Lifestyle, Time, Money, the Southern, and Parker shotguns

[Ian Civco]

Okay, I’m jealous…

https://www.southernsidebyside.com/

How do you all do this? It’s a lifestyle, for sure.

The comraderie, meet good folks, hang out with old friends, handle nice shotguns, perhaps buy one or a few.

And it’s not just this event, but several throughout the year.

It seems to me it’s conducive to being retired after having a well above average income throughout one’s career.

The problems I have are good luck getting any appreciable time off from work these days, when you do, the wife won’t have fun at something like the southern, not to mention the costs of getting and staying there, and, being I’m still working, I’m probably younger than many on this forum and never experienced the appreciable wage growth of some of our older members.

Which means attending several events of the year is out of the question as is purchasing a handful of fine Parkers at these events.

[Clark McCombe]

My first time. A few years ago it would have been unimaginable to take the better part of a week for something like the Southern.
But I reached a point with health and other obligations that I thought it was about time to do something I really had interest in before it’s too late.
You’ll wake up one day with your decision made and will join us in Sanford.
Until then enjoy the weekend vicariously - there will be plenty of updates here:)

[Daryl Corona]

I've been going to these events long before I retired. I started when I was in my 50's, self employed and when I didn't work I didn't get paid. But the lifelong friends I made are worth it. YMMV.

[Bill Murphy]

Many of our members, like myself, were raised in an atmosphere of outdoor sports, and fun with guns, regardless of our financial lot in life. We started low on the totem pole, progressing to a better position, but at all points, having an interest in blood sports and guns. Interest in Parker shotguns is a natural high point of such a lifestyle. By the way, The Lovely Linda has attended the Southern with me every time I have attended after the first year. On our last visit, she even purchased a shotgun.

[Mike Koneski]

I started attending when I was 49 or 50 and self-employed, such as Daryl. The only Southern I missed was because it was canceled by the Plandemic. Sammy was with me there the second year I attended. She’s been back home since because someone has to run the desk. :cool: She’s been to the Fall Southern twice. She will be attending the Spring Southern when we have operational changes here at The Rock.

It’s amazing how when you see the various events you can compete in just how quickly your double gun collection grows! :eek:

[Ian Civco]

Well, now I don’t feel so bad.

It seems like many of you ARE in your 50s, or nearly so, or were at least that old before attending.

I’m in my mid 50s. Events such as these will have to wait until I retire. Hopefully within a few years. Let’s say I look forward to meeting you there and making new friends circa 2030.

I bring up the lifestyle thing, as it’s a way of life. One I don’t have, at least yet.

When I was younger, I stupidly and very naively believed I was attending college to get a job that probably doesn’t exist anymore, and maybe never did. To support a lifestyle of events such as these, flyfishing, time outdoors, etc, and somehow you do all that, which takes up most of your time, and surrounding that you have a job that supports all that and then some.

I never envisioned working so much and having so little time for other pursuits, not to mention a salary, which in my case, is okay, but not over the top.

I did work for a family while in college doing landscaping and the son seemed to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Grouse hunting in Scotland, etc, every year. Didn’t really seem to ever work. Sadly, I think he may not have anywhere the funds he once did.

[Paul Ehlers]

The southern has always been on my want list of things to do, but it seems there is always some sort of priority conflict with making it happen.

Back when I was working. I only had a few weeks of vacation time and had to make the decisions between taking a week to travel to Sanford or spend that money & time to have a week with my dogs & buddies chasing upland birds in the Dakotas or Montana. Then for years I was in group who shared a block of tables at the spring Tulsa show & it was to close in schedule to the spring southern that attending it fell down the priority list between the two passions.

The trade-off was, I still walked & talked the Parker life and have no regrets about the decisions I made.

Now that I'm retired, there is always something that prevents me from dedicating the time & money to justify making the trip from Denver to the east coast due to some family issues with taking care of my 95yr old mother.

Who knows--Maybe someday you'll see my ugly mug in Sanford. I know I'd sure like to shake some hands and put some faces to names in this great group of Parker people!

[Ian Civco]

The southern has always been on my want list of things to do, but it seems there is always some sort of priority conflict with making it happen.

Back when I was working. I only had a few weeks of vacation time and had to make the decisions between taking a week to travel to Sanford or spend that money & time to have a week with my dogs & buddies chasing upland birds in the Dakotas or Montana. Then for years I was in group who shared a block of tables at the spring Tulsa show & it was to close in schedule to the spring southern that attending it fell down the priority list between the two passions.

The trade-off was, I still walked & talked the Parker life and have no regrets about the decisions I made.

Now that I'm retired, there is always something that prevents me from dedicating the time & money to justify making the trip from Denver to the east coast due to some family issues with taking care of my 95yr old mother.

Who knows--Maybe someday you'll see my ugly mug in Sanford. I know I'd sure like to shake some hands and put some faces to names in this great group of Parker people!

You mention when you were working you only had a few weeks off. My dilemma as well. My wife and I only get three weeks off a year. Of course, I could make one of those weeks the Southern. Except my wife wouldn’t go for it, as she would be bored there plus that leaves less time off to do other things that both of us enjoy.

Retirement can’t come soon enough!

I should state that I don’t know why I would somehow miraculously have this career that would allow me to do whatever I wanted to when I wanted to as everyone in my family sure worked long hours for many years. For me, the concept of a second home for vacations and the time to do all that is a most foreign concept, among other things.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Well I have missed the Southern the last three years, moving and the sell of the mountain house still unpacking here in Mt Airy, Issues with my wifes health so I will not be there this year either, maybe next year? The computor helps keep me in the loop so to speak about what is happening. The Southern is by far the best venue in the southeast if you like side by sides this is the one to be at Gary

[matt koepnick]

I was 65 and working on our first trip to southern. We had a blast. Met quite a few nice people and venders. Next years trip there I was retired , not by choice due to un announced buy out, and was a little disappointed. We haven't made the trip since for one reason or another despite more free time. Funds are 2/3 less than old life style and try to justify any expenditures including doubles purchases.
On top of all that our local Club of over 20 years membership has tried to close. They are currently working thru all new Board members and looking at options to stay open. Really looking like Clays for me as a sport, is dying a slow lingering death. It was my long term goal and the retirement hobby which I financially planned out for years to be able enjoy it till I was at least 80... Then Life happened. Wife got sick. Job was bought out with a forced retirement. Maybe next year we'll travel back down again to try Southern .
Mattly

[Dean Romig]

Well I have missed the Southern the last three years, moving and the sell of the mountain house still unpacking here in Mt Airy, Issues with my wifes health so I will not be there this year either, maybe next year? The computor helps keep me in the loop so to speak about what is happening. The Southern is by far the best venue in the southeast if you like side by sides this is the one to be at Gary

I can certainly relate to all of that Gary. I’m 77 and I know you and several others have me beat by a score of years but the desire is always there. I started going to the southern with Kathy back in about 2007 and she liked it almost as much as I did. Wonderful new friendships were made - the education I received - the associations we were introduced to - everything was exceptional and I would never trade these experiences for anything.
Then I lost my job (downsized) and at 66 I decided I was now retired and still had a mortgage over our heads. So what did I do?… I sold my two best Parkers to pay it off. Then Kathy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and suffered with it for close to 7 years before she passed in 2022.
Many unexpected things in our lives put a halt to the good times so we can’t wait for opportunities to present themselves - we need to actually MAKE the time for the things we want to do. CARPE DIEM my friends!!
Dorothy, my new love, and I went to the Southern two years ago but we need to make decisions these days based on budgetary constraints. Dorothy loved the Southern and truly wants to go again but for this year we will focus on enjoying some time with friends at Hausmann’s.





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[Garry L Gordon]

I can’t help but recall the line from a Sparse Grey Hackle story, “The trout don’t rise in Greenwood Cemetery.” I’ve taken that notion to heart throughout my life.

[Reggie Bishop]

There are many levels of Parker collecting that fit all budgets. You don’t have to be a high income earner to enjoy them. Just find your sweet spot and enjoy.

[randall rosenthal]

There are many levels of Parker collecting that fit all budgets. You don’t have to be a high income earner to enjoy them. Just find your sweet spot and enjoy.

Thats for sure!

I spent my whole adult life going here and there and meeting great people .....just not about shotguns. If I got interested sooner I’m sure that would have happened also. As it is just joining this site has had a very profound effect on my life. And my aim.

[CraigThompson]

The first time I visited the Southern I left home drove thirty minutes to a small local airport met two folks and flew down in a six passenger plane took about an hour as there’s a small airport within three miles of Deep River . After landing we borrowed a hospitality car drove over stayed 4-5 hours drove back got in the plane and flew home . That was back before the crud of 2020 I think 2016 or 17 . Went the first time to stay overnight in 2021 . That first time was a bit over whelming to say the least .

[Craig Larter]

Life. has many twists and turns. I was not born into money, I made my own way. I was able to retire at 50 and I'm now 75 and comfortable. I've had my share of hard times, no one escapes. My wife had a life long illness and past away in 2022. I get my strength from my interactions with other like minded people. I have many friends in the dog world, duck hunting friends, gardening friends, decoy and duck call collecting friends etc. But most of all I enjoy vintage sxs gun collecting and shooting and the people in that world. My wife loved attending all the big sxs shoots and helping with the Fox table during the early days. She was a people person. In the evening I would review the day in the guns I had encountered, my wife would tell me about all the girls she met accompanying there spouse. She would know the families full history LOL!

[Dave Noreen]

Once upon a time my father's boss couldn't give him time off for Elk season, so Dad quit and went Elk hunting. That adjusted my mind set. While I never went to The Southern when I lived in Virginia, I did make all but the very first Vintage Cup.

[Pete Lester]

I'll just leave this philosophical meme here for one to ponder.

[Paul Ehlers]

I'll just leave this philosophical meme here for one to ponder.

I'll add to this one.

"I've never seen a Hearst pulling a gun safe"

Enjoy the time you have, the people you love and the things that stir passion in you.

[Andrew Sacco]

I'm 60 and still working more than I care to. But, now that I have an income to buy most of what I need and want, I find that I really don't want or need it. I have a dozen Parkers, the highest grade being a GH. I have a love affair with 16's. That suits me just fine as they all shoot and I carry them (and hunt most of them hard) with PRIDE. I can't make the Southern this year, missed Mikes event last year, and sometimes it's not about the money at all but more about the time. I'd say if you had a choice between buying another gun or attending an event, a wiser use of funds is attending an event. I know there are folks that share rooms to keep costs down. Good luck and may your barrels be straight and true...

[Jay Oliver]

I think you do have to carve out the time an make it a priority…easier said than done.

Of all the events, the timing of the Southern just works with my schedule. By the time June comes around I am in boat mode and while I will shoot clays locally on occasion in the summer I am really not the Parker addict I am in the winter/spring.

I am usually traveling from the Northeast. I’ll take Thursday and Friday off then work a full day on Wednesday and drive at least half the way that night. Show up around 10ish on Thursday morning. I will leave around 1 or 2 on Saturday and drive straight home, I will get in late, but have all day Sunday with my family.

That gives me time to:


Shoot each of the 3 days I am there(usually with friends)
Go to the Parker Banquet Dinner on Friday night
Pick up and drop off guns that need work
Check out guns that I never get to see(ask questions and learn)
Catch up with people on the forum and others
Leave looking forward to next year


A great experience for just taking 2 days off work!

On the original question about having money to buy Parkers. I have found that a Parker doesn’t have to be a high grade gun to make me smile. It is easy for me to fall in love with just about any hammer gun. I like twist and stub twist barrels. I don’t believe you need a lot of money to find a lower grade gun your proud of and use a lot.

I don’t like a gun that is so nice I am afraid to use it. Both in grade and/or condition. I have had those, used them once or twice and then sold them 3-5 years later because they were just sitting in the safe. I do have a few higher grades that I cherish and use that I planned/budgeted for and I would call most of them keepers. Though I think I would surprise a lot of folks if I listed the few guns in my collection that would be the last to go.

So to the OP I think this “addiction” can be reasonable if you find out what works for you and get creative when you need to.

[mikeschneider]

I don’t have many fine guns (any, actually), nor do I
attend any of these events, like the Southern, but I bet I’d love them! I spend my time and $ birdhunting, as that is my priority…I am afield out of state 50 days, +\-, plus a lower # in my home state. Between the birds, and the country they live in, plus the dogs and the guns, I can’t get enough! I traveled to my SD hunting camp yesterday, hanging there now with the dogs, and hanging with my farmer pals. My mobility and overall health is my prized asset, but I realize it’s all temporary. I’m all for enjoying this ride, whatever turns your crank!

[Michael Moffa]

I had rooms set aside in January and was planning to go until March became the Vigil of the Kidney Stone. The previous year it was the Pretty Wife's 60th birthday. Went the year before and gave out hats. Missed a couple due to the plandemic and being fired/retired from job. Next year for sure.

Spin

[Randy G Roberts]

I had rooms set aside in January and was planning to go until March became the Vigil of the Kidney Stone. The previous year it was the Pretty Wife's 60th birthday. Went the year before and gave out hats. Missed a couple due to the plandemic and being fired/retired from job. Next year for sure.

Spin

Those were darn nice hats if I say so myself Sir. Wear mine on a regular basis.

[John Davis]

In the words of my good friend Destry, “Life is short and you’re dead an awful long time.”

[Ed Blake]

My first Southern was 2007. I live close enough that I made it a day trip for Friday so I took a day off work. To say it was sensory overload is an understatement. Next year I took my middle son, who at 12 was into anything with a shotgun. We will be there again this week throwing more lead in the air at the Parker Challenge. I’m lucky that my kids still like to hang out with me.

[JAMES HALL]

My first Southern was 2007. I live close enough that I made it a day trip for Friday so I took a day off work. To say it was sensory overload is an understatement. Next year I took my middle son, who at 12 was into anything with a shotgun. We will be there again this week throwing more lead in the air at the Parker Challenge. I’m lucky that my kids still like to hang out with me.

Mr Blake look me up got something for you. Benjamin is heading down also so we can go back in time together on this one.

[Ian Civco]

Question for some of you folks, especially the retired ones. And, I suppose that it will vary tremendously, based on individual circumstances. How does the retired lifestyle fit in with collecting fine shotguns, etc? I’d be perfectly happy with that really nice VH being offered at the Southern at $1800–it has me drooling—but I fear retirement might make the acquisition of an $1800 shotgun a bit of an accomplishment, let alone the higher end stuff that is rare and has condition.

It seems that retirement is a trade off. You now have the time but your means are more limited being on a fixed income.

I think this thread was created as I approach retirement and am a bit disappointed in myself. I’ve done okay, so I’m not seeking pity, but I went to college thinking I’m doing this for the peach corporate job that provides for everything—think Madison Avenue and Gene Hill and Ed Zern. Much to my surprise, my newly minted—and now seriously patinated—college degree never yielded a corporate job at all, and, right out of college, it became painfully obvious, at least at first, that I was worth little more than minimum wage. My fault entirely, but I had no idea how COMPETITIVE the real world was. I guess I figured I would waltz in the door and work with a bunch of like minded individuals, a work environment that shut down for the Southetn and other similar events and we wandered back into work, shared some good stories, brandy, and passed around our new haul of fine shotguns to admire.

I think if such a lifestyle ever existed, it couldn’t survive in today’s day and age, not to mention having alcohol and firearms at work is a fast ticket to getting fired in today’s day and age.

Craig Larter shared that he’s been retired now 25 years, having retired at age 50 and not coming from money. Well done! And, I’m guessing to do that he formed a successful company from the ground up. I think that is what it takes to do this, and he likely had a vision, something I didn’t have, and founded a company despite not coming from money and probably worked very long hours doing so.

But I’m also pleased to see that everyone on this forum isn’t able to drop everything and go to the forum and return with a bunch of high dollar shotguns. So, I’m by no means unique. But I actually stated that in a wrong manner, as I’m not really pleased to see this in an absolute sense as, as I get older, life is precious, and it’s disappointing we all can’t drop everything several times a year and do this, and not worry about how much leave we have left the remainder of the year and how the funds we spent on fine shotguns might impact the bottom line once we retire.

And, this should be no surprise to me. Most of my older family members and associates didn’t magically hit retirement and transition into a life of expensive trips, fine acquisitions, and no financial concerns. Some were certainly “comfortable” but nothing was over the top.

[Pete Lester]

It seems that retirement is a trade off. You now have the time but your means are more limited being on a fixed income.



Ian I don't think anyone can answer this for you. However, you forgot to add a third variable, your health and your mobility. The risk you may still be alive, have a pile of money and not be able to enjoy much of anything.

Go back and look at the meme I posted, each of us has to find a comfortable balance between money and time. We all face the risk of running out of one or the other or both. Retirement is really a question of do you believe you have really good odds that you can be both secure and content with what you have and what you can do before time runs out.

For me the main reason I am not going to the Southern is I just don't feel like making such a long trip requiring me to skirt through several heavily congested areas. I am content with just going to Hausmann's which is much closer to me and much nicer drive.

Good luck to you going forward. Perhaps this will help with your decisions around retirement. I have been a member of this forum for around 25 years and found helpful information in it along the way.

https://www.early-retirement.org/

[Ian Civco]

Ian I don't think anyone can answer this for you. However, you forgot to add a third variable, your health and your mobility. The risk you may still be alive, have a pile of money and not be able to enjoy much of anything.

Go back and look at the meme I posted, each of us has to find a comfortable balance between money and time. We all face the risk of running out of one or the other or both. Retirement is really a question of do you believe you have really good odds that you can be both secure and content with what you have and what you can do before time runs out.

For me the main reason I am not going to the Southern is I just don't feel like making such a long trip requiring me to skirt through several heavily congested areas. I am content with just going to Hausmann's which is much closer to me and much nicer drive.

Good luck to you going forward. Perhaps this will help with your decisions around retirement. I have been a member of this forum for around 25 years and found helpful information in it along the way.

https://www.early-retirement.org/

Thank you for the link!

For me, it’s simply a matter of living within my means, which I will do, but, hopefully, there will be enough to do a fair amount of fun stuff along the way. If there isn’t, so be it. But, that would be a disappointment.

I’m definitely not going to work until a grizzled old age—I want out of the rat race. I have somewhat of an idea what I’ll get in retirement and it’s LESS than I am getting now, but then I’m not saving for retirement anymore as well. (What a stupid idea it was to move away from pensions and towards workers saving for their retirement in 401ks!). The variables are how much will my retirement funds increase over time and will that be enough to account for inflation.

I think around the year 2030 I’ll make it to the Southern. How many years after that depends on funds and health, I suppose. And, admittedly, I’m not a particularly good shot—a combination of too many hours at work and not enough time on the skeet field and being right handed and left eye dominant.

[Scott Smith]

Learn to shoot left-handed. It’s not that difficult.

[Keith Sirmans]

Oh wow who had the shooting shirts there? I like the Yellow one

[Victor Wasylyna]

Okay, I’m jealous…

https://www.southernsidebyside.com/

How do you all do this? It’s a lifestyle, for sure.

The comraderie, meet good folks, hang out with old friends, handle nice shotguns, perhaps buy one or a few.

And it’s not just this event, but several throughout the year.

It seems to me it’s conducive to being retired after having a well above average income throughout one’s career.

The problems I have are good luck getting any appreciable time off from work these days, when you do, the wife won’t have fun at something like the southern, not to mention the costs of getting and staying there, and, being I’m still working, I’m probably younger than many on this forum and never experienced the appreciable wage growth of some of our older members.

Which means attending several events of the year is out of the question as is purchasing a handful of fine Parkers at these events.

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered: "Man! Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.

- Victor

[Steven Groh]

I’m not a particularly good shot—a combination of too many hours at work and not enough time on the skeet field and being right handed and left eye dominant.

Look into a dot matrix made with a sharpie on the left lens. That is what a friend who is both an ophthalmologist and a Master class shooter does.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Andy and I share the same occupation, but at 71 I only work 2 days per week, and not because I need to.
I didn't go to the Southern either. It always falls during my birthday and my son Jeremy asked if we could go turkey hunting that day and then fishing after. Called in a big gobbler and Jeremy got him with my old 870 and load of TSS 9s. Most know that I'm a hunter more than a shooter, I have about 6 weeks of hunting trips already planned for this year God willing, and thinking about a Sept sharptail.hunt. Andy, I think I have 11 , 16 gauges, but now
kinda prefer 20s, been hunting for a Trojan 20 shooter.
My favorite shoot has always been Hausmann's, Ernie and I have know each other since the late 1980, but Mike's shoot is also a great time, hope to make both this year.

[Mike Franzen]

I’ll never forget visiting my uncle in the hospital while he was recovering from a stroke about 15 years ago. He was my hunting buddy from the time I was a very young boy. We were talking about hunting and he was asking me when I was going to go again. I started making the usual excuses about time and money. He looked at me and said, “ You better stop putting things off or you’re going to regret it.” I decided right then I was going to start saying YES instead of making excuses. Once I made that decision it seemed the universe aligned with what I truly wanted and my life just took off. Have the courage to say yes!

[Jerry Harlow]

I retired at 62, received a package to get rid of me and I couldn't be happier. Now eight years later at almost 71 and due to a brainless urologist that let cancer grow in me for a decade and the subsequent treatment, I get up and go hunting turkeys every day at 5 a.m. now as if I was a teenager. I watch the clouds go by and pretend I am still young. I tell people I'm in the ninth inning with two outs but the game isn't over until the last one. Yes I could have worked until now, had seniority over everyone, thirty-seven holidays and vacation days, a larger retirement income, but no one can tell me I can't have off. I quit to do what I wanted to do. Would have been at the Southern this year but the two guys who go with me said they have enough guns. They missed the point but the one guy was an artilleryman in Vietnam and says the continual firing gets to him. I can understand that. I still buy guns, fix them, hunt with them a couple of times,and put them away. But using a gun that was in the family or just a hundred plus year old gun is therapy.