May
There are three board positions that will be up for election in May.  If you are interested in running for the board, please send a letter to the Chillicothe PO box.  Letters must be received by April 4th.  The list of individuals interested in running, ballots, voting instructions and the recommendations from the nominating committee will be in the next newsletter.  Make sure your dues are paid because only current members are allowed to vote.

Contacting the Board
It has come to our attention that some members have questions or comments for the board and aren’t sure how to contact the directors.  We list two PO boxes in each newsletter for gun shows and for membership.  We also have a website at www.peoriagunshow.com or you can email us at webmaster@peoriagunshow.com.  You can also catch several directors at each Gun Show. We’re always looking for suggestions from the members that improve the gun shows and the range events.  You can also contact me at (309) 693-9149 for a list of directors.

We will have police protection during show hours, but you are responsible for your merchandise.

Quote of the Quarter
This quarter’s quote comes from Charleton Heston’s announcement that he has Alzheimers.  The Holland Sentinal had this quote.  "I'm confident about the future of America. I believe in you. I know that the future of our country, our culture and our children is in good hands," Heston said. "I know you will continue to meet adversity with strength and resilience as our ancestors did and come through with flying colors -- the ones on Old Glory."

Mike Fritz