Page 4

Anticipation builds
as year's first trip
to island draws near

vin and Viola Taylor of Charlotte; and brother, Douglas E. Taylor of Indian Trail.
Memorials may be made to the Jerry W. Taylor Biology Trust Fund at North Mecklenburg High School, Old Statesville Road, Huntersville, N.C. 28078.
William Carlie Willis, who ran the ferry to the North Dock for more than 20 years, took many club members over to Davis Island for their first trip. He died June 21 at his home in Carteret County. Carlie was 80.
Carlie also ran a fish, which now included Cabins 1-10.
He served in the US Coast Guard and the US Coast Guard Reserve during World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Geraldine Willis; a daughter and her husband,
Sue and Fernie Willis, Davis; a daughter-in-law, Linda P. Willis; a sister,
Edna Davis, Davis; five grandchildren, Bernie Willis, Judy Goodwin, Beth
Willis and her husband, James, Linda Carol Fulcher and Jason Neal Willis;
and two great-grandchildren.

Welcome to the latest DIFF Club members: Benita Braswell of Goldsboro, David Conley of Raleigh, Bill Harris of Kitty Hawk, David Hill of Winston-Salem, Bill Hoffner of Cleveland, Robert McDuffie of Rock Hill, SC, Richard Odom, Jr., of Rock Hill, SC, and Charlie and Chuck Workman of Rock Hill, SC.

  It is spring, and our thoughts turn to fishing.  I am leaving in a few hours for the work trip. The bags are packed and the adrenaline is starting to flow. Twenty-five years ago I had no idea that I would be looking forward to this day with such anticipation.  Surely, many of you find similar feelings as you embark on your trips to the Island, especially the first trip each year. 
I am looking forward to the work trip. It will be good to refurbish Les and Sally's place.  It is always good to work with 'old' good friends, and to make new friends in the process. To share a few meals, and, of course, the stories of yesterday are equally meaningful.
I am most appreciative for Frank Long and Tom Monaco putting together the details for the work trip. I am sure that others have helped them, but at this time I do not know who. To all of you, THANKS!  Our club has many gifted and talented people who really love Davis Island. For
years under the leadership of DIFF members, like Frank and Tom,  the work trips have all been very successful.
The work trips are one of our major annual undertakings. If you have not been on a trip, try joining us next year.
Enjoy your days on the Island, help to improve the Islands resources, and be considerate of others. God has surely given us a wonderful place to fish.

Memberships expiring
Check the date on your mailing label. If it says 7/31/98, that means your membership is about to expire.
Please fill out the membership form on the back page and send it with the $20 annual dues to DIFF, P.O. Box 531, Pineville, N.C. 28134.
Gentle reminder letters will be mailed during the first couple of weeks in July to those who haven't renewed their memberships.
Members who renewed earlier in the year are good until July 1999.