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As many of you know, I am a poor, newly wed, graduate student in fisheries down here in Mississippi. Here at MSU there is an organization called Catch-A-Dream (CAD). Great organization run by great people. When I had announced that I would be heading to MSU about a year ago, EWEST contacted me and told me I need to meet Dr. Brunson, who runs CAD. Dr. Brunson is now a good friend, and I thank EWEST for looking out for me. To make a long story short, this past week I got an email from CAD saying that Mr. West had purchased 4 tickets, would not be able to attend, and had notified them to donate his tickets to my wife and I. What a great time we had last night thanks to EWEST. The thing that makes it really interesting, is that my wife and I, the night before I got the email, were discussing whether or not we could even afford to go. This just goes to show how great the Pond Boss family is, as I have only met EWEST once at PB2. I know this might not mean much to some, but it meant a great deal to my wife and I. I feel very blessed to be apart of Pond Boss not only for the information, but for the friends as well. Thanks EWEST!

You just can't say enough about ewest!

That says alot about the character of ewest (for those of us that dont personally know him) and yours for ensuring others knew of his generosity. Glad to know you and your family were able to enjoy his gift.

Yes Eric is a good guy through and through as are many on this site. Bob is the real McCoy too as in what you see is the real deal.

Thanks for the nice post about ewest, tj. He is truly a fine person and the backbone
of this forum.

That's the way he is. I'll guarantee you, he's blushing right now. Top notch, all the way.

Dont ever let those Dogs tell ya, all Rebels are bad.

Can you tell us more about the function?

I don’t want to embarrass Eric, but since we are honoring him, I have some stories to tell.
The first I have retold many times about Theo’s fly naming contest for the PB first Conference and Eric being the big winner with the name Mrs.G’s $Gill – which got me into trouble tyin’ flys for all contestants, and for following PB conferences for auction for Dr. Dave’s and Eric’s Jesse West scholarship foundation.

We became good friends at the Arlington conferences with his and Dave Davidson’s “baby sitting”.

Even though legalese is his stock in trade, Eric is “old school” and I would trust him with an old fashioned handshake deal.

He can disagree without being disagreeable.
Eric is the ultimate “Southern gentleman” – I am proud to call him my friend.

burgermeister- I have discovered that not all rebels are bad...just most of them
Catch-A-Dream is a none profit organization much like Make-A-Wish. However, it is solely based on hunting and fishing trips of a lifetime for kids. And not just any kids. These are terminally ill children. The banquet had great food, and I believe around 500 people attending. Last year at this banquet they raised upwards of $75,000. They even had a few kids on hand to share their stories about Catch-A-Dream, and their sickness. What strong kids. One testimony that happend, said that shortly after he returned from his deer hunt a few years ago, he started winning is battle with cancer, and now is cancer free. It was very heart warming, and real as there were a few kids invited to come to this banquet, but couldn't make it, as they had already lost their battle with their disease. If anyone is interested in volunteering or just curious, the website is http://catchadream.org

Great post, TJ. Well deserved kudos to Eric...he's responsible for many of us becoming active Pond Boss members because he consistently takes the time to provide patient guidance and leading by example. This forum exists because of the tireless maintenance efforts of the moderators - debt of gratitude to y'all.

ewest is a rock, and solid also, plain and simple. Note the photo below. JHAP is daydreaming severely, and is guiding the boat into a bridge piling. See how calm and collected ewest is, all the while, his life and his wife's life in jeopardy:

While it's true that JHAP is guiding the boat into a bridge piling, I'm not sure we've ever established if there was any intent or not.

As one can see, JHAP is definately focused on his target. The boat is not going at "no wake speed" either. I was sitting in the front seat watching over nervous passengers. We all were definately not as clam about the outcome as ewest. If you want a chance to take one of these glorious rides with JHAP or his designee as "captain", come with us to the next Pond Boss Conference at Big Cedar Lodge Branson, MO in April 14-16 2011. Condello can appear casual about this boat ride cause he was not on it but was in another boat busy winning the fishing contest.

Great job Eric!!! A kudos to all the other PB members that have sponsored others with their generosity as well. It happens here far more that most know. Lot's of truly generous people here!!!

JHAP must be laying low. It can't be this easy.

I think JHAP is up at his pond fishing with DIED. I think he'll have busy fingers when he gets back!!

JHAPpy? Oh JHAPpy....

Jeez, I can't turn my messed up back on you guys for a couple of days........

For your information I wasn't day dreaming in the photo above. I take my Captain responsibilities very seriously. At that very moment I was scanning the horizon for obstacles and plotting the course of the boat cruise and of course my my was reeling with important thoughts....

Wow, here I am in the "Show Me State." I wonder why they call it the show me state? Is there an abundance of adult entertainment establishments here?

Missouri, is it considered in the south or midwest? The midsouth?

Look at this lake is it beautiful or what?

What's for lunch?

I wonder if any one would notice if I pushed Sunil overboard?

So is it Miss ur i or Miss ur A?

Wow it's great to be amongst the Pond Boss family again.

Just think how many GSF are in this lake, right now swimming beneath this boat there are probably hundreds of them.

I feel like taking a nap. I wonder if Eric would notice if I dozed off for a few minutes. I can probably pull it off, just keep your eyes open and pretend like you're steering........

LOL - thanks Jeff! More posts, please!

I clearly recall JHAP mumbling "....bacon, yeah bacon......mmmmmmmm.....," twice.

I'm yo Captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.................

Only twice? It's really difficult to get into a really sound sleep while piloting a boat. Thankfully that's not a problem when I'm driving a car.

That depends on whether or not they've installed rumble strips right outside of the white lines!