The Grand Muster and the Wuhan Virus

[Pitspitr]

Hi Jerry

Has you bank ever taken a check to you addresses to General Pitspitr?  Just curious.  Got the patches, thanks.

Later

The post office has delivered mail addressed that way. I don't remember ever getting a check addressed that way though

[RattlesnakeJack]

It has just been announced that the Canada-US border will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least June 21 ...   
Looks like that will pretty much preclude my attending the Grand Muster this year ... 

Still waiting on my Form 6NIA import permit, anyway ... although that will probably be processed well before the end of June ... provided they don't find something new wrong with the application! It got rejected once already this year, although filled it out exactly as I was told to do previously ... successfully for the past two or three applications!     Different examiner ... different interpretation of the rules ...

[RattlesnakeJack]

Mind you, every cloud has a silver lining, as they say ... or so I was thinking.

I was thinking that if I can't go to Nebraska, I should be able to once again attend the British Militaria Forums Victorian Rifleman Shoot in Alberta, which I have had to miss for a number of years now because it is held on the same weekend as the Muster ...   

Just went on that forum to announce my ability to attend this year, only to discover it will likely be cancelled!      That was posted about a week ago, but since then they have started loosening a few rules - e.g. limit on gatherings back up to 50 people,as of now, restaurants re-opening, etc. - so I remain hopeful it may go ahead ...

For now, a link to a Video of the opening volleys at the last such event i was able to attend,in 2015.   (We don't practice these things obviously ... some of these guys definitely needed instruction on the difference between 'Ready", "Present"  and "Fire" ...

[Niederlander]

Some of those uniforms look a little "iffy", Grant!  We'll definitely miss you here if you can't come!

[Delmonico]

Most know I had heart by-pass in December, been talking since before it with my Drs on what I can do this summer, had the go to resume my duties this summer provided I would get someone to help me load and unload the gear, they were worried about me carrying the ovens up the basement stairs, had that covered.

A couple weeks ago I started to have trouble with a cough and congestion, no other signs of COVID-19, I let it go for a week but no improvement so last Monday I called the Dr for an appointment, they made me do a Covid-19 test which made sense to me.  Went to the drive thru place and got the q tip shoved in my nose clrear to my arse-hole as required, the test came back negative so I got to go see the Dr today.  I have a sinus infection and they did a chest x-ray, bad news, I have some pneumonia also, got sent home with antibiotics and steroids.   

She would not tell me not to do it, but her advice was to not do the muster this year, partly due to the pneumonia and partly due to the fact that my cardio rehab has been put on hold because of this mess, I am supposed to be done by June 1st and have not completed a fourth of it.   As much as I want to go, I am going to listen to the Dr this time and not come up, a very hard decision.     

[Pitspitr]

Del, thank you for letting everyone know.

Everyone else, I am working on some ideas as to how to handle the meals. If I come up with a solution I'll let everyone know (again by June 1) If not I will refund the meal fees as soon as I can after June 1

[Mogorilla]

Hi,
Having not been before, i plan to camp there.  Will there be a communal fire are where individuals can cook?

[Pitspitr]

Hi,
Having not been before, i plan to camp there.  Will there be a communal fire are where individuals can cook?

Yes, absolutely. In fact there might be several.

[RattlesnakeJack]

Just a reminder that, although not "cheap", the "bed and breakfast" accommodations available at the Comstock Premier Lodge are certainly top-notch - air conditioning, shower, and other such amenities welcome after a hot, sweaty day of skirmishing! 

And the location is very convenient - only a mile or two "as the crow flies" from the Muster site, although maybe five miles or so down into the valley then back up, by road.  Not sure if they will be offering the bag/box lunches again this year ...

Anyway, I had a room reservation there which will now have to be cancelled ... so I'm sure there will be at least one vacancy. 
(Ask for any "GAF Muster Discount"  they might be offering ...    )

[Pitspitr]

Thank you for posting that reminder Grant

[Delmonico]

I am going to make a suggestion if anyone wants to have a wiener roast, send somebody down to the local locker plant and get some of those big ones they call bulldogs, would be a shame to pollute the local clean air with an Oscar Meyer hot dog.

[Niederlander]

Now THAT is an idea!

[Drydock]

That was my plan for DivMO, and it's a fine idea indeed!  I got roastin' sticks!

[Delmonico]

Loup City has an awesome one downtown, Twin Loup Meats and Loup City has a good place on the south side of the square called Joes if anyone is coming on 92, that would add variety.

I told Jerry we may have to do a campfire Zoom meeting one night, this is gonna be hard on me not going.  They called today and after more study of the X-Ray my left lung is not fully inflating, not serious either, will talk to Cardio about it next week at my appointment if it don't correct it self.   

[pony express]

I'm still hoping to make it, can probably get off work for the weekend, just waiting to hear that the muster will definitely happen before I try and make the arrangements. I think there's plenty of time in the morning and evenings for us to fend for ourselves for food, if necessary, and lunch could be something simple like "make your own" sandwiches.

[Delmonico]

I know you guys can, but I wanted to do it.

[Pitspitr]

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Grand Army of the Frontier;

I am pleased to be able to announce that as of Friday we have been approved by the state and local health Departments to proceed with the Grand Muster with some caveats.

1.) Delmonico will not be able to attend to our cooking needs. At this time, I have not secured a backup source for on-site meals. Since I currently haven't got anything lined up, don't send meal ticket money with your registration. If I am able to come up with a plan for on-site meals, you can pay as you use the option. If you have already sent payment, I will refund at the Muster.

2.) When I laid out my plans to the local health department the lady I spoke with said they all sounded good except for the banquet. We can't use the Comstock lodge's facility as we over fill it and can't maintain the social distancing requirements. So I suggested holding it on the campsite as we have plenty of tables and could spread it out over about 200 acres if need be. (The last part was added with a chuckle because, after all it would give us plenty of "social distance") Her response made absolutely no sense to me.  She said that wouldn't work, that we couldn't have the banquet in a venue that isn't rated for capacity. She said that we would have to find a venue with a rated capacity at least 4 times as large as the expected number of guests. The banquet is currently on hold and may not be held.

•   So with that all said please plan to bring your own food and drinks.

•   Apparently, SASS isn't allowing match directors to bring a water cooler or an ice chest of bottled water. The GAF is more concerned about the heat and dehydration than I am about the chance that somebody might get the Wuhan from drinking our water. Water WILL be available

•   Everyone (at all times) must try to keep the physical distance.  No hugs or hand shaking.  Use hand sanitizer often.

•   Feel free to wear facemasks or bandanas as you see fit.

•   There will be hand sanitizer at the water tables and in the out houses.

•   Remember to maintain 6 feet distance between groups on the range and at lunchtime. Also, maintain 6 feet during registration

•   OF COURSE, ANYONE WHO IS HAVING ANY SYMPTOMS OR WHO HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO ANYONE WITH THE VIRUS SHOULD STAY HOME!  THINK OF OTHERS!

[Niederlander]

I shall do my very best in fighting the urge to hug you gentlemen!  Hope to see you all there!

[Silver Creek Slim]

I shall do my very best in fighting the urge to hug you gentlemen!  Hope to see you all there!

Bummer. 

Slim

[ira scott]

It will be great to see everyone, even from 6 feet away! 

Mike