National Horseshoe Pitchers Association NEWSLETTER TOOLS

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Publicity! Publicity! Publicity!

Let's make our secret known!
by Billie Sue Pennington

Someone recently wrote that organized horseshoe pitching was "the best kept secret in the world". Thinking back on my own attempt to find the sport after seeing Don Titcomb, CA performing a demonstration at a local county fair, I believe that to be true. My softball days were over in 1976, and by 1980 I had gotten too old and fat to ski. There was, however, a need in my life for an activity, and even more important, a need for competition. Seeing Don's performance interested me enough to start looking for a place to pitch. My first thought, the phone book, produced a lead --- listed was "the San Jose Horseshoe Store". Upon visiting, it was found to be a supply house for farmers. They carried horseshoeing products. They knew there

was a club "somewhere" because a guy who pitched had stopped by to introduce himself. Guess who? Yep, Don Titcomb. The information that he had left had long since been misplaced. My search continued throughout the year without success. The parks and recreation department was no assistance even though the San Jose Horseshoe Club had been located in Ryland Park for many years. " Horseshoe Pitching" wasn't listed on their activity roster they said. My hope was that "the guy" would be pitching at the fair in August. To make a long story short, "he", Don Titcomb, was there, and so was Verdan Zelmar, then President of the Nor Cal Horseshoe Pitchers Association. Success at last! The point? Aren't you amazed when you tell

somebody that you pitch horseshoes, and they say "I never knew anything like that existed?" We, (horseshoe pitchers, Charters, Clubs, and yes, the NHPA), simply have to DO SOMETHING, about our well-kept secret. Start with the basics! Make sure you're listed with parks and recreation, local Chamber of Commerce, etc. Get your club listed in an activities calendar, which appears in your local newspaper. It isn't safe to assume that "somebody has already done that". Maybe the information has been misplaced! Conduct an experiment in your area! Can you find horseshoe pitching? Comments, suggestions, stories of your search, etc., may be sent to NHPA Publicity Director Email kcslus@worldnet.att.net