by Jim Houck, Jr.
Sons of the American Legion Squadron 121 Annual Kids Fishing Derby
January 3, 2017, SAL Squadron 121 held its first meeting of the new year and knew it was time to discuss the Annual Kids Fishing Derby, because it would be coming up fast. It is always held on the first Sunday of June each year, but there is so much involved with the preparation for that day that we always need to start early.
The first thing we do is check our Kids Fishing Derby fund account and see how much money we have in it, and how much we need to solicit from our community. We need enough money to purchase the gifts for the gift tables, from which all kids registering may chose a prize, as well as the small bags of light tackle given to each kid when they register, the worms we furnish to the kids to fish with, the drinks, the hot dogs and buns (400), the snacks, the trophy’s (30) for the ten winners in each group, the fishing rods and reels (30) for the ten winners in each group, the tackle boxes (30) for the ten winners in each group, and the numerous other things to make sure the kids all have an enjoyable experience. This is all provided free of charge to the kids and their parents, guardians, and/or other members of their families that accompany them to the derby.
We, after checking the fund, decided that the community donors from the previous year had been very generous, and we would not solicit a donation from them this year. We contacted most of them and explained this and several of them wanted to contribute even after the explanation of why we were not collecting. We have some terrific people living in our community.
Yearly contributors to the Kids Fishing Derby are as follows; Blue Ridge Sportsman’s Club; Hobbs Trucking; Mountain Liquors, Inc.; New Bill’s Auto Body; E Plus Copy Center & Promotions; His Place, Inc.; Bollinger’s Restaurant; Beards Trash Service; Zurgable’s Hardware; Jubilee Foods; Thurmont Bar & Grill; R.S. Kinnaird Memorials; Hillside Turkey Farm; VFW Post 6658; VFW Post 6658 Auxiliary; Carleo’s Pizza; Bollinger Construction; Bollinger Homes; Eastpark Auto Parts; Stateline Gun Exchange; Thurmont Ambulance Co.; Vier’s Auto Repair; Main Street Upholstery; Weiss Market; Emmitsburg Glass Co.; Quality Tire Service; Total Look Hair Salon; Dave & Jane’s Crab House; Thurmont Auto Sales; Don’s Towing; Mare Boats Inc.; SAL Western MD District; Post 121 Veterans; Unit 121 Ladies Auxiliary; Stine’s Custom Cabinets; The Catoctin Banner; Kerry Shorb’s “My Father’s Footsteps”; Keilholtz Trucking; C.A. Stouter Transport LLC; Thurmont Feed Store; Shuff’s Meat Market; Tim’s Garage; Ott House Inc.; Emmitsburg Tattoo Co.; Sams Creek Port a Potties; Mountaingate Restaurant; Tommy West Foundation; Hobb’s Cycle Service; Kelco Plumbing & Refrigeration; Carriage House Inn; Gateway Inn; Holtzople Heating A/C; AMVETS Post 7; Sons of AMVETS Squadron 7; Ladies Auxiliary Unit 7; J&J Motoring; Emmitsburg Lions Club; Harrington’s Equipment; Tracy’s Auto Repair; The Palms; Welch’s Lawn Service; The Kline Family; Joanne’s Cut & Curl; W.S. Drywall Service; K of C Brute Council 1860; K of C Bishop Dubois Assy 3483; Emmitsburg Heritage Day; Critter Care by Greta; Melissa M. Wetzel CPA P.C.
We cannot thank these people enough for helping our kids—our future—enjoy a day set aside each year just for them to have fun.
The winners of this year’s (2017) Kids Fishing Derby: Ages 3-7 years: Wyatt Ridenour, Wesley Hay, Adeline Ridenour, Kaylin Norris, Savanah Phebus, Dustin Brooks, Kamdin Miller, Harper Strabed, Austin Anders, Cole Herriman; Ages 8-11 years: Kai Ridenour, Samantha Davis, Kalee Eyler, Conner Stahley, Hayden Sharrah, Brenden Eyler, Payton Cilloy, Austin Merritt, Blake Cool, Cory Bear; Age 12-15 years: Matt Cogan, Hallie Dawson, Marcus Miller, Caleb Mutchler, Kaylee Hall, Abigayle Bowley, Austin Sanders, Chloe Wantz, Wyatt Davis, Aidan Cottrell.
We, officers and members of Sons of the American Legion Squadron 121, put forth a lot of time and effort to try and make each kids fishing derby better than the last, because we think the kids in our community are worth it. We really appreciate our community sponsors and thank you again, because we couldn’t do it without you. We also want to thank all of our fantastic volunteers, who also make it possible—we also appreciate you more than we can express.
God bless the United States of America, God bless the American Veteran, God bless our children, and God bless you.
