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Re: Single life still swings for cast of Timber Pines club, Aug. 3 Times:
Editor: Thank you for the article. Hopefully, it will draw the attention of the entrepreneurs in the community and give them the idea that entertainment palatable to those of us age 50 and over could be successful here.
Contrary to popular belief, laughter, conversation and companionship is just as desirable after you pass 50 as it is before. Being over 50 does not mean you don't enjoy music, dancing or other types of entertainment. There is a dearth of entertainment for those of us who find ourselves suddenly single at this age and many of us do not live in communities such as Timber Pines that would facilitate establishing a club of like-minded individuals.
We are too young to be content becoming couch potatoes that can (and do) spout the dates and times of all the popular television shows and too old to be comfortable at what passes for the "club scene" in Hernando County.
I am a member of a bereavement support group. One of the questions all widows and widowers try to answer is how do we begin our lives again, i.e., where do we go and what do we do now that we are no longer part of a couple? Unfortunately, there are few choices. The typical bar scene, while it may be diverting, is not necessarily conducive to meeting and making new friends.
It is difficult to carry on a conversation in that atmosphere. Sadly there is no book store, coffee shop or other commercial entity for those of us in this age group to go to be entertained or, perhaps, make new friends.
Again, thank you for the article. I hope to see others in a similar vein so that attention will be drawn to this lack in our community. Who knows? Perhaps an enterprising capitalist will be enticed to effect a change.
Re: Killing depleted resource, July 26 Times:
Editor: It is somewhat disturbing that a reporter of Mike Scarantino's caliber has displayed such blatant disregard for a journalist's ethical obligation to approach an assignment with an unbiased opinion.
Measures in fact were taken by the Port Hudson Marina and the Port Hudson Fishing Club in an attempt to format the second annual Port Hudson Shark Tournament as a limited kill tournament in contrast with the prior history of this tournament going back to the late 1980s. The rules required that all anglers would be responsible for their catch's removal. Awards were limited to four places to minimize the attrition.
I personally announced the cellular phone numbers of the weigh masters assistants for all anglers with instructions to call the weigh master in order to avoid the harvest of shark, which would not make the leader board. Throughout the tournament involving 32 anglers, eight shark were brought to weigh-in and all appeared on the leader board at one point during the tournament.
At least three blacktip shark entered were brought in on ice and promptly returned to the respective anglers for their own personal consumption, which the anglers themselves confirmed. By all accounts, these measures were successful, yet amazingly enough, Scarantino's article makes no mention.
The Port of Hudson Fishing Club has been in existence since 1995. At no time has a representative of a conservation-themed organization or educational outreach program attended with the intention of providing our members with information regarding alternative tournament formats. Internally we have discussed these issues on several occasions and have incorporated some change to tournament format.
It is very obvious that the progress we have made in a relatively short period of time has been disregarded by those with the intent to selectively criticize. We have and will continue to welcome reasonable discussion in regard to these issues with the understanding that ultimately our tournaments will be conducted in compliance with state and federal law and in accordance with the rules established by those directly involved.
Many of our members including myself practice catch and release regularly. We will continue in our efforts to make changes to tournament format in the best interest of conservation while maintaining the spirit of competition.
Although rogue members of the media and special interest groups consider tactics such as intimidation, bad press and negative publicity as acceptable means of furthering their cause, these methods only serve to divert focus from the real issue. Certainly selective journalism is irresponsible, misleading and without a doubt counterproductive to finding common ground. Much more progress can be made through awareness and negotiation when supported by a factual basis.
It is very unfortunate that the owner and management of the Port Hudson Marina have been subject to a media ambush. Their commitment to renovate the Port of Hudson and provide a premier marina to the community of West Central Florida, which will undoubtedly result in a landmark on Florida's Gulf Coast, is evident.