Annual event enjoys banner day

By Joe Bowling
OUTDOORS EDITOR

   The Roan Mountain State Park Trout Tournament came off like a charm.
   "This was one of the best tournaments we have had in the last 21 years the Elks has co-sponored the event," stated Roger Ledford, chairman of the 21st annual event.
   Close to 300 kids participated in the event held at Roan Mountain State Park the day before Mothers Day.
   The Elks raised over $1,300 for door prizes that were given to the kids following the awarding of trophies and gift certificates to the winners.
   Each trophy winner received: FIRST PLACE -- Trophy and $100 in sporting merchandise; SECOND PLACE -- Trophy and $50 in sporting goods; THIRD PLACE -- Trophy and $25.
   Glen Hatfield, head of the Roan Mountain State Park, congratulated the Elks Lodge for its excellent work to make in the tournament a success.
   A lot of hard work went into the tournament. Elks members that did the work were Ledford, Dempsey Shell Jr., Deanna Irick, Robin Phillips, Mike Donnelly, Jerry Mock, Moose Mann, Tommy Wetzel, Norman Carver and Windy Carver.
   The Elks State President, Charles Taggert, was present and congratulated the local Elks for their dedicated effort in making the tournament a big success.
   Trophy winners in ages 7-11 were awarded to Tim Wharton for first place, Scott Odom, second place and Joshua Miller for third place. Ages 12-15: Justin Banner won first, Josh Williams second and Taylor Mollish third.
   Mollish also won first in most tagged fish and Logan Shell won the most tagged fish caught in the ages 7-11. Logan Shell won the Nick Carter award and Mollish was awarded the Richard Dick Chausse Award.