John

Great report Simon. You are truly blessed!

I give up!

That's great Bernie and I guess all that I am trying to say.............show them how to earn them money rather that teach them to hold out their hands...............

Ed Zachary!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry bud but yes you can spend $1200+ or even $2000+ on goalie pads but hey you can also buy real good one's that have been worn for a year for a few hundred, that's really your choice and decision. I have grandkids playing AAA and AA (not goalies) and they are outfitted very well for $500 a season. It's a little like fishing really, a $500 rod and $300 reel doesn't generally catch more fish than a $100 combo. I have seen kids (10-12 year olds) with more talent then my grandkids playing AAA in used skates and hand-me-down pads 'cause that's all that their parents can afford...................you know what, they can skate circles around most kids in that "cheap" equipment. It's not fundraising that I have a problem with Brian it's the panhandling outside the store while their well dressed parents look on and sneer if you choose not to shell out to their kids, for nothing, who could care less about being there..........

Yup, we have donated a lot of loonies and toonies to great causes at the liquor store too...........

No fuddy duddy here, just asking for some effort for the reward, that's all. Don't expect me when I am headed into the grocery store to drop money into the hands of a few kids yawning away at the entrance with their parents sat under an umbrella drinking lemonade! By the way these are usually soccer teams or gymnastic clubs looking for funds to buy fancy track suits or offset a trip to Texas to play a tournament, not kids who can't afford to play........sorry...... Not sure where you get your numbers but $15k is not it. Rep hockey one of the more expensive kids sports here in Burlington costs about $2,000 for registration, jerseys, ice time, refs, etc, etc.....Tournaments can add up to another $2-3,000 depending on the distance. Equipment around $500. It's cheaper in other cities like Oakville for example as they are allowed to fund raise and accept team sponsorship from affluent Mom's and Dad's. As a rep club, if the kid is talented enough and the parent(s) can not afford it there are sponsored players. If the kid wants to play hockey (house league) and parent(s) can't afford it there are many programs offered to allow the child to play either free or partially sponsored. Just sayin'.

I coached competitive soccer for 15 years and we fund raised for everything other than basic registration. It involved sponsorship in return for advertising on uniforms etc., running bingo's in smoke filled rooms at midnight to 3.00am, car washes, bottle drives, garage sales.........you get the idea. My Grandson plays competitive hockey, (very expensive), they are not allowed to fund raise at all, I guess different clubs look at it in different ways. I just can't figure clubs, coaches and parents allowing players to scrounge money outside liquor stores, beer stores and grocery stores without offering anything or any effort in return, to me it's a form of panhandling......just my .002!

Great pic............questionable hat, even more questionable hockey jersey!

I was hoping to be as you know Lew but Barbara's Dad is scheduled for surgery so we had to delay it...

I have a Humminbird 958c (combo) and have had zero problems or interference with marine radio (Raymarine). I can say nothing but good things about it in the two years I have had it. You don't have to be a techie to use it, very simple, very good graphics, good resolution. It's the old Ford/Chevy debate............ IMO

Great info Simon, thanks. Are you using a leader between the main line and the spoon?

Now you're talkin'

Cool vid Terry. You would think there would be some monster pike in there with all of that food!

Welcome Bill, nice intro, thanks for taking the time. Hope you like it here.

OK thanks guys, I will get in touch with him

Thanks, but I don't think he is down this way is he?

We have a central air system that was installed a number of years ago with the air handler and A coil in the attic as our house has hot water baseboard rads and therfore had no existing ductwork. The AC ducts are now in the ceilings. We are looking to extent the system into a to be built extension. This is probably a long shot, but is there an HVAC installer or contractor on here or does anyone know of someone that they could recommend that could handle a job like this? I am located in Burlington.

So sorry I couldn't join you guys as you know I was as excited as Cliff about getting out on Lake O and adding to my very limited 'rigging experience. Very disappointed but really happy to see you all had a great day. Nice fish Cliff. Hopefully this weather changes to something a little less hot and humid (kinder to my lungs)and I will be able to get out in my boat and try to put one or two in the net. Thanks for the report boys..........

I posted this a while ago, but just to give you another perspective of Maureen's talent. My beloved Benson who we lost a year and a half ago and his best buddy Chloe.

You're a sick man Joe

Try buying a 12" Koi for 5 bucks

Most inspiring and motivating thing I have seen in a long time! Keep playing hard Jen!

Have an awesome day my friend....

Got about 10 drops here this morning.........