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Tag Archives: Fundraising Events

Safari Hunt 2017

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One of the big events that we look forward to around these parts each year is the Safari Hunt. Rules are simple, sign up, find an animal, win a prize. How much easier could it be? We need a Staples Easy button, right?

Meet your Safari Hunt Animal Hiders: Grady Weston, Drake Weston, Nicole Willoughby, & Dan La Due.

A quick fun story earlier in the day between Dan and Nicole. Dan was getting ready to go dive that morning, but Nicole (that’s me, the blogger) thought he was taking too long so I challenged him. At that point I didn’t have my swimsuit on, just my regular clothes. I bet him that I could get changed, dressed, geared up, and in the water before he could. Let’s just say, I won the bet!

While we were out hiding animals, I left my photographer assistant, Tiffany Hayworth in charge of land pictures. Tiffany, I want to thank you for your help, or our blog post would be pretty bare.

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Memorial Day Weekend 2017

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Wow, Can you believe that Memorial Day Weekend has already come and gone? In fact, we’ve had a second weekend since then! Yowzers! Time needs to slow down a little bit, or a lot bit really! So, we learned what the meaning was behind Memorial Day last week and we definitely want to thank those who have fought so hard for our freedom! Memorial Day weekend also seems to be the kick off to summer. The days get progressively longer (that is until June 20, then we working in to shorter daylight hours….), the weather gets warmer, and so does the water! It’s a perfect time to get SCUBA certified if you aren’t already and if you are, get your behind to that water!!

Okay, okay, so as you know if you’ve been around this group any at all, that there are a lot of shenanigans that happen when you put us all together. I’m going to attempt to recap those moments in this blog post but be warned of 2 things… 1) sometimes things that happen at the lake, stay at the lake. And 2) Because I’m putting 4 days into one post, you’re looking at 45 pictures. Hey I took it down from 168, you’re welcome!

Memorial Day Weekend

Friday

These 3 got together again. They are the next bunch of shenanigan makers!

Sisco & Pete were in heaven. I think Sisco wound up swimming so much she collapsed out of tiredness that night and didn’t move until morning.

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4th Annual Newton County Christmas for Kids Chili Cookoff and Silent Auction + Non Chili Category

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You saw it all over Facebook, you heard about it in person, there were news stories done (KSN & KOAM), blog posts written, and promoting gone wild, but now it has come and gone and we’re going to recap…. The Newton County Christmas for Kids 4th Annual Chili Cookoff and Silent Auction + this year’s newest addition of the Non-Chili Category.

A lot of planning went in to this years events, a lot of great items were donated, time was donated, and we couldn’t be more grateful for all those who helped!

The Chili and Non-Chili items needed to be in place by 4:30.

People slowly started filtering in. We had 7 Chili entries and 8 Non-Chili Entries this year.

Judges were volunteers from the organizations who are involved in the Newton County Christmas for Kids. Judges judged the chili portion of the contest plus there was a people’s choice portion. Entries into the gate were $5 which also got you 5 tickets to be distributed between the Chili and Non-Chili entries. The non-chili portion of the contest was people’s choice only.

Judges were separated off from the rest of the people while the judging took place. They judged based on taste, flavor, looks, smells, and all that counts. Then they were released back to the general population to mingle.

Poor Pete. I include this picture because we have almost an identical picture from 2013 (the first cookoff) of him in this same position.

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Extreme Safari Hunt 2016

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Safari Hunt Day, Safari Hunt Day! Say it like the British are coming… maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t, but either way, this past Saturday was Safari Hunt Day! This is a fun event that we look forward to every year. It happens in June and it is a fundraiser event for the Newton County Rescue and Recovery Team.

We got down to the lake Saturday morning. Deb and Grady had some students to certify and then we started signing participants up for the Safari Hunt.

Doug went and put the dive flags out. This is a major event so we had 3 dive flags out to mark that there were divers below.

If you happened to be around, you probably got the opportunity to talk to Scuba Scott, our SCUBAPRO representative. He was in the area and wanted to come visit with Deb and Grady. Since we were at the lake, he came to visit us at the lake during Safari Hunt Day. Are you getting tired of me saying Safari Hunt?

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Extreme Safari Hunt 2016: Animal Introductions

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Who is ready for this years Safari Hunt, Raise your Hand! Okay put your hand down, if you’re reading this around people, they probably think your nuts… You’re welcome . So this year we thought it would be fun to do animal introductions so you could see in advance who you’re looking for. They are now Facebook official, but they need to be Blog Official so we’re covering that today! Can’t wait for Saturday and Hope to see you there! Plus if you want to check out the 2013, 2014, and 2015 Safari Hunt, click on the dates for those recap posts!! Remember that the 2016 Safari Hunt is this Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Indian Creek Campground. Hope to see you there!

“Spot” the giraffe- Father of two; entrepreneur
“Fuzzy” the dog- “Hot Dog” model and aspiring actress
“Leo” the lion– Antisocial blogger and coffee bar poet
“Frenchie” the French bulldog– Recently located from France following his long lost lover Genevieve
“Stripes” the zebra– Bank teller; single father of 6
“Goldie” the bear– Retired school teacher; spends spare time with her 61 grandchildren & her husband

“Genevieve” the French bulldog- recently reunited with her lover “Frenchie” and they are expecting their first litter in the fall.
“Snoozer” the elephant– Spends his time sleeping and is trying to conquer poor eating habits
“King” the lion– fitness guru/ bodybuilder; married to his high school sweetheart
“Small fry” the dog– Used his insecurity of being the runt of the litter to speak to children in different schools about anti–bullying.
“Ellie” the elephant– Happily married to a professional football player; stay at home mom.
“Dean” the gorilla- “Repeat offender” and on the loose! Watch out!

Memorial Weekend 2016

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Be warned, this is a picture heavy post. We’re going to recap Memorial Weekend in one post. So grab a beverage of your choice, a nice sitting place, and let’s get started!

For some of our group, Memorial Weekend started Thursday night while for others it started Friday night. As Grady has pointed out, we have enough people that camp together and own campers that we’re starting to fill up the campground. Speaking of the campground, I heard rumor that during the off season they’re going to do some revamping. I guess we’ll see come next year, right?

This year the water levels were about right. They weren’t extremely high but they weren’t low either.

Hey it seems like every post we need something kind of like this, right? Sorry Dan Hayworth, do you at least feel the love that you were chosen?

Friday afternoon we took Chris and Anissa‘s boat out for a spin to Lost Bridge Marina for all the kiddos to feed the fish.

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Pancake Feed Fundraiser

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If there’s one thing I’ve mentioned before, it is that we like food. If there’s food, they will come, I’m sure you’ve heard that many times. Well one of our favorite organizations, Newton County Rescue & Recovery had a Pancake Fundraiser over the weekend to raise money for some new equipment.

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3rd Annual Newton County Firefighters Christmas for Kids Chili Cookoff

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The 3rd Annual Newton County Firefighters Christmas for Kids Chili Cookoff is in the record books. And boy did we set some new records. Stick with me on this journey to find out how.

Every year new additions to the Chili Cookoff make it better than the year before. It’s just a learning curve from year to year on what works and what doesn’t. This year brought about a few changes with the addition of the bounce house, the Johnny Train and cash prizes for the Chili winners.

The bounce house was a huge hit with the kids. And the blogger may or may not have tried her fair share of the bounce house at the beginning. Hey how can you blog about it if you don’t know?

Chloe & Cailee Lake enjoying the Bounce House

The Chili had to be in place by 5pm to be entered in the contest. This year we had 12 Chili entry participants. Thank you for participating!

Judging started at 5:30pm. This year the judges were representatives of the area firefighter departments and emergency response.

This years Judges were:

  • Greg Hickman – Newton County Emergency Management Agency
  • Jake Guernsey – Neosho Fire Department
  • Jeff Prosser – Newton County Ambulance District
  • Manford Vangunda – Seneca Area Fire Protection District
  • Mike Vandergrift – Newton County Ambulance District

And Dan La Due represented Newton County Rescue and Recovery as an alternate in case someone didn’t show up.

Our very own Diver Dan was the alternative Chili judge, but he was also there to over see the judges in case they had any questions.

While the judges were busy doing their thing, the kids were being entertained as well. We had the bounce house, but another new addition to this years festivities was the Johnny Train. Thank you Boomer Baugh for bringing this and toting the kids all around.

While the kids were playing in the bounce house and riding the Johnny Train, the adults were engaged in conversations and a lovely, competitive game of bidding in a silent auction. There were 110 items placed in the silent auction. Jared’s flatbed trailer was filled to the max and we had 2 additional tables full of items to be bid on. Items ranged from blankets, sweatshirts, wreathes, handmade horse shoe items, pliers and so much more as well as baked goods. Hopefully there was a little something for everyone!

Tiffany Hayworth modeling with one of the silent auction items, a repurposed tank lamp.

At 6pm or closely after the judges were finished judging it was time for the rest of us to eat. When we entered we paid a $5 entry fee plus we were given 5 tickets. The tickets were to vote on the People’s Choice Chili Award. Boxes were set up in front of each Chili entered. As you found a chili you wanted to vote for, you placed a ticket in the box.

Originally in the weather forecast there was a chance of rain. Even though the day was mostly cloudy, the skies never let loose and the forecast changed to mostly cloudy. But we were able to witness a BEAUTIFUL sunset.

Around 7:30pm, last call was called and boxes were picked up. Then a team went into the judges room and started counting tickets for each box. Thank you to:

for counting up each ticket for the People’s Choice Vote.

At 8pm the awards were announced.

People’s Choice went to Julia Johannes. People’s Choice received a plaque and a Gray Enameled Cast Iron Crock

3rd Place went to Nicole Willoughby. 3rd place received the plaque and $22. And the big joke of the night was my mom won People’s choice and then when Dan announced that I won 3rd place instead of saying my name he said her daughter. I was caught off guard so naturally I was teased since I’m my mother’s only child and I didn’t know it was me immediately .

2nd place went to Janet Judd. 2nd Place won $33. Janet had left for the evening so her sister Karen Weston accepted in her place.

1st place went to Rachele Lord. 1st place won $55. The last 2 years Rachele has placed but she has had to work so Doug accepted in her place. This year Doug had to work and Rachele was able to attend so they teased her all evening that she wouldn’t place since she was there, but instead she won the whole shebang.

Congraulations to this year’s Chili Cookoff Winners. You are now in the history books with the 2013 winners and the 2014 winners!

The real winners at the end of the evening were the Children in Newton County who will have a better Christmas thanks to the generous donations from all who attended the Chili Cookoff event. This year we were able to raise $3,400.

A special thank you to all those who donated items and time in pulling this event off:

Barb McMurry, Carolyn Johannes, CED Electric, Chet Anderson/Spinning Wheels SK8 Center, Dan & Carlene La Due (Shamrock Bolt & Screw), Danielle La Due (Jamberry/Origami Owl), De Anderson, Doug & Rachele Lord, Extreme Sports Scuba, Grady & Deb Weston, Harriett Miller, Horseshoe Bros (Jared Weston & Mark Willoughby), James Wilson, Janet Judd, Jared & Karen Weston, Jody Payton, Kim Brungard, Kim Fowler, Locke Electric, Logan Wilfong (Federated Insurance), Manford & Dana Vangunda, Margaret Maynard, Mariam Vandergrift, Mark & Nicole Willoughby, Marlin Willoughby, Michelle Weston, Nick & Julia Johannes, Nicole Willoughby Photography, Paula Lawless, Photography by Dana, Shirley Mann, Southern Uniform, Steve Weston, U-Do We-Do Laundry, White’s Equine Tack & Feed. (If I forgot to add someone, please let me know and they will be added!)

Chili Cookoff Official Rules & Silent Auction Items

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This last weekend we just had the Underwater Pumpkin Carving (don’t worry, a recap to come shortly!) but the next stop today is the Newton County Christmas for Kids Chili Cookoff. At the Pumpkin Carving people were asking about the rules and items that will be in the silent auction. I would like to now share those with you because even though it is not hosted by Extreme Sports Scuba, enough of us that are involved with ESS are also interested in this fun event!

This year marks the 3rd Annual Chili Cookoff. With each year we learn a little more about what works and what doesn’t and we adjust. The best part is it keeps getting better and better! Now if you’ve never been involved in one of the Chili Cookoff’s, please read about the 1st Chili Cookoff and the 2nd Chili cookoff. I’ll wait.

Some big changes that came about this year is there will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and people’s choice as well as trophies. What are those prizes you ask? Well I’m glad you asked….

  • 1st place receives $55
  • 2nd place receives $33
  • 3rd place receives $22
  • and People’s Choice hasn’t been announced just yet…

If that isn’t a reason to come and enter chili, I don’t know what is! By the way, official Rules have been announced so check those out so you’re prepared!

Easy Peasy. Yes, I’ve never said/typed that phrase before but it felt appropriate..

Make note that Chili MUST BE in place by 5pm to be entered in the contest.

Now, if cooking chili isn’t your cup of tea, but eating is, starting at 6 or just after judging is complete, that’s when the rest of us get to eat chili. And there will be other things as well, I heard Rachele Lord say she was bringing a special treat (if you were there last year you know what it is!) and there’s been talk of potato soup as well.

Next on the agenda of things to address is the Silent Auction. So far we have 25 things in our possession and that doesn’t include any baked goods, which I heard through the rumor mill there will be cheesecake… Just saying. Sadly I do not have a full list of items to be auctioned off, but I do have some fun pictures and pictures are always fun! So now I present you with some of the auction items.

And there you have it… a few of the items up for silent auction at this years 3rd Annual Newton County Christmas for Kids Chili Cookoff. Remember this is for a good cause and all proceeds go to help make a better Christmas for Children in Newton County. We hope to see you there. Also, we’re still accepting monitary &/or auction items donations so if you have any questions please contact Deb at 417-659-9009.

We hope to see you there!!!

2015 Safari Hunt

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Ah, so it’s the post you’ve all been anxiously waiting for, the recap of the 2015 Safari Hunt. I bet you’ve been on the edge of your seat thinking, when is she going to post this? Well never fear, today is your lucky day because it is finally up and ready to go. I hope you were able to come out and enjoy the day! It was beautiful. But enough of our little gab session, let’s move on to the details!

As you saw running around facebook, the animals were ready to be hidden. They took over the kayak’s, an Ed’s truck, pick up trucks, the GMC, the display case and even Grady’s desk. They were practicing hiding as the big safari hunt was coming up.

June 20, 2015 was the day. The weather finally cleared up and it was gorgeous and sunny. The temperature was a lovely 89˚F.

Water levels were up on the lake again. Rachele Lord, Dan La Due, & Grady Weston, hid 12 animals in the lake between the surface and 35 feet down.

29 divers came out to take their chance at finding an animal (or just be a dive buddy…. Whichever the case may be).

At 1:30 the hunt was on. Participants were to dive for 45 minutes or to a tank pressure of 500 psi. At the 45-minute mark the duck call was blown and divers surfaced. Each animal was numbered which gave the participant his or her number to draw for a prize.

When the duck call was blown, 10 of the 12 animals had been located.

Cam Parrish & Chris Parrish

Ashlyn Parmley & Justin Walkinshaw

Amy La Due & Emma La Due

Cailee Lake & Lee Lake

Chris Krei

Tori Willoughby & Doug Lord

Tiffany Hayworth

Kim Brungard & Chloe Lake

After all participants had drawn for their prizes, Deb & Grady put all participants names in a hat that didn’t find an animal and drew out names for the last 2 prizes.

  • Cailee Lake – Dan Mat/Dry bag,
  • Emma LaDue – Solo Class,
  • Chris Parrish- Dan Mat/Drybag,
  • Chloe Lake – Nitrox Class,
  • Tori Willoughby – Subgear Cooler,
  • Justin Walkinshaw – Scubapro Mk11 Regulator,
  • Tiffany Hayworth – Sealife Sea Dragon light,
  • Cam Parrish – Scubapro Chromis computer,
  • Ashlyn Parmley – Scubapro City bag,
  • Chris Krei – Princeton Light.
  • Jeff Carnes – Subgear cooler,
  • Gary Lassley – Princeton light.

This event is a fundraiser to help raise funds for the Newton County Rescue & Recovery organization. Everyone was encouraged to purchase tickets for a raffle drawing. Tickets were $1/ticket. Then after the prizes were distributed for the Safari Hunt, it was time to start giving away the raffle prizes. Thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets, over $600 was raised for NCRR.

Now don’t worry, we didn’t forget about the kids. They had their own “safari hunt” in more of the form of rings. The kids were broke up into two groups, 6 and under and 6-10. The younger kids rings were dropped so that they could easily pick them up but not have to go into the water. The older kids might have to “dive” for theirs. Truthfully they were still easily seen/picked up but the older kids wanted a reason to go underwater for them, it was warm, why not!?!?

A special thank you to Sealife, Scubapro, Princeton Tec, Pelican, SDI, DAN, XS Scuba, Trident, and Innovative Scuba for donations for the 2015 Safari Hunt and congratulations to all the winners of the Safari Hunt. Hope to see you next year!!