North Bound to South Dakota

As both a member of St. Patrick's parish and a believer in trying to help others, I recall the late Fr. Flannigan, founder of Boy's Town saying these words: "No man stands taller than when he bends down to help a child" and Haiti has to be one of the many countries ravaged by disease and poverty-and of course the children are affected in the greater extreme. I also recall the words of my friend John Croyle, founder of Big Oak Ranch in Gadsen, AL-- John was a star running back for "Bear" Bryant at "Bama" in the late 1970's- had several pro offers, but instead, with the help of a brother athlete who turned over his first year signing bonus with the Washington Redskins to help John and his wife Ti start Big Oak Ranch "on a shoestring" and like the acorns that fall to the ground, Big Oak Ranch has also-- John is the person who said two things that I will always remember about caring for children: 1) "Patience is being patient when your patience runs out", and (2) "One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car we drove, what sort or house we lived in, or how much money we had in the bank- what will matter is that we were able to make the life of a child better"--

Of note, at least to me, in my friend's last remarks is his choice of the singular- "A child" not perhaps children. I am "second guessing" John here, but I think he may have recalled the parable about the boy on the beach after a severe storm-- goes something like this: "On the morning after a huge storm from the ocean had pounded the beach, a man sees a young lad picking up starfish- damaged from the pounding waves--' Say there, Son, he says- don't you know you can't save them all?" "Yesire, that's true, but at least I can save ONE" was the lads' reply--

I belong to the FruitRidge Farms hunt club (where I will be hunting pheasants tomorrow) and they sponsor the "Hunt For A Cure" Cystic Fibrosis program, our European shoot for 22/Nov will be a benefit for that cause. And Chuck Connell, owner of the Tails A Waggin club near Marion, MI sponsors fishing charters for children-

I'm not surprised to read this about John Dunkle, even though we have never met- as our Aussie friends might say: "Good on you, Mate" Good indeed!!

[Dean Romig]

To you John, and for all you do

[John D.]

Aww - my thanks folks.. Actually - our 501c3 isn't a part of any Catholic Church - or for that matter - any larger organization(s), churches, yada, yada. In short - we set it up and run it - and it is privately funded through our efforts alone and private donations from private individuals.. For that - we have done a few orphanages, schools effecting thousands of kids and support some children through foster mothers for school expenses, books and uniforms... May of these kids are "street kids" who have no parents and or were to be sold off into child slavery (which happens to about 300,000 Haitian children a year - google "haiti restaveks"

While I really need to update our website with some newer info - here it is:

http://rennwish.org/
or a couple of our projects. As you can see - we don't "hand out fish" - but rather - "teach the kids/villages to fish"..:
http://rennwish.org/Pastor_Vilnor.htm
http://rennwish.org/Pwoje_Espwa.htm
http://rennwish.org/Buy_Mom_A-Block.htm

Anyway - my sincerest thanks!

John

[Double Trouble]

Even without a church affiliation, you're doing God's work...

[Bruce Day]

In preparation for going north to go south, Dakota that is, we need to mention that we use the occasion for educational broadening. Instead of pheasant hunting all the time, we devote one afternoon to tour the Anne Hathaway cottage in Wessington Springs, the closest town.

In the evenings, we attend the opera at the Springs opera house.

John is joining us from the east, and we want to show off that we have culture too.

[QUOTE=Bruce Day;6737]In preparation for going north to go south, Dakota that is, we need to mention that we use the occasion for educational broadening. Instead of pheasant hunting all the time, we devote one afternoon to tour the Anne Hathaway cottage in Wessington Springs, the closest town.

In the evenings, we attend the opera at the Springs opera house.

John is joining us from the east, and we want to show off that we have culture too.- I'm sure John D. appreciates the evenings' festivities- the Opera House sounds intriguing- sorry to have to ask, but who was Anne Hathaway?

As far as the billboard for the SD "Larger Roosters" sort of reminds me of the restaurant/bar in Ocean City MD (where one of my married sisters lives)- named after the famous "Foghorn Leghorn" Chicken--whose catch phrase "Aah say Boy, Aah say-dat weasel gonna getcha"!! I guess culture is where you find it- good luck with those "Big Roosters"--

[John D.]

Originally Posted by Francis Morin

....sorry to have to ask, but who was Anne Hathaway?

I believe she played Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island...?

Just a guess....



John

John, I'm with you in spades on the "Not wanting to see men in tights playing leapfrog across the stage floor- while women are singing in Italian and wearing TuTu's-- Huum- possibly a cultural take on the old "Nehru Jackets" or years ago- women wearing costumes designed by Bishop Desmond TuTu-- makes me recall the Chinese philosopher's words: "May you live in interesting times"--

Not SD today (6/Nov- my Birthday) but close to it at our Kent Co. hunting club- overcast skies, some moisture- started out with my partner and his two Labs- father and son- Junior out for some OJT- Our club manager gets some very cagy and strong flying birds- not the same as the wild ones you are headed for with Colonel Day and crew, but great cover mix- I used the 12 GHE and shot it very well (for an old guy anyway) and enjoyed the morning- some of the pheasants didn't however-

Anyway, sounds like you will be exposed to some great Midwestern culture and hospitality-hope you all get into some good bird cover, enjoy the day, the dog work, and even the "Opera"-- Possibly a report on that will be forthcoming after your safe return home--

[John D.]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

...In the evenings, we attend the opera at the Springs opera house.... John is joining us from the east, and we want to show off that we have culture too.

Dear Mr. Tour Director and Epiphanous One....

Please know I do not do operas. Whilst my wife has wanted me to take her to an opera for years - I cringe at the thought of men jumping around in tights and I, too, cringe at thinking about women in tutu's screeching out songs in Italian... And yes, I do believe I do have culture. Fortunately for you - I believe it's contagious....

However - today - I did purchase a portable camera for recording this trip in the annals of PGCA history...

Yer' Buddy,

John

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by John Dunkle

However - today - I did purchase a portable camera for recording this trip in the annuals of PGCA history...
John

As in 'pocket size? rather than that enormous professional camera you've been seen with?

That big camera does nasty, embarassing things to innocent photographic subjects