By Staff
I wanted to write in and let you know how much we appreciate all of the articles you have written recently about the Kids/Senior Citizens fishing day was held Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008. This year we again broke the 200 mark for attendance by the children. We had 223 children to register to fish on Saturday. Not quite as good as last year, but a great turn out. The Senior Citizens that come to fish were around 30 to 40. Not as many of them as I was hoping for, but they all seemed to have a good time.
This year we were not able to put as many catfish in the pond as we normally do. With the change in temperature the catfish did not cooperate. We put 1,200 pounds in the pond and the Fuqua's also brought us some of the tilapia and put them in there as well.
It takes a lot to put this event on each year and we have to give those responsible the credit they are due. First off, Jefferson Davis Community College. They allow us to use their pond and open the doors to their building so that we have access to the bathrooms. Without the use of the pond we would have to find another place to have the event that would be as convenient as the College. Off the top of my head, I cannot think of another place that would be as convenient.
Fuqua Fish Farm has been an important part of this program from day one. They have always provided us the catfish at a very good price. They have, over the years, given us extra fish and have tagged fish as prizes and provided the prize money if the fish were caught.
Gulf Coast RC&D in Bay Minette has, for the past two years, graciously approved our grant request and given funds to be used for this event.
BankTrust, First Progressive Bank, Bank of Brewton, Cedar Creek Land and Timber, Weyerhaeuser of Castleberry, Brewton Kiwanis Club, Walmart of Brewton, the Escambia County Baptist Association and Southern Pine Electric Cooperative. All of these made contributions that made purchasing the catfish, the drinks, the snacks, chips, hot dogs, the rod and reel combos and additional tackle to be used to re-rig the rods when they got broken off.
The Alabama Game and Fish Department office out of Spanish Fort brings us 50 rods and reels each year to be used by those who don't have a rod and reel.
Pic N Sav of Brewton donated the chicken livers we used for bait. The Brewton Standard and the Tri-City Ledger both wrote articles before the event and after. WEBJ and WKNU both were announcing the event before it took place. Getting the word out about the event makes a difference in who finds out about the event.
The Escambia County Cooperative Extension System, Buck Farrior and Bo Owens are instrumental in getting the registration tickets out to all of the schools in Escambia County. The ladies that work out there with them also for all of the work they do in getting the tickets run off or whatever Buck or Bo need to them to do.
Last, but not least, we had Dale Westmoreland and Lance Youngblood from jay, Fla., who fish with us that came to help as well as my wife, Sharon, Danny Parker, his wife, Karen, who was at home cooking all of the hot dogs, Jerry and Stacey Aaron. Bo Owens took care of the registration of the children and took pictures as well. Also a big help this year was Sam Adams from Alco Baptist Church.
At lot of time and effort goes into this event to make it a success and the people who help are very important. The next time you visit one of the sponsors of this event, please be sure to tell them how much you appreciate the event this year.
We are already looking toward next year and have some ideas about making the event even better. One project involves some work that needs to be done to the pond. If you would like to be involved in this project, please contact me for more information.
God bless, tight lines, bent rods and bent knees,
Allen Couch
Alabama South Director
Fishers of Men Ministries