The Druands Youth Group Leaders

Back when I was in junior high and younger, there was a group that I met with every Saturday. A couple who had no kids of their own put together an archery club for kids. They were German and talked with a bit of a German accent. Eric and Lee had a very nice home on a hillside in the unincorporated part of South San Francisco-San Bruno.It was a large Spanish Style split level house with about two acres behind it.

Every week we met in their garage and paid our 10cent dues. The basic premise was to teach the yut (youth) to be good people and to always tell the trut (truth). We had a governance with round table assistants, a president and a vice president. Safety was the number one factor and sportsmanship followed close behind. There were as many girls in club (lady marions) as there were robin hoods (boys). After our meetings we shot arrows according to our age and ability.

Every year there was a gigantic sleepover and tournament held on the grounds. We asked for donations from merchants and they were happy to donate items that did not sell or looked important. We learned how to ask and how to be polite when items were provided.

On the day after the sleepover, the parents were invited to a large potluck were a lamb was spit roasted (the first time I ever ate lamb) and a huge picnic ensued.

The donated gifts were layed out upon tables and the archer with the highest scores got to choose first and the second got to choose second.. on down the line. There were enough prizes for every archer. At one time this was about 150 kids. There was also a huge turkey shoot. A contest for trophies was also run. A perpetual trophy was awarded to the highest score for that round. Trophies were also awarded for 2nd place and third place. Surprisingly, an unknown archer would get his name of the trophy because the favorite would get too nervous to score well. The final part of the competition was the turkey shoot. At first fresh turkeys were hung on a post and awarded to the winner. In the final years the turkey was frozen. A couple of large salamis were also awarded to the 3rd and fourth level winners.

We always marched in the San Bruno youth posey parade. All flowers just like the rose bowl parade.. except on a smaller scale. We had uniforms. sweatshirts with hoods dyed at home with forest green dye and vests made from felt. Green pants completed the uniform. We made a float. We all marched beside the float with our bows (no arrows) We had such fun. It was such a significant time and energy donation by people that did not have kids.

I am sure the are gone now. They were at least 50 back in 1959 to 64. While the kids managed the club, the watchful eyes of the sponsors made sure that no one was taken advanted of. I was the president, the first time I held political office in 1963. I rigged a campaign with my sister Mikie Sue where we put vote for pat stickers on every member that would take one. The election wasn't even close.

Our turkey shoot was on the week after John F Kennedy was shot, November 22,1863. I gave the speech that commemorated the loss and opened the turkey shoot contest. That was 44 years ago. I have been in local club politicas since then.

It is hard to give back these days. We need to do it however. People like Eric and Lee Druand remind us that we need to teach our yuts to get along with each other, and to always tell the trut. Sportsmanship is important. And having a good time was important too.

Hats off to the adult volunteers that gave so selflessly of their time and energy.

Love Pat