Just got home from work a little while ago and saw the new posts after a long - and busy - Labor Day weekend.
Well, from the responses I'd say that's already a pretty strong line-up for volunteers to start with.
You know, after my starting post I've been thinking that maybe going for a marker at the Mariner's Memorial first is just putting the horse before the cart. I spoke with Pt Jude Joe and he and his brother Jeff already have a paver on order at the Memorial. He also said that Jess and John Jr were touched by the sentiment of the gesture. Perhaps a pemanent marker in tribute is something that we can arrange for at a later point given the process involved.
Maybe the way to approach a tribute to Habs initially is to hold a striped bass tournament in his honor as DZ suggested.
What if we held a tournament honoring John's memory and used part of the proceeds toward purchasing the stone? The balance of an entry fee could be used to defray the costs involved in setting up an annual tourney and with luck we might also have enough left over to donate to a charity that John would have liked if we get enough participants.
Actually, Mrs. Crafty had a great idea last nite after I told her about wanting to do something in John's memory - she said why don't we use part of the money collected from the entry fee to establish a scholarship in Habs' name for some deserving youngster.
"The 1st Annual John Haberek Memorial Striped Bass Tournment"
Well, whaddya think
sorta has a nice ring to it.
If we do it out of Newport we could incorporate a picnic at Brenton Park like DZ said on a Saturday afternoon. Maybe do the food at the picnic like the way TFCTFN is done - hey, I'd be glad to toss in a hot cauldron of Drunken Blackfish Stew.
Then the menfolk - and womenfolk and kidfolk if they so choose - could go out to start fishing for the tourney. Everywhere in RI is easy access at that time of year.
Hell, the company alone would be as much fun as the fishing. Maybe do the awards on the Sunday at the Coddington Brewery over a blueberry ale or two - Habs would have
certainly approved of that
While it's pushing the envelope timewise, maybe Columbus Day weekend might be good - at least that would give everyone ample time to fish, enjoy the festivities and still have Monday off to rest up. The 3rd weekend in September would be better fishwise (although it's hard to tell anymore) but that's coming up real quick.
Anyway, does anyone have any other ideas? You know, we could get this put together in the time between now and then if everyone pitches in - look at the talent pool we've got here. Even if the first time around is a little looser in terms of organization, it would still be a hoot.
What do you guys think?
Personally, I think it would be a great way to remember Senor Habs.
So where do you think we oughta start to get this underway? I'll be happy to put up some old Angler's Art prints to get some money in the kitty to help with expenses. I think the tourney would be a great time and a good way to share stories about how good it was just to know the King.