Another perfect day at Lake Thunderbird!
By: Les Cummings
CAST For Kids Committee
Norman, Oklahoma
The 6th Annual CAST For Kids Fishing Derby kicked off at the Lake Thunderbird BoatHouse at 6am Saturday September 22, 2007. Members of the Thunderbird Sailing Club were already on site with the doors open, coffee on, and ready to help wherever they were needed before anyone arrived. The morning was perfect, just a slight breeze from the Southeast and a crystal clear sky welcoming a beautiful sunrise viewed from the BoatHouse, perfect fishing weather!
By 7am many of the volunteers were already signed in and the registration tables, pfds, tackle boxes, fishing worms, and rods/reels were being set up to greet the kids at their registration time of 8am. Juice, coffee, and delicious Krispy Kreme donuts were enjoyed by all. Fishermen were now streaming into the BoatHouse dock from all parts of Lake Thunderbird.
Roger Elliott, President of the Lake Thunderbird Educational Foundation, headed up the food prep duties this year along with able assistance from John Vallion of the Edmond Elks Lodge and Ed Shoemaker of the Thunderbird Sailing Club. They had the grill started soon after the kids left on their fishing trip around 8am and all the food was ready to go at 11:30.
The terrific 40' X 40' tent provided by Hudiburg Auto Group and the Ann Zarrow Children's Fund had been set up previously and the volunteers began setting up the tables and chairs to seat the approximate 125+ expected for lunch. The sound system was installed and tested, and all the terrific gifts were set up in order for the kids to select their favorite at the awards ceremony following lunch. Each fisherman was given a gift certificate provided by one of the following: H&H Marine, Nichols Marine, Academy Sports, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Sams Discount, and PF Chang's. Ron Stahl, Marketing Director for the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation was our MC and as usual, did a terrific job.
The fishermen and the kids started returning just prior to the appointed lunch time and of course many fishing stories were soon being told. Homeland Foods graciously provided most of the food for the event this year and we've already been told that they want to be involved again next year. Shane and the staff at the Norman Homeland Foods Store did a terrific job by having the food ready for pickup on Friday afternoon and early Saturday morning.
Following the awards ceremony and the introduction of each fisherman and child, we had the traditional photo-op in front of the BoatHouse. The festivities ended this year with Les Cummings leading three boisterous Hip Hip Hoorays for Ron Stahl, our MC.
The volunteers representing many organizations did another terrific job this year. From registration, setup, cooking, serving, to final cleanup, they made the event a success for the children. We missed CAST director Art Pasley this year as he was busy at another CAST event but he made sure the rods/reels, tackle boxes, hats, shirts, etc. were delivered on time and ready to go. Hopefully, he'll be back with us again next year.
Finally, we thank the local CAST committee consisting of Susan Hendon, Thunderbird State Park Manager, Jeff Tompkins, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Dr. Chad Cox and Les Cummings both of the Lake Thunderbird Educational Foundation for planning and executing such a terrific CAST for Kids event. The local committee has worked for many months contacting kids, boaters, donors, volunteers, and sponsors. Their hard work, dedication, and organizational skills make this event such a joy for all.
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