President's Letter
This year's DIFF Surf Fishing Tournament was a good one.
Enough fish caught and a lot of fellowship. It was good to see a lot of new faces, and many of the regulars who, like myself, look forward to the annual fellowship. I say fellowship 'cause I just don't seem to catch many fish anymore. Seems like my time was spent helping someone with a problem like removing a radiator, changing a tire a fuel filter or the like.
We should all be proud of our board and the work they did to have everything just right. Jack Davis conducted a good tournament. He reports all went well. Mark Weir, our next year's tournament director, assisted with the weigh-in and, along with J. W. Smith helped award the prize money. We received a lot of positive input on J.W.'s idea of a prize for the red drum weighing closest to 7.2 pounds. You'll see that, or a similar category, in the future. Next year's tournament director is thinking about a prize called the "Tournament Director's Prize". Mark will have to tell you about that.
Helen Wynberry and Jim Gaither did a good job with the give-away prizes. We are expecting even more next year.
Jack Dunaway was responsible for arranging the excellent meal of barbeque which we all enjoyed.
Thanks to Roger Wise for helping with the awards ceremony. You'll be seeing more of him.
Due to rain I missed this year's bluegrass jam session at cabin 10.
I understand Riley
put on a fine
show. We are fortunate to have someone of his talent that we can enjoy.
I
was mighty proud of the presentation of a heart defibrillator for use at the
Great Island Camp. When I announced this, while standing on the steps, I
could see the expressions on the faces in the crowd that it was well received.
An article, along with a picture, was published in the Carteret New-Times.
A news release was also sent to the Winston Salem Journal.
Our club is well
received and recognized for its accomplishments. With the DIFF Club web
page managed by Tom Dunaway, we are reaching many people. As issues come
forth, the club will be speaking for a lot of people. Major issues for the
time being seem to be on hold. However, sometime in the future, ORV and
other issues will have to be addressed.
I was pleased that Bob Vogel, Park
Superintendent, was able to speak at the tournament. We look forward to
working with him and the Park Service to address issues that affect us all.
Try
to attend the Annual Membership meeting in Pineville on Feb 22nd and the annual
work week in the spring...it's a lot of fun and fellowship! Director Mike
Laughlin has taken on the responsibility of the DIFF Newsletter. If you
have any news of interest to the club, I'm sure he is receptive to receiving it.
B
K Barringer Jr,
DIFF Club President
Page 4