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Flyer Attached.

David Cruger is a driving force of Sporting Clays in Central New York.  He is an NSCA Level I instructor as well as an organizer for shooting activities in the area.  You will frequently see Dave on the course at Vernon National Shooting Preserve, Clinton Fish & Game, or Ilion Fish & Game.

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Dover Furnace

Pictures

From Al Anglace:

In the infancy of the sport of Sporting Clays in America, vintage mid to late 80's, AJ joined with the Traveler's to do clinics and private lessons. He was, at that time, a very fun loving person and the most unusual shotgun shot we had ever interacted with. He was the first Brit to come to our soil and his acceptance led the way for many of the top shots from Britain to come and help the US shooters gain form in Sporting Clays.The name he earned as a competitor, "Smoker", will long be remembered as a legend in shot gun sports. We do mourn his passing but feel privileged to have had his acquaintance during his best times here in the US.

From http://express.co.uk/posts/view/151376/Clay-shooting-champ-in-gun-suicide-horror-

CLAY SHOOTING CHAMP IN GUN SUICIDE HORROR

Wednesday January 13,2010

By John Twomey

ONE of the world’s leading clay pigeon shooters has been found dead after apparently committing suicide. AJ “Smoker” Smith is believed to have shot himself following the break-up of his marriage. A legend on both sides of the Atlantic, Anthony Smith, 61, held two world and three European titles. He earned his nickname from his phenomenally accurate shooting which saw him “smoking” clays to dust. Smith’s death is being mourned by stunned fans and fellow competitors who posted tributes and messages of sympathy on shooting websites.

His body was found at his home in Stapleford, near Warminster in Wiltshire, on Monday morning with one of his prized shotguns lying nearby. Police say they are not treating the death as suspicious.

A post mortem will be conducted in the next few days.

Friends said Smith had been depressed since his wife Tina moved to the USA four months ago. It is understood he was also due in court on a drink driving charge. Champion clay shot Tony Manvell, who runs the Wiltshire Rod & Gun shop in Swindon, said: “He did a great deal to develop the sport in the USA in the 1980s. He was extremely popular both here and in the States. AJ was a true sport and never let his own extraordinary talent go to his head and always had time to advise youngsters coming into the sport.”

Mr Manvell added: “When Tina left him he coped really well. He lost weight, got fit, shaved off his beard and was in good form. “But we believe other events got him down and made him depressed. It’s a dreadful thought that he died using a shotgun which is how he gained fame.”

A Wiltshire police spokesman said: “We are awaiting official identification of the body in the next couple of days. It’s a tragic incident.” Typical internet tributes to Mr Smith described him as a “legend,” a “superstar” and “godfather of the sport”. One read: “AJ Smith was bigger than life in the sporting world.”

Another friend wrote: “He seemed fine when I saw him a couple of weeks ago, He had lost weight and was looking fit. “He told me he had split from Tina and was going back to Florida. “The split must have affected him more than we thought.”

Mr Smith was also the author of a highly-acclaimed book on clay pigeon shooting called “AJ Smith’s Sporting Clays Masterclass”.

From http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1242813/Clay-shooting-champion-AJ-Smoker-Smith-kills-wife-leaves-him.html#ixzz0cY0eQvPN

Clay shooting champion AJ 'Smoker' Smith kills himself after wife leaves him

By Daily Mail Reporter

Legend: AJ 'Smoker' Smith, pictured on his book, was found beside a shotgun

A world champion clay pigeon shooter has been found dead after apparently committing suicide by blasting himself through the head with a shotgun.

AJ ‘Smoker’ Smith, 63, is believed to have killed himself after the breakdown of this marriage.

He was found on his bed in a pool of blood at his £600,000 home at Stapleford, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, with one of his prized shotguns lying nearby.

Earlier he had made a seemingly desperate transatlantic phone call to his son in California when it is understood he gave details of his Will and estate.

His worried son then rang Wiltshire Police who then forced their way into his home making the grisly discovery on Monday.

Mr Smith, whose first name was Anthony, was a legend on both sides of the Atlantic, holding two world and three European titles.

He earned his nickname from his phenomenally accurate shooting which saw him ‘smoking’ clays to dust.

His death is being mourned by stunned fans and fellow competitors – with many posting tributes and messages of sympathy on shooting websites.

Mike Withers from the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association said: ‘He was a fantastic shooter. He was a world champion for several years.

‘He used to shoot sporting. He had several disciplines in clay pigeon shooting. He also shot in America. We are greatly shocked.’

Police said they are not treating the death as suspicious and that a postmortem will be carried out the next few days.

Friends said he had become depressed since his second wife Tina moved to Florida four months ago.

He lived alone at Stapleford Manor which had stunning views of the Rover Wylye which he had built several years ago.

He may have also been upset at the prospect of appearing in court on a drink driving charge later this month.

On Christmas Day he had been arrested by Hampshire Police after hitting stationary cars on three different occasions at Pennington in the New Forest.

However, the sudden death has left many neighbours shocked.

Mike Geoghegan, chairman of Stapleford Parish Council, stressed: ‘He was such an affable chap.

‘This is such a shock. He was well known in the village.’

Councillor Ian West , who was a friend of Mr Smith, added: ‘It is a tragedy.’

Typical internet tributes to Mr Smith described him as a ‘legend’, a ‘superstar’ and ‘godfather of the sport’.

A friend wrote: ‘He saw fine when I saw him a couple of weeks ago. He had lost weight and was looking fit.

‘He had told me he had split from Tina and was going back to Florida.

‘The split must have affected him more than we thought.’

http://internationalsportingclays.com/index.php/2010/01/a-j-smoker-smith...

From the Flyer:What: A day of celebration and advocacy of the 2nd Amendment in Albany with NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. Where: The Well of the Legislative Office Building, South Swan and State Street. When: January 12, 2010 from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Why: Each year New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and members of the legislature hold Gun Control Day to promote anti-gun, anti-freedom legislation and blame YOU for crime and violence. It is time to fire back and celebrate our freedoms! How: Call your State Assemblyman and Senator to make an appointment to meet with them in their offices on the 12th. Assembly switchboard 518-455-4100. Senate switchboard 518-455-2800. Then call Assemblyman Kolb’s office and let them know you’re coming 518-455-3751.