Our 20th Anniversary Picnic Recap

[Scott McKee]

I won’t have space in next month’s issue for a full picnic report, so here is the Web version:

Arriving late (not so fashionably (I’m never very fashionable (I refer to my daily attire as fat-guy chic))) at our 20th Anniversary Picnic, I noticed there was already a decent number of members in attendance.  I then realized I usually get to these events early.  Either way, we had a very good turn-out.

We had a bunch of very helpful members show up early (on time really) to help Jojo set up.  Chris Kempf and John Jarosz were eager at Beaver to make sure Jojo didn’t have to unload his traveling kitchen by himself.  Frank Stachowiak, looking very much like a Ghostbuster with his leaf blower, cleaned the shelter and even made the boys omelets!  I think Frank secretly dreams of being a short order cook.  Thanks, guys!  You are amazing!

Jojo was hard at work preparing lunch, but he found the time to walk over to the marina parking lot to help me carry the cooler which contained our sausages and my dish to pass, pop and water.  Jojo is amazing!

Lunch is always the highlight of the picnic (or any day really), and this year’s spread was a good one.  We had all of the usual picnic items including musky chili.  This year’s version was anniversary chili, so I assume it contained bits of chili from 20 years of chilies.  Either way it was awesome.  Chili is amazing!

The dishes and desserts our members brought, though not as ample as some years, where all really good.  There were cheesy potatoes, taco dips, chips, meat salads, fruit, cookies, brownies, and some sort of whipped crème fruit concoction that was really damn good.  Whoever brought this wins my dessert of the year honors.  Funky desserts are amazing!

There were a bunch of kids in attendance, which always makes for a great picnic.  They had fun smashing the piñata, pulling raffle tickets (more like spinning the drum), casting, winning prizes and generally just being kids.  Kids are amazing!

The raffle table was our best ever at a picnic.  Amazing job, Mike Fortunate!  There were three rods, a T’s tackle bump board, a slew of lures and a great collection of non-fishing items.  I even wanted to win some of the non-fishing items on the table!  I must be getting soft in my old age.  Jamie Fortunate and Veronica Kitchen deserve a great deal of thanks for their bargain hunting prowess, and Dawna Kitchen deserves a big thank you for selling the raffle tickets!  Thank you ladies!  You are amazing!

After the raffle, we held the adult casting contest.  Eight men and one lady participated.  Forget Jack, we have back-to-back Jill!  In the third round Carrie Keane defended her casting crown by sinking the toothless Toothy in the basket.  I’ll have to remember to cast like a girl next year.  After blowing a ton of cash on the table, I could use the money.  Carrie is amazing!

Carrie, Joe S., and others I’m sure I’m forgetting, helped Jojo clean up afterward.  Many thanks to everyone who helped out and attended our 20th Anniversary Picnic!  You are all amazing!

You have to love a relaxed event where you can eat like a king or queen, talk to your friends on the shores of the mighty Niagara and all you are required to do is pay a small parking fee!  It’s amazing!

And to whomever vehemently complained to a Beaver Island State Park worker about having to pay $7 to park, which resulted in Jojo getting a phone call from an irate Karen, who runs the park, and me having to call her to apologize on the club’s behalf, you are unbelievably amazing.  Wow.  Thanks.

[Mike "the facilities" Fortunate]

Im assuming that bold section is for me!
Dont believe everything you hear, the grumpy old man was pissed because I took my time going over the speed bump with cars behind me as he was the only booth open at the time, pissed because he couldnt hear me (engine noise) so i had to shut my car off... when he asked for $ I told him I was there to set up for the picnic and didn't know I had to pay... (because I never had to or been asked to before) and then the $100 bill came out and he demanded I give him a smaller bill however I didnt have one in my wallet but luckily had a $10 in my console gave to him and carried on........

I would explain this to karen if need be!!
However I dont feel I did anything wrong the guy was just pissed...

[Capt. Larry D. Jones]

I drove up and said I was going to the NMA Picnic and he just printed a reciept for Zero $ and smiled when he handed it to me.Mike forgot to say Thank You Sir!