LEWISTOWN, Ill. - The Fulton County 4-H Shooting Sports Special Interest (SPIN) club recently received a memorial donation from the family of Dale Lascelles. Mr. Lascelles, a long-time Fulton County resident and farmer, was a member of 4-H and FFA who loved sports and trap shooting. Dale was also a member of the Fulton County Farm Bureau, and represented Fulton County for many years at the State Trap Shoot in Bunker Hill, Illinois.
Dale, along with many of his family (a total of 4 generations!), shot a lot of trap at Jacob’s Field in rural Canton every Sunday. Because of Dale’s love of youth sports and trap shooting, his family designated the Fulton County 4-H Shooting Sports shotgun program at Jacob’s Field as the recipient of the monetary memorials given in his honor. The Fulton County 4-H Shootings Sports program and University of Illinois Extension are humbled and honored to receive this generous gift.
The major emphasis of 4-H Shooting Sports is safety while handling firearms. Respect, character building, and accuracy of shooting are also components. Fulton County has five certified instructors and one certified coordinator. These six individuals have attended state trainings to become certified. Nick Schisler is the coordinator, and the instructors are Terry Cremer (Air Rifle), Craig Hand (Air Rifle & Shotgun), Ellie Nolan (Air Rifle), LeeRoy Knuppel (Shotgun, Pistol, and Smallbore .22), and Lonnie VanPelt (Shotgun). There are also screened and trained assistants, who provide support to the instructors. The 2023 Spring Sessions of Fulton County 4-H Shooting Sports will start in April. For more information on the Fulton County 4-H Shooting Sports program, please contact Krista Gray, 4-H Program Coordinator at kristakg@illinois.edu or by calling 309-547-3711.
Photo caption - From left to right – front row: Cindy Chaffin, Kelly Lascelles, Ellie Nolan (4-H Shooting Sports instructor), Krista Gray (Fulton 4-H Program Coordinator) Back row:Charlie Lascelles, Jim Lascelles, Lonnie VanPelt (4-H Shooting Sports Instructor), LeeRoy Knuppel (4-H Shooting Sports Instructor), Terry Cremer (4-H Shooting Sports Instructor), & Earl Allen (County Extension Director)