The Sun Shines Again at Kissimmee
By Art Pasley
Last September, four hurricanes slammed into Florida, leaving Kissimmee resident's months of clearing and rebuilding. As you would expect, the Kissimmee St. Cloud Convention & Visitors Bureau was forced to cancel their annual C.A.S.T. event for disabled children in their area. I'm sure their were a lot of long faces, but probably not from canceling the C.A.S.T. event.
This year blue skies, plenty of sunshine and event host Abby Montpelier welcomed the excited participants as they arrived for a day of fun at the lake. Each child was provided a snack pack, rod and reel, tackle box, t-shirt and hat as they were paired with the very experienced anglers of Kissimmee St. Cloud, for a day on Lake Toho.
There is always something different at the Kissimmee event and this year was no exception. As I walked to the launch site, the chattering sound of Parrots filled the air. It took a while to see what was making all the racket because the parrots were a bright green, blending into the leaves on the trees. I have never seen parrots in the wild until now. Then there is the resident gator, cruising the shoreline looking for a hand out, or maybe a hand. If he is counting on me, then he will be looking for a long time!
As everyone returned to the pavilion, they were met by "Bananas the Clown". Bananas handed out balloon rods with fish dangling, and painted faces and arms on all the kids. A moon walk balloon was set up for jumping and playing and the Kissimmee Rotarians provided sausage dogs and burgers for all in attendance. Good Hot Dogs!
After a short presentation and recognition of past event host, the plaques were handed out to the children, by their boater captain for the day. "This is great", stated Florida fishing Legend and Master Captain Bill Whipple. "I had a wonderful time and my partner was the best"! He concluded. "I really had a lot of fun" stated several other boater captains as well as most of the children.
Once the awards were handed out, the children continued to play in the moon walk and laugh at stories of their day on the lake. Boater Captains headed off to load boats and what was once alive with laughter and excitement soon faded to a quite, serene lakeside pavilion, filled now with only memories of a Special day, with Special Children that for just a few hours were able to "Catch A Special Thrill"
If you plan to visit Florida and Disney World be sure to give the Kissimmee St. Cloud Convention and Visitors Bureau a call. If you want to experience the fishing trip of a lifetime, fishing the waters of Lake Toho or the Gulf, contact Master Captain Bill Whipple at www.laketohotackle.com for a trip you won't forget.
Thanks Abby, Wendy, Karen and all the volunteers, participants and boater captains for another great event in Kissimmee. You truly are "Special People"
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