2007 Fishing Trip

Our weekend began when we met at Manley's at Crescent on Friday where we exchanged loads of laughs, had some lunch and a few beverages!!!!! Larry Bruhn continued his mastery at the pool table.... Jim Thompson, Mel Paxton, Richard Tennent and Jim Baumgartner actually won at video poker!!!!! Then we continued at the Kokanee Lodge with a super steak dinner along with all the trimings... The poker parlor was opened and I can't answer for everyone, but I know I didn't win!!!!! Jack McCreary brought his collection of "oldies" music and we sang and partied until the wee hours... Bill Elliott must know every old song!!!!!!!!!

Early Saturday morning the fisher folks hit the lake with a resounding thud..... We had a great breakfast with Tom Fountain on Eggs, Dick Jones hovering over his pancakes, Mike East, Eric Skinner and John Hales doing the ham and everything else!!!! Brian Whitlow and Merwin Logan arrived and Merwin, Tom Fountain and Dave Hollandsworth headed to Lapine to meet Darrell Linkl;ater for a round of golf .... In the afternoon Wayne Compton showed up with his camera, Bill Erickson came to try his luck at the poker table and Bob Evenson (who is a retired fireman and knows CPR) had to check our overall well being!!!!!!!!! Cribbage was in the cards for Dave Love , John Hales, Dave Sears and Richard Tennent while the rest of us exchanged stories (A SYNONYM FOR LIES) and just lazed around until our lunch of BBQ Burgers with all the extras.... The afternoon was spent with more stories, snacking and beverages with a few of us retreating to Manley's for some well deserved R&R!!!!!!!!! Saturday evening was for our scrumptious baked fish dinner with Tennent on halibut, Love on salads, Guempelein on spuds and Hollandsworth on french bread!!!!!!!!!! The evening was more poker, (me as a loser and Tennent as the opposite), more beverages, more stories and just lots of bonding!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday morning the fishermen were half heartedly back at it while we had another fine breakfast and prepared for our departure.... We had classmates from long distances and any one of these classmates would be happy to hook up with you to come next year!!!!!!! Mike East from Sequim, WA... Jim Garrison from Carson, WA... Bill Guempelein from Newport, RI... John Hales and Dick Jones from Vancouver, WA... Dave Hollandsworth from Ashland... Jack McCreary from Foster... Jack Starmer from Wallowa... Mel Paxton from somewhere... and John Harper from MARS!!!!!!!!!!

FINALLY, it was time for our group picture and awards..... As I indicated before, the fishing was less than successful with Jim Thompson and Larry Bruhn our only fish catchers... Jim Thompson took home the "GRIZ" award for the second year in a row!!!! HAIL HAIL!!!!! The award for the sorriest ------- fisherman award was shared by Jack Hathaway and Russell Harris for the worst results seen in these parts in some time... Russell actually garnered the coveted award as Jack left early sunday, probably embarrassed!!!!! Now, if you noticed I haven't mentioned John Harper... it is because he doesn't need anyone to credit his deeds and misdeeds... He is fully capable all by himself..... FOR AN UNPRECIDENTED 25th YEAR... THE AWARD FOR BIGGEST PAIN IN THE ASS GOES TO ---- ------ !!!!!! The only time he has been quiet on this weekend!!!!!!!!!

This tongue in cheek report submitted by Jim Baumgartner, the steak and hamburger burner, the non fish catcher, loser at poker, non pool player but winner with Mel Paxton at video poker... Any classmate who feels he has been misrepresented or feels he hasn't been given ample representation can and is urged to file a rubuttal to these musings 6/9/2007 SPRINGFIELD/THURSTON 61

Photos contributed by Jim Baumgartner, Wayne Compton and Dick Jones by way of Edna. :-)

Jim Baumgartner & Jack Starmer