By Kate Ferraro Creigh,
Contributing Editor

The Single Action Shooting Society's (SASS) first Family Reunion provided a continuous schedule of events, entertainment, and educational seminars. The first Hall of Fame induction took place as well as the first SASS Museum Curators Ball. The Friday afternoon Blue Grass Picnic and the Sunday Morning Gospel Breakfast were just a few of the special events that took place. Live music and specialty acts were performed not only at the many events, but also daily on the Exhibition Hall floor of the Gatlinburg, Tennessee Convention Center, August 19-22, 2004.

Another first was the SASS Cowboy Action University with hands-on Cowboy Action Shooting classes taught by experts in the field. Designed as a classic curriculum of courses, the program offered hands-on instruction in all aspects of Cowboy Action Shooting designed for the beginner, intermediate and advanced shooters. All classes took place at the pristine Sportsmen's Shooting Range facility located just a few minutes from downtown Gatlinburg.

Top ladies competitors Karen Piercy (aka Wicked Felina) and Shari Evans (aka Ima Peach) taught hands-on ladies seminars from introduction to advanced Cowboy Action Shooting.

Ladies Introduction to Cowboy Action Shooting; this course was designed for the ladies of SASS that may not have taken the steps toward participating in the shooting or other aspects of Cowboy Action Shooting. Instead of just "tagging along," they learned about the opportunities available, specifically to the ladies, that might help to overcome any anxieties about the game.

In Ladies Intermediate Cowboy Action Shooting, the beginner lady shooter was taken to the next level by exposure to various shooting styles, equipment and techniques. Basic transitions required within stages were encountered during the hand-on phase of this course.

The Ladies Shotgun Techniques course assisted the lady shooters in the shotgun aspects of Cowboy Action Shooting. Points such as gun fit, eye dominance, loading technique and target acquisition were covered.

Ladies Advanced Cowboy Action Shooting-Part I & Part II were designed specifically for the lady shooters who have a moderate level of understanding and experience within Cowboy Action Shooting. This course exposed ladies to practice drills, shooting tips, transitions as well as the mental aspects of shooting.

In addition to the SASS hands-on Cowboy Action University, a variety of indoor classroom seminars were scheduled. These seminars were also taught by experts in the field and were designed to appeal to a wide audience. All classes took place in the conference rooms at the Gatlinburg Convention Center at SASS home base.

Sharon Moore (Miss Tabitha) taught Dances of the Victorian Era. If you have ever been interested in learning dances of the Victorian era such as the Grand March, Virginia Reel or the Spanish Waltz, then A Victorian Lesson of Dance and Etiquette was not to be missed. Ladies learned how to manage the train of a gown, fan flirtations, bows and curtsies while a gentleman learned how to escort his lady. Ladies attending were encouraged to bring trained or bustled petticoats or skirts in which to practice. With Miss Tabitha's years of experience in period dance, she had the ladies prepared for the SASS Museum Curators Ball.

Cowgirl Action Shooting and The Traditional Costume Contest with Barbara Ormand (aka, Cat Ballou), included the roots of SASS and the women who have done so much to make it what it is todayfrom the inception of the first cowboy news bulletin to the costuming. According to seminar attendee Mary Ann Siarkowski (aka Hard Tree), "It was a delight to know that women not only keep the men in line, but they can cook, clean, edit newspapers, dress up, and shoot pretty darn good as well!" Cat Ballou focused on the importance of dressing up and playing the part as being most of the fun in SASS and stated, "It's not how good you shoot, but how good you look!" She spoke with a feminine point of view for what started out as a predominantly "male birthed" vision that now appeals to women from all walks of life. Cat Ballou has been and continues to be a loud and strong advocate for SASS and demonstrates that vividly with her candid knowledge, personal experience, and gorgeous attire.

Making the Dress by Allison Stann (aka Tornado Alli) and Malinda Buston (aka Fannie Kickinshoot) was most informative and professional, taking the budding seamstress from choosing a pattern to final finishing. They provided step-by-step methods for making the beautiful dresses they wear, proper fit, where to buy fabric, online assistance, and gave everyone a card with their information and website. The history of dressmaking was covered and a sample bodice (circa 1880s) was passed around for comparison to the dresses they make today. Humor was also included by using Fannie who is, according to Tornado Alli, "so graciously endowed with the coveted figure of that time," as a model and talked about the "squish factor" with regard to corsets. The dresses modeled and the pictures shown were impressive and rival those of Hollywood. These ladies are the "pizzazz" of SASS with regard to costuming and bring out the colorful and dramatic spice of cowboy life of that era. According to Malinda Buston (aka Fannie Kickinshoot), she shares her experiences in the seminars with other ladies "hoping to infect them with the contagious passion I have for this sport and its clothing. And it is all worth it when someone tells me, 'You have inspired me to go home and clean the cob webs off my sewing machine and start making outfits for this sport.'"

Other ladies seminars offered in the air-conditioned comfort of the Convention Center were Developing a Character by the Carolina Belles (Malinda Butson, aka Fannie Kickinshoot; Allison Stann, aka Tornado Alli; Kathy Laughlin, aka Catawba Kate; and Susan Hosey, aka Sly) (Developing Character Photo), Ladies Hat Making by Mary Dominy (aka Hurricane with one r), (photo) Bustles and Buckskins with Sly and Catawba Kate, and Ladies Traditional Undergarments with Miss Tabitha.

The history of the Single Action Shooting Society and the sport of Cowboy Action Shooting™ is one of dedication, creativity, and achievement. Its people and their lives have created a family activity with enduring appeal not only in the United States, but throughout the world. SASS inducted the first six individuals into the newly formed Cowboy Action Shooting Hall of Fame during the four-day Family Reunion celebration in the scenic vacation destination of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, August 19-22.

The SASS Museum and Cowboy Action Shooting Hall of Fame honors and memorializes the men and women, who through their exemplary contributions and achievements, have embodied and perpetuated the sport of Cowboy Action Shooting and the Single Action Shooting Society. Through these distinguished inductions, the SASS Museum and Cowboy Action Shooting Hall of Fame provides a generational continuity with the past, present, and future and creates a record of a game that has become a family oriented pastime and passion that preserves our Great American culture.

The men and women honored in the SASS Cowboy Action Shooting Hall of Fame, SASS' highest honor, represent the heart and spirit of this truly American pastime. Sport founders, promoters, manufacturers, makers, shooters, and others whose contributions to the game helped it grow and endure, will find a home within this unique memorial.

These first year inductees are special in many ways. The founders of Cowboy Action Shooting and the Single Action Shooting Society, Harper H. Creigh (aka Judge Roy Bean, SASS #1), and Boyd Davis (aka General U.S. Grant, SASS #2), are among the most significant inductees. Each of these gentlemen made essential contributions to the shooting sports by envisioning this family oriented game and creating innovative concepts that have endured for more than 25 years.

In the history of End of Trail, the SASS World Championships, no two individuals have achieved more significant victories than Dennis Ming (aka China Camp, SASS #649), and Michael Schmucker, aka Smuck, SASS #160. Over the years from 1992 through 1996, the unbeatable China Camp won the overall World Championship five consecutive years, setting a record not likely to be broken. Smuck, (aka Lucky Smucky) was the first multiple World Champion, winning three times, in 1984, 1985, and 1988and doing it in different categories each time. In fact, Smuck won his shooting honors in every category in which he was allowed to compete. Ladies, Juniors, and Senior categories were "off limits!" although one year he shot End of Trail in a "Little Lord Fountleroy" costume and another year in a dress.

In the final two categories, the inductees are recognized for their contributions to the industry that surrounds the game. Alan Wah, aka Wahoo, SASS #822, a clothing visionary who designed and manufactured a line of Old West Cowboy clothing with attention to authenticity entered the Hall of Fame for his important contribution to this significant sport's staple. Finally, a posthumous induction was presented in recognition of the late Navy Arms Company founder, Val Forgett (aka Pierre Gun Runner, SASS #6220). A visionary in the manufacture of Cowboy firearms, Forgett was an early pioneer in providing Old West reproductions that literally provided the starting point for many shooters to relive and play the Cowboy Action Shooting game that has become so popular over the last 25 years.

"A Night to Remember" was the first ever SASS Family Reunion Picnic on Friday night of the SASS Family Reunion and Hall of Fame Induction. The entire family was welcome for a night filled with delicious barbecue, boot-scootin' music and entertaining games.

Mynatt Park, located just up the road from the Convention Center was transformed into a classic Southern family reunion. The folks at Beamhit set up a virtual shooting range and they premiered a new line of Cowboy Action targets specifically for SASS. The trout stream along side the park was a place for young'uns to participate in the Largest Trout Contest. Poles were provided and the stream was stocked. Tennessee's finest barbecue outfit, the Wright Stuff, who have won many national contests for their absolutely mouth-watering barbecue, provided the dinner. A number of old timey arcade games gave competitive Cowboys something to crow about and the first ever SASS Cowboy Dunk Tank made its debut.

Gatlinburg is a great location, considering it is only a "one day trip for half of the nation's population," according to the Sixth Generation Smoky Mountain Tour Guide.

The Single Action Shooting Society's first Family Reunion also included costume contests, opportunities for shopping to expand one's Cowboy wardrobe, and visiting with friends from around the nation and world. The Olympics motto is 'May the flame burn eternally." The SASS motto should be "Saddle up, spin the lasso, and ride the range" next year to Gatlinburg for the 2nd Annual Family Reunion.