Memories of Reunion Lake Millwood Fishing Trip
By Donnell Bagley March 10, 2008
Monday morning, March 10, dawned cold, cloudy, and wet, but I was
meeting Dean Roach, Perry Easterling, and Joel Osborn at Lake Millwood
for three days of fishing. I knew it would be a unique experience, but I did
not know how unique until my cell phone rang.
It was Joel asking if I wanted to meet him and Perry in Texarkana for
lunch. I said sure, just tell me where. Joel replied, “Hooters, because it is
easy to get to.” Yeah right!
Seaweed called while we were eating and asked if we wanted to have a
bologna sandwich at the RV for lunch. When we told Seaweed where we
were eating lunch, he was not a happy camper. He said something about
setting up the RV by himself, while we ate lunch at Hooters.
When Perry, Joel and I made it to the lake, Seaweed was smiling, sort of.
We stayed at Yarbourgh Landing while we were at Millwood. The
Landing is owned by Bill Brown, a relative of Alvin Easterling. Alvin’s
grandson, Pate Easterling, also lives by the lake. Pate was kind enough to
show us around the lake Monday afternoon. We also has a visit from Alvin’
great-granddaughter. What a doll!
Tuesday morning, we were greeted by thick fog, but we managed to get
on the lake by late morning. Joel had to return to Texarkana, because his
wife recently had knee replacement surgery.
Perry, Seaweed, and I hit the lake to try to catch some catfish in the river
channel. Nothing else was biting and neither were they. We did manage to
catch one nice catfish. I will let Perry or Seaweed tell who caught it.
We had a wonderful meal that night: boneless pork loin and boneless
chicken breast, baked beans, potatoes a gratin, and pecan pie. Seaweed is
a great RV chief.
Wednesday morning was bright and clear with a little wind. Perry left for
home so Pat would not have to drive to Hope Thursday in bad weather.
Joel returned from Texarkana, so he and I and Seaweed hit the lake around
mid-morning. We carried lunch and drinks and were set for the day. First
viennas I have eaten in a boat in a long, long time. The fish still had
lockjaw, but we managed to put three small catfish in the boat. Once again I
will defer as to who caught what.
Joel returned home Wednesday evening, so Seaweed and I ate up all
the good leftovers for supper.
Thursday morning Seaweed and I got everything put up and hooked up
and headed for Hope. We looked like a caravan with a lineup of truck, RV,
boat, and van. We arrived in Hope about 10:00 a.m. at fair park. We found
a good spot, so we unhooked and set up. Seaweed is also a master at
takedown and setup.
It would have been nice to have caught a lot of fish, but that would have
just been gravy on the steak and icing on the cake.
We all had a great time!
By Donnell Bagley March 10, 2008
Monday morning, March 10, dawned cold, cloudy, and wet, but I was
meeting Dean Roach, Perry Easterling, and Joel Osborn at Lake Millwood
for three days of fishing. I knew it would be a unique experience, but I did
not know how unique until my cell phone rang.
It was Joel asking if I wanted to meet him and Perry in Texarkana for
lunch. I said sure, just tell me where. Joel replied, “Hooters, because it is
easy to get to.” Yeah right!
Seaweed called while we were eating and asked if we wanted to have a
bologna sandwich at the RV for lunch. When we told Seaweed where we
were eating lunch, he was not a happy camper. He said something about
setting up the RV by himself, while we ate lunch at Hooters.
When Perry, Joel and I made it to the lake, Seaweed was smiling, sort of.
We stayed at Yarbourgh Landing while we were at Millwood. The
Landing is owned by Bill Brown, a relative of Alvin Easterling. Alvin’s
grandson, Pate Easterling, also lives by the lake. Pate was kind enough to
show us around the lake Monday afternoon. We also has a visit from Alvin’
great-granddaughter. What a doll!
Tuesday morning, we were greeted by thick fog, but we managed to get
on the lake by late morning. Joel had to return to Texarkana, because his
wife recently had knee replacement surgery.
Perry, Seaweed, and I hit the lake to try to catch some catfish in the river
channel. Nothing else was biting and neither were they. We did manage to
catch one nice catfish. I will let Perry or Seaweed tell who caught it.
We had a wonderful meal that night: boneless pork loin and boneless
chicken breast, baked beans, potatoes a gratin, and pecan pie. Seaweed is
a great RV chief.
Wednesday morning was bright and clear with a little wind. Perry left for
home so Pat would not have to drive to Hope Thursday in bad weather.
Joel returned from Texarkana, so he and I and Seaweed hit the lake around
mid-morning. We carried lunch and drinks and were set for the day. First
viennas I have eaten in a boat in a long, long time. The fish still had
lockjaw, but we managed to put three small catfish in the boat. Once again I
will defer as to who caught what.
Joel returned home Wednesday evening, so Seaweed and I ate up all
the good leftovers for supper.
Thursday morning Seaweed and I got everything put up and hooked up
and headed for Hope. We looked like a caravan with a lineup of truck, RV,
boat, and van. We arrived in Hope about 10:00 a.m. at fair park. We found
a good spot, so we unhooked and set up. Seaweed is also a master at
takedown and setup.
It would have been nice to have caught a lot of fish, but that would have
just been gravy on the steak and icing on the cake.
We all had a great time!
Third Annual Hope High Reunion Golf Match
By Donnell Bagley
The third edition of Hope High Reunion Golf took place at Hope
Country Club at high noon, Thursday, March 13, 2008. There was an
outstanding lineup of players:
Alvin Easterling
Perry Easterling
Don Fuller
Bernard Dunn
Jim Willis
Joel Osborn
Dean Roach
Donnell Bagley
Once again serving as official photographer was Jimmy Easterling
assisted by Weaver Jordan. This might explain some of the pictures.
The gallery for several holes consisted of Clyde Arnold, Ellis Rothwell,
and Tom Ed Hayes. It was great to have them with us.
All eight of us played together for the first nine holes. This was a show
that would make Saturday Nigh Live jealous. When we reached the water
holes, we had to call for a diver with wet suit and air tank. There were so
many splashes, I wished for my rod and reel.
For the second nine holes we split into two foursomes. Alvin and I
played a match against Don and Joel. Alvin negotiated a fair match that
was close all the way. I will just say I have a dollar bill framed and hung on
the wall. Alvin is a great negotiator!
I don’t know what was happening in the other foursome, but I heard
someone say Seaweed refused to lose a dollar. He has been
underestimated before.
We were blessed with great weather and great friends for the third year
in a row. I pray that we will be so blessed again next year and more of our
friends and classmates will join us.
By Donnell Bagley
The third edition of Hope High Reunion Golf took place at Hope
Country Club at high noon, Thursday, March 13, 2008. There was an
outstanding lineup of players:
Alvin Easterling
Perry Easterling
Don Fuller
Bernard Dunn
Jim Willis
Joel Osborn
Dean Roach
Donnell Bagley
Once again serving as official photographer was Jimmy Easterling
assisted by Weaver Jordan. This might explain some of the pictures.
The gallery for several holes consisted of Clyde Arnold, Ellis Rothwell,
and Tom Ed Hayes. It was great to have them with us.
All eight of us played together for the first nine holes. This was a show
that would make Saturday Nigh Live jealous. When we reached the water
holes, we had to call for a diver with wet suit and air tank. There were so
many splashes, I wished for my rod and reel.
For the second nine holes we split into two foursomes. Alvin and I
played a match against Don and Joel. Alvin negotiated a fair match that
was close all the way. I will just say I have a dollar bill framed and hung on
the wall. Alvin is a great negotiator!
I don’t know what was happening in the other foursome, but I heard
someone say Seaweed refused to lose a dollar. He has been
underestimated before.
We were blessed with great weather and great friends for the third year
in a row. I pray that we will be so blessed again next year and more of our
friends and classmates will join us.