Hunt for Punkin Flock

I began the official hunt for Punkin Flock last week, so I went to the last place that I saw her. These pictures are various views of the Trap Shooting HOF location at the old ATA home grounds in Vandalia. As you can see nothing is left but one lonely weed growing at the old entrance to the HOF ghost site. I could find no sign of Punkin, but I will not be deterred. So the hunt will continue.
If any of you have any leads please post them as all help will be appreciated. The historybuff is doing some research and is rumoured to have a picture that I am trying to get out of him, so far to no avail though.
I was thinking about contacting a milk company about putting Punkin's picture on a carton but I think a more helpful source would be Budweiser. So as soon as I get that picture I'll be e-mailing it to St. Louis. Brad

 

Do you think she was kidnapped? It will be interesting to see if any of the old items turn up missing.

 

What a mystery! Brad, don't do this alone.

 

It was sad to see those hangers out there, I shot a lot of shoot off targets over the years looking right at them. Brad

 

May want to check out the boarded up Friendly's Ice cream place across from the bush?

 

If I recall she was about the first thing you saw when you entered the HOF.

Always wondered who did the rendering as I thought it could have been a lot better.

Regards.....Gerald

 

Where is Punkin?

 

I think these two fellows were also looking for Punkin. Maybe they were after Pumpkin Pie. Any idea who they are ?

 

Lol good one!

 

Many sightings at Fulmers market over the years but now that too is gone. You've got a tough one on your hands Brad. This will take time.

 

Oh, that's the Berlet Brothers . . . . Dave and Ned at the 1963 Grand American.

 

HistoryBuff I can find both of those guys once a month in Moulton at the Gun Club, and one of them about everyday at the Eagles in St Marys (almost surely eating pie of some sort) and I think if you look to the left side of one of those Vandalia pictures I posted you can still see some retained energy of the beer tent which was a favorite hangout for one. I'm still looking for that other picture though. Brad

 

And only a couple weeks before the Grand, Punkin was seen at the Southern Zone held at the Memphis (TN) Gun Club.

Darn if she didn't make a new record.

 

HistoryBuff, Don't you have any current pictures, I'm looking through my files? I did have one someplace but my computer skills are class double E at best. Brad

 

Nice Model 12's there boys ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Well . . . . let's see. How about a picture of Punkin from the 1963 Grand American. Looks like she's wearing the shooting attire with cowgirl boots on her likeness when it was displayed in her cubicle when the museum was at Vandalia.

Is this the picture you were looking for Brad?

 

Diamond grade I suppose (Berlet brothers)?

 

History Buff that picture brings back memories. The posted picture posted was actually from 1961. Ned and I each broke a pair of 99's for the 396 which was a grand record at the time for that event. that day there was a steady rain all day and it was still raining when the picture was taken. Our first win was in 1958 in a shootoff with Iva Jarvis and Gladys Post the Pembridge sisters. We won this event 6 different years, which was a record at that time.2 years we won in a shootoff and 2 times we lost in shootoffs and 2 other times we broke 398 X400 and lost to the Russo brothers 400 X400 Larry and Jerry who have won this event I believe 11 different years. Also my stepson Dirk Meckstroth and I have won the grand parent and child event 4 different times. One year we tied Debbie and Kay Ohye with 399 X 400 and in the carryover shootoff Dirk and I broke 400 X400 to win.

If my memory is correct I believe that there was a picture of Punkin and me in the Trap and Field that had the 1959 Ohio State Shoot pictures. By the way Brad how did you know that I was partial to pie? The old Vandalia beer stand.So many memories and good times.It seems like that every time I visited that place a memorable story was told or an unforgettable moment happened. Any way Kenny, Brad is too much of a newbie to be involved in some of those memories. Thanks Kenny for bringing back some great trapshooting memories, and Brad continue on in your search for Punkin. At this time I am not sure wether she will make it to Sparta or not so I hope that you can find her.

Dave Berlet

 

Thanks for the picture historybuff, can you find the one with Dave? Brad

 

I'm pretty sure Punkin fell victim to cancer but I never really knew how old she was. I was thinking she was in her forties or maybe early fifties? Hell of a shooter!

 

Brad, you sure you really want to see Punkin and Dave standing side by side?

Well, OK, here are the two trophy winners. I want to see that Sternberger trophy some day.

 

Very cool photos from HistoryBuff! I have been shooting with Dave for many years now but I certainly did not recognize him or Ned in the photo. I'm not sure if their guns were diamond grade, but I can tell you that in my opinion, both of the Berlet brothers are "diamond grade". I hope Brad and HistoryBuff can locate Punkin!

Don

 

I see Mr. Fred Waldock was shooting well in 1959. He broke 199 with Joe Hiestand and P. O. Harbage and shot off for the Ohio State Singles Championship. Joe Hiestand went 25 straight in the shoot-off and the others missed 1.

At the Okoboji Indian shoot young Fred was H-O-A Champ with 526x550.

Then he tied with several others with 200 straight at the GAH Dayton Homecoming. He and Arnold Riegger battled it out till the end. Old Arnold won with 325 straight shoot-off targets. Fred missed one for 324.

I had the honor of meeting the Waldock family at the recent Okoboji Indian shoot at the Cardinal Center. And it was an honor indeed.

 

How old about was Punkin when she started shooting?

 

HB, some time remind me to tell you the story about P O that day . Also what he did to Fred during a doubles practice at that same shoot.

Dave Berlet

 

I found her, I found her...Behind Glass !

Opps, I forgot, she left home and no forwarding address

 

That's the picture I remember, So now I've got a photo to go by in my search, HistoryBuf is providing good background info, Dave and Brad's friend (I Hope) can make a positive ID, we may be getting someplace. If that's gold around her neck I worry about her safety knowing who she's been known to hang out with lately, used to have friends around but what about today. I hope she's not at the bottom of a strip pond someplace. All those all american patches and not a lady 2 in the bunch.

Now I need info on where she went from home, does anyone have a forwarding address that we don't know about? Has she left the state? Let's solve this mystery. Brad

 

Vera "Punkin" Flock was about 28 when she started shooting.

She first registered targets in 1947.

 

History Buff is the man, got to hand it to him ... He knows ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Thanks WPT,

I try.

Yep, "Buff Knows!" . . . . . . . but he doesn't know everything. I'm still learning each and every day.

 

Ask HB, and yee shall receive !

He is the best record keeper the ATA could have wished for.

B's F And HB's also I hope....

 

OK BRAD...

My secret informer allowed me to share this picture publicly.

Up to you to find the forwarding address as this is where Good Old Punkin resides today.

 

I'm sending an agent to Fla in about a month with instructions and hopefully after I'll have news to report soon. HistoryBuff how old was Punkin Flock when she died and what year was it? I can remember my dad watching her in the 60's when I was a kid. Brad

 

Now Brad,

You know ladies never give out their age and it was not listed in her Completed Careers either. From all I can tell she was born about 1918 or 1919 in Stonewall, Georgia. Punkin died on July 9, 1978 in Atlanta, near the Emory Medical Center where she was being treated for nearly a year for cancer. That would make her about 59 years old when she passed.

Her mannequin does not do her justice as she was a nice looking lady in my opinion.

Her husband Carl passed on July 28, 1981 at the age of 77. He used to raced motorboats. His three brothers - Fonte, Bob and Time were all well-known race car drivers.

Sadly, Punkin Flock passed just before (the previous month) being inducted into the Trapshooting Hall of Fame.

 

I never would of known it was that flock family fonte was a nascar champ in 1951 in a Hudson

 

biggun 682,

Yes, most don't know that many members of the Flock Family were very talented. They had a sister named Reo who was a wing-walker and parachutist. Sadly she died young with TB.

The Flock brothers won many races across the country. I read that they raced their stock cars against Richard Petty.

A very interesting family indeed.

 

I for one could probably sit and listen to the History Buff for days on end, love the historical part of most things especially those that I care about ... I sincerely appreciate any and all of his postings ... The man is Amazing, truly amazing, Please keep up the good work ... I am a BIG Fan ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Some day I hope to be able to meet History Buff in person.

Such an interesting man isn't found every day.

Thanks for all of your hard work HB !

Dave in Fl.

 

Just delighted that you are interested in history. Now we're a family and it is our duty to spread these stories around the country. Our old-time shooters and their families deserve to be remembered and there are many fascinating stories which need to be told.

Here's something I found about the Flock Family. I'm remain grateful to the writer.

Flock Family​

The Flock Brothers
The Flock family of Fort Payne, Alabama, was perhaps the most adventurous and daring family in Alabama history. The Flocks are best known for the exploits of brothers Bob, Fontell (Fonty), and Tim, who were early stock-car-racing stars on the NASCAR circuit in the 1940s and 50s. Sisters Reo, an airshow barnstormer, and Ethel, a driver, also joined in the daredevil activities, although to a lesser degree. The family helped popularize what is now one of the fastest-growing spectator sports in the nation. The family's daredevil streak began with father Carl Lee Flock, a cab driver born in Fort Payne in 1873. Carl Lee was a local celebrity who entertained the community as a bicycle racer, trick cyclist, and tightrope walker. He died in 1928, leaving his wife Maudie with eight children at the onset of the Great Depression—a ninth child, Charles, had died as an infant.
Hard times helped spark the spirit of adventure in the Flock children. Daughter Reo (born 1909), named after the REO line of automobiles and trucks, left home in her teens and became a performer with traveling airshows across the eastern United States. She was a noted wingwalker, stunt parachutist, and expert skeet shooter. She died of tuberculosis on November 2, 1936. Carl Lee Jr. (born 1904) left Alabama and set off on a life of adventure in Atlanta, helping his bootlegger uncle Peachtree Williams haul illegal liquor. Carl later became a successful bootlegger in his own right and a champion speedboat racer. Younger brothers Robert Newman "Bob" (born 1918) and Truman Fontell "Fonty" (born 1920) soon joined him in the illegal liquor business, and Maudie moved the rest of the family to the Atlanta area in 1931.
The Flock family entered the world of stock-car racing on September 9, 1939, when Bob and Fonty entered their Ford Coupes—probably their bootlegging cars—in a 100-mile race at Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway. The race was won by Roy Hall, another bootlegger, but Bob had a successful debut and finished third. Both brothers became car-racing fanatics and soon were regulars on the fledgling stock-car circuit, traveling to races throughout the Piedmont South prior to World War II. The outbreak of the war interrupted the brothers' racing career, and both served in the military.

Fonty Flock
After the war, Bob and Fonty returned to stock-car racing and soon became two of the top stars in the region. Unfortunately, they could not pursue their craft on their home turf of Lakewood Speedway. After a major campaign led by Atlanta Constitution editor Ralph McGill and the local Baptist and Methodist ministerial alliance, the track management agreed to ban anyone with a police record from racing at the city-owned track. Bob gained local fame when he tried to sneak into a Lakewood race with his face hidden behind a bandana. When Atlanta police tried to arrest him, he led them on a high-speed chase around the speedway, through the board fence, and down the streets of the city.

Tim and Maudie Flock
The brothers found another outlet for competition in races promoted by former racing competitor Bill France. Often billed as the "Mad Flocks," "The Flying Flocks," or the "Fabulous Flocks," Bob and Fonty found stock-car-racing stardom in the late 1940s in France's National Championship Stock Car Circuit in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia, at northeastern fairgrounds, and as far west as Indiana. The Flocks always received top billing for these races, and promoters often paid them to come to town days before an event to help build interest. In 1947, the pair had one of their most successful years when Fonty won six races and the points championship and Bob won eight races and placed fifth in points. In 1948, the brothers signed on to France's new National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) series and were joined by youngest brother Julius Timothy "Tim" (born 1924). Racing in modified stock cars, all three brothers placed in the top 10 in points, with Fonty second (with 15 wins), Tim third (with one win), and Bob seventh (with five wins). When France began his premier "Strictly Stock" series (now the Nextel Cup) at the Charlotte Speedway in 1949, the "Mad Flocks" were the main attraction. Bob won the pole position for the race but dropped out early due to engine failure, but Fonty finished second and Tim fifth.

Ethel Flock Mobley
At the second "Strictly Stock" race at the Daytona Beach and Road Course on July 10, 1949, sister Ethel Flock Mobley joined her racing brothers—the only time four members of one family took part in a race in NASCAR's top division. Ethel began racing in the so-called "powder-puff derbies" that Bob held at a new track he was promoting near Morrow, Georgia. She quickly moved from these women-only events to compete with the men. In an effort to boost the popularity of his new series, Bill France added three women drivers to the competitions. In her husband's 1948 Cadillac, Ethel not only finished ahead of the other women—in 11th place—but to her eternal delight defeated both Bob and Fonty. Ethel's racing career was relatively short-lived, however. She drove in only one more race in NASCAR's top division and occasionally raced in Georgia until the demands of family life led her to retire in 1952. She died in 1984.

Tim Flock and the Hudson Hornet in Victory Lane
Throughout the early 1950s, the Flock brothers remained in the top echelon of drivers and were among the more outlandish personalities in NASCAR. Bob won four races in its top division, but his career was cut short by a serious accident in 1951. He raced only sporadically until 1956. Often considered by his contemporaries as the Flock with the most raw driving talent, Bob died of a heart attack in 1964. Fonty won 19 Grand National races and finished in the top five inthe points championship four times in a career that lasted until 1957. He is perhaps best remembered for his win in the 1952 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, a race he drove in Bermuda shorts and argyle socks. After the checkered flag fell, Fonty parked his car on the front stretch, stood on its hood, and led the crowd in singing "Dixie." He retired from racing in 1957 after he was involved in a serious accident at Darlington. Fonty sold insurance, worked for NASCAR in the 1960s, and is credited by some with originating the idea of building a superspeedway near Talladega. He died of cancer in 1972.

Tim Flock at Daytona
Tim was the most successful of the Flocks, with 40 wins (currently 15th on the all-time list) and two NASCAR Grand National Championships in 1952 and 1955. Tim's 40 wins in 189 starts give him the best winning percentage in NASCAR history. He is often remembered for driving with a rhesus monkey named Jocko Flock in his car for eight races in 1953. In a race in Raleigh, Jocko slipped his leash and began running amok inside the car. Tim had to pull into the pit to get rid of the panicked monkey, likely costing him the race, and Jocko was retired. Tim himself retired from racing in 1961 when Bill France Sr. banned him from NASCAR "for life" for attempting to organize NASCAR drivers with the Teamsters Union. He worked for a number of years in marketing at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and served as one of the most important links to NASCAR's early days in his later years. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991, and in 1998, as part of its 50th anniversary, NASCAR named Tim one of its 50 greatest drivers. He died of cancer one month later. In May 2013 it was announced that Tim Flock will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2014.

Dan Pierce
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Published February 26, 2007
Last updated May 23, 2013

 

my bad tim flock was one of dads heroes

 

In honor of your Dad, biggun 682



Enjoy Our History

 

OK Brad,

My secret informer has allowed me to give YOU a little hint as to the whereabouts of this secret part time home of Punkin's .

It is within 570 miles of the World Shooting Complex, about a 9.5 hour drive....

That's all he / she allowed me to tell you !

I will admit that even I don't know Punkin's address...That is a good thing !!!

Dave in sunny Florida

 

Brad
I hope that you do not settle for the "I know where she is" . Facts are difficult to come by lately. As Ronald Wilson Reagan said. "Trust but verify." When you find Punkin take the picture.

Also special thanks to HB as usual for his fine work!

 

And . . . . here's Punkin at the 1964 Grand. Sorry, borrowed this from the Web.

 

Can now read the print.

 

Very interesting post for me, also shows our age. I shot next to Punkin on a 16 yd squad at ST Petersburg gun club around 1970. She was a very friendly person and fun to shoot with. Another unforgettable name is P.O. Harbage. I shot with him in his later years and also hunted grouse. We also sipped a little Jim Beam.

 

Brad's friend (I hope) good stuff, I think HistoryBuff is on the right track. I'm enjoying all this background info. Lot's of past sightings, but I'm still convinced she is in danger. Has anyone asked Bardford where she is? Maybe someone on the inside will send us a picture of her in her current condition. That would sure be nice. Brad

 

Brad,

My only hope is they kept her standing upright, and didn't lay her down in a casket type box...That would be a disaster...

Sure would be nice if her home is air conditioned too....

BF

 

I think she's keeping an eye on eight Pat Trap machines.

 

Seitz....God, I hope so !!!

Nobody else seems to know and it's one damned sore subject when you ask an ATA official.

They all sound like Hillary...."What difference does it make ?" "Drop the subject !"

 

Our message is getting out, I just got a phone call from a source who is sending me a picture of Punkin. It's coming snail mail, less likely to be interfered with I guess. I'll keep reporting as I'm sure HistoryBuff will also. Brad Dysinger

 

BRAD,

OMG, I just found out that both Punkin and Annie are being held hostage in the same building...

What are we to do ??? Call out History Buff to help us ???

 

The above post got me thinking. If we do find Punkin, it would be fun to know if she was making money for another entity during her captivity.

 

I never knew Punkin, but her husband would come and shoot at
Silver Dollar. He could talk about her for hours, even while
We were shooting. He sure loved her.

Greta c

 

I have it from a good source that the head pupaw has sent down some info that will be shared with the unshaven masses soon. Stay on the lookout for this update. Maybe tonite. Brad

 

Maybe she will arrive in a Hudson hornet.

 

To All,

The concerns many of you have expressed over the whereabouts of Punkin Flock and matters relating to the new museum reached the Trapshooting Hall of Fame. I know this because I recently received an email from Chairman Jim Bradford Jr., who graciously provided details on Ms. Flock's true location and also clarifies some of the issues and misconceptions posted on this forum.

I was aware of the possible storage location of the HOF museum artifacts and had expected that they may be packaged & warehoused by the same company who was first chosen for the job a couple of years prior, then shelved when the decision was made to remain open at Vandalia.

I was aware of the Memorandum of Agreement permitting the loan of the HOF firearms collection to the National Firearms Museum (NRA), as part of their massive display of guns at a Bass Pro, in Springfield, Missouri. I was involved in discussions with the NFM and proposed the idea to the Trustees as a way of keeping the Trapshooting Hall of Fame name out in public. That's back during the time every HOF firearm was cleaned and prepared for long term storage. I know because I wore band-aids for a week from cuts I got from the sharp edges on some receivers.

I also understood from THOF updates that the fundraising campaign was still in the need of $380,000, but, apparently some assumed and posted that an additional $300K in donations was needed to complete the interior of the museum.

I assume Mr. Bradford won't mind if I share much of his communication with you since I took it to be a gentle nudge to provide Americantrapshooter.com readers with current and accurate information. So, rather than me telling you what he wrote me , I thought you would appreciate reading it officially from him.

Here's what Jim wrote :

October 19, 2015

Kenny Ray,

Haven’t heard from you in a while since you tested my memory regarding 3 hole targets, etc. I answered your query but didn’t hear back from you.

There seems to be some interest in the whereabouts of Punkin Flock. She is in storage in a climate controlled and fire suppressed insured warehouse in Lorraine, OH. Every artifact, photo, etc., other than our guns that we had late September 2012 is there. We inventoried everything in at Vandalia, out of Vandalia and into Lorraine…everything traveled well and got there.

The guns went to the National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, VA, run the NRA. The guns were sprayed, wiped down, wrapped and boxed…8 boxes were placed in wooden crates built on site.

You know from your past experience that we have a fiduciary responsibility toward these things.

Contrary to postings, we need $380,000 to complete the building and interior, not an additional $300,000 for the interior.

Anyhow wanted to clarify a few things with you.

Hope you are well.

Jim

 

Historybuff, Would you ask Jim if there is a webcam we could have joe acess so we could see Punkin for ourselves. 2012 was a long time ago. Has anyone checked her, we've had some hot weather and power outages in that time?

You're comunication with the HOF chairman stirred my interest and I looked up all my communications from 2009 between Jim, Jack, the OSTA, and the HOF Trustees, in fact I have e-mails you sent. Dr. Lynn Parsons gave me copies of all the e-mails and told me to keep them and do with them what I want. I'm going through them and trying to arrange them in some order and I'll post them on here in the very near future and I also found the architect's drawing of what a Cardinal Center located HOF would have looked like.

I forgot some of what went on back then but it is very interesting reading. I'm hopeful Punkin is ok, a current picture and address would be reassuring and I hope that's not to much to ask. Brad

 

Brad,

I am sure the masses would love to see the communications our old friend "Doc" Parsons sent to you.

The more enlightenment, the better.

 

Could this possibly be a clue ?

 

A Clue?


Scooby snack for History Buff!

 

Here's a clue:

 

Damn Jim you're only here a couple weeks and I'm pretty sure you just got yourself put on double secret probation. Keep an eye out for white vans driving around your neighborhood or following you.

 

You guys better lighten up on the people that made the decisions on the ATA HOF.

From the pic they did one thing right.


THEY PUT IT ON WHEELS!!!!!

 

I need to tell you that idea of putting it on wheels was suggested many years ago.

This would have been the THOF traveling Road Show so MANY of the shooters across the land could see a part of the history.

I noted in the picture that the Original Logo that Doc Parsons had reinstated was on the truck. This was the one with 1969 in the center.

I see now the BOT Must Have re-voted to have the ATA THOF Logo reinstated.

Makes one wonder if that $250,000.00 donation of OUR money had any influence on that change over ?

 

I am not sure where Punkin is, but as of this moment the traphof.org website has been hacked.

View attachment 3250

 

Holy crap....I'll say they have Not a nice thing at all....

http://www.traphof.org/

 

It's a small world.

HistoryBuff is on vacation, staying in Islamorada with long-time friends, in the Florida Keys and was a guest at the Islamorada Fishing Club. We all sat at a table with two older couples who were friends of our friends. I was asked what line of work I was in and about my hobbies. I mentioned that I was a clay target shooter for many years. One of the gentlemen raced sprint and midget cars.

Another couple joined us and when my trapshooting came up again, I was asked by the gentleman if I knew a lady by the name of "Punkin Flock." I almost spit my sip of Crown Royal.

This gentleman told me he used to shoot with Punkin and Carl at a hunting club and she was really a good shooter.

One story was that a lone duck came flying overhead and Punkin asked if anyone wanted a duck. She threw her shotgun to her shoulder and brought it down making it look so easy.

Another story was about dove hunting. Punkin dropped one dove after another, grassing about six when one kept going after she shot. Somebody said "You missed that one Punkin" and she said "Naaaah, he's dead he just doesn't realize it yet," and then the dove took a nose dive to the ground.

We talked for several minutes about Punkin and Carl Flock and I told him about Carl getting a figurine of her made which was placed in the Trapshooting Hall of Fame in Vandalia, Ohio and has been in storage for a few years.

What a small but wonderful world this is.

Enjoy Our History

HB

 

Why do I not have permission to view, attachment 3250? Roger C.

 

I told you low profile, low profile Roger. Maybe the Kool Aid fanatics are on your trail.

 

Great Story History Buff !

When I read about the "Almost" spitting your Crown Royal, first guy I thought of was old "Two Dogs", the Crown Man from Ontario.

Dang, those were some pretty good days out in Ohio, sitting and chatting with old "Two Dogs" and his Crown that he so generously shared.

Good Memories abound !!!

I am ready to toss in the towel on all of the goings on lately, and get back to just paying visits with old friends, and leaving the gun in the closet.

Be rest assured though, one of my last quests will be to help our friend Brad find his long lost Gal Friend, Punkin...

 

I found another clue !



Enjoy Our History

 

More clues?



More Scooby Snacks for History Buff!

 

That Punkin Flock lady had a list of achievements for sure. Here's one from 1960.

 

Punkin was a good looking gal! I hope she is warm. Some of those Scooby snacks should go to Mr. Thompson.

 

I hope Punkin is having a better holiday season than the HOF is. Brad

 

It would be great to have the HOF business resolved., then maybe Punkin F. could finally enjoy her new (maybe) residence!

Then Carl would know his wife was finally settled!

Greta c

 

Perhaps The Hall of Fame would Loan Ms. Punkin to the OHIO Hall of Fame. At least someone could see this nice lady instead of leaving her cooped up in a storage locker.

 

Just think of how great it would be if the "STCP" shooters could visit with her in 2016 ....

Maybe the "OHIO Hall of Fame" will be kind and hang a picture of the Illinois Tomb ... I mean a picture of the Illinois Bait and Tackle Shop.

 

I hope that if the find Punkin they put her in the OSTA museum where more can see her and she is safe.

 

I would like to think that Mr. Bradford would get in touch with the rest of the THOF board of Trustees, and perhaps work out an agreement with the Ohio THOF to "Store" Punkin in their museum, at least until they can move into their own place. After all, my understanding is she isn't far from there now.

Probably never happen, but I can dream for others. I have already seen her, and others should have that opportunity.

 

I came across your forum while doing some family history research. Made me smile to know she was appreciated. Although I never really knew my Aunt Punkin, I always admired her. After my grandmother passed away, we were cleaning out the house where she lived taking care of my Uncle Carl after Punkin died, I found one of Punkin and Carl's old album. I was so happy to have found this gem. Thought I'd share with y'all. Kinda nice to be able to share with someone who would appreciate them.

 

Thank you all for keeping her memory alive! I hope she is safe and sound!

 

Alison,

It's a pleasure to meet you and thanks for sharing some special thing from your Aunt & Uncle's scrapbook. You have been left a wonderful piece of history. Please safeguard it and make arrangements to preserve it for our future. Feel free to post more pages. We certainly enjoy looking at them.

 

Welcome Alison !

What a wonderful treasure you have, and thank you for sharing it with us who really care.

Yours, Dave

 

Drop by again Alison.

 

Great stuff Alison.

 

We now have conflicting reports as to whether Punkin will be in a controlled environment. The outcome may end in the hands of Illinois anti-gun bureaucrats.

 

oh no!

 

Move the artifacts to another location.

 

Punkin's GUN is missing....

Oh no, did they give it to a past president ????????

 

I just received notice that Punkin's gun, along with the others have been returned to the THOF and Punkin's is now in her good hands once again.

Whew, Merlo doesn't have to go looking...he is busy enough as it is.

 

I guess I've been following shooting related web sites for about 10 years now. In that time I've read a lot, met some nice folks, some duds, too, made some friends, got some laughs, and even had to choke back a few tears. Beyond any shadow of a doubt, this thread is the most nostalgic, most intriguing, most informative, most heart warming, and most interesting thread I've ever read. It reminds me a lot of the way good people stay in touch with themselves, their friends, and their individual and group histories. My Grandfather taught me how to shoot when I was 6 years old. I'm almost 71. I still have the gun. I still remember the block of wood I shot that day like it was yesterday. To all of you who have contributed to this thread, thank you.

 

Phantom,

Glad you are enjoying the trip down memory lane.

For those who may have wondered, the pictures I posted of Punkin under Glass, and Annie Oakley, were taken at the original Trap Shooting Hall of Fame museum in Vandalia just before it closed.

You will never find a man alive like our History Buff. He is probably the World's leading figure when it comes to the history of our trap shooting game.

I love the history, and trust me, History Buff has enlightened me on much of it.

He is modest beyond words, but when asked, he will do everything in his power to provide history about any trap shooter, trap, or club from way back when.

 

I just wanted to stop back by and let you all know that I donated both of the scrapbooks that I was so lucky to have to the THOF. I took several pictures before I did so. I thought I would share them. Thank you all for keeping her memory alive! I can't decide which is my favorite but I do love the Remington one with Uncle Carl.

 

Great pictures.

 

Very nice history lesson. I enjoyed the read.
Thanks

 

She was very easy on the eyes also .... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Our Motor Racing Fan Club had a speaker who is the History Buff of NASCAR in May, Buzz McKim

He gave a little talk about the Flock's in NASCAR, and what an amazing and diversified family they were.

Cheers !