ON THE WATYER FOR DECEMBER (2007)

ON THE WATER FOR DECEMBER          ( 2007 )

 

As the year draws to a close, it always puts me in a reflective frame of mind >><< even when the guy on the radio is telling me to “Put Rocks in My Pockets” because this weekend is going to bring us a “Rip Snort’er” of a Storm. I have been getting things ready for the Weather Event & reflecting on Saturdays Big Annual Civil War Football Game.

 

Then I found an article on the Sports Page of today’s (11/30/07) Oregonian about Big Fish Hill’s Son…Brandon >><< What you will see is Brandon & a Friend standing on a burned out Iraqi Tank with their respective Ducks & Beavers Flags on display. Now it doesn’t take much to put life in perspective, storms included, when you see 2 fine young men like these 2 guys “Doing Good & Avoiding Evil” in Iraq. I am sure they would happily trade places with us in a “Philadelphia Minute” !!! …….. So I want to dedicate this column to All of our young Men & Women, serving in our Armed Forces, who will not be home with us for the Storm, the Football Game or the Christmas Season……...Let’s continue to keep them in our prayers.

 

Now let’s take a quick look at NOVEMBER………..We are honored & pleased to announce that you all supported the re-election of all of the Current Club Officers for another year of service to all of you fine Club Members. Special recognition goes out to all of the Fish Trappers servicing the Siletz & Schooner Creek Traps. You may have heard we found our 1^st Coho Salmon in the Schooner Creek Trap just a couple of days ago…That’s a good sign that the fish are starting to move. Sure hope you had a nice Thanksgiving….We finished up the last of the Turkey just yesterday…….None too soon !!!     

 

DECEMBER brings its own baggage……..The “Trick” is to avoid getting caught up in the Consumer Vortex & stay focused on the Human Aspects of the Holiday Season………Remind me to tell you about a really nice lady, Mrs. Audrey McCall before I close the column.

 

As I mentioned earlier, the 1^st of the month is the “Civil War” Football Game….Then comes our Fun Breakfast Meeting followed by some Habitat (Tree Planting) Enhancement on Schooner Creek.  Our 2007 Salmon Derby will be closing this month & Surveyor Dudley’s Fish Catch Records show only 6 Salmon caught this season. Dave Dinsmoor caught 1 & Kevin McCarthy caught the other 5 fish. We will present the Salmon Club Winner for 2007 at our 3 January 2008 Breakfast Meeting…..Right now it’s looking like another McCarthy Year !!!   

 

Then we celebrate our Annual Christmas Party >><< This year we are pleased to recognize Electric Bill Furgason as our 2007 Joe Longo Award Recipient. We have invited Joe’s Daughter, Mrs. Michele Longo Eder, to join us again to present this year’s award. Please join us for this fun Social EOY Event & give Electric Bill your personal “Att’a Boy” for all of his many contributions to our Fishing Club this year. Kathy will also be with us & she deserves an “Att’a Girl” for being such a Wonderful Lady & Fisherman’s Wife to Bill…..Some additional Good news…...We are holding out hope that Jeannine (aka, 2 Hip Roederer) will be able to join us for our Christmas Party……She is doing “Just Dandy” after her 2^nd Hip Surgery, maybe our prayers did some good !!!         

 

In closing…….I am sure you all remember Gov. Tom McCall……..He’s the man who had made it possible for us all to walk freely on our Beautiful Ocean Beaches. Well, Old Tom was blessed to have a very fine Lady in his life…….None other than his Wife, Mrs. Audrey McCall. Tom passed several years ago & I am sad to tell you Audrey, at the wonderful age of 92 years young, has also recently passed. God Bless you both……

 

It makes you appreciate what a few good folks can do to make things a little better for us all……If we look around among our good neighbors, here in Longview Hills, you can find similar people……Why, I can count at least 5 folks without even trying too hard. That kind of gets us into the True Spirit of the Holiday Season.

 

 Mary & I want to wish each of you a Very Happy Holiday Season & a Wonderful New Year >><< We cherish all of the Blessings we enjoy being surrounded by Good Caring Family, Friends & Neighbors like You All……..Not just at Christmas, but All Year Long……..

 

Well……..That’s the Top of the News as it looks from here >><< Hope to see you “On the Water”………         THE HOOK