-129….the number of days the ticker on the Big Rock website says we have to get ready!! In the cold, rainy January it doesn't seem like spring is anywhere near but take heart,…it will be here before you know it.

-The rules are online and will be mailed this week. If you don’t see your copy in the mail, please let us know and we will get it right out to you!!

-POSITIVE NEWS! The message board on the website has begun to receive interested participants who would like to join a team and fish! If you need to put together a team, this is a great way to do it. I know right now the Sensation is open…what a great captain to have leading you to the win!

-Seegars Fence Company signed up this week as a new Platinum level sponsor. You will remember their boat, Chainlink, won the tournament in 2006 with their 501.5 lb. blue marlin. Glad and proud to list them on the 2009 t-shirt!

-While other tournaments were down 25% last year, Big Rock sustained our numbers and I believe we will do the same in 2009. The board and staff have worked hard through the years to make the tournament a big success in good times AND not so good times. We intend to keep giving our best to the participants and sponsors.

As the new President emphasized service today, I was reminded of the job my volunteer board of directors, our staff and volunteers do for our community.
The Big Rock is a labor of love for the board. They diligently work each year for the success of the tournament so that it will benefit the lives of the charities and worthy organizations it supports.
I am also reminded of the many other tournaments in our area that were born from Big Rock’s success and extend their own gifts of service to our area. I am very proud to serve under that umbrella.

-The Beaufort Task Force met this morning to discuss the parking issues in downtown Beaufort. As one of the major events that take place in this town, the Big Rock is asked to serve to make recommendations for this ongoing issue. The bulk of the meeting was focused on a “mixed use” parking situation that includes satellite parking at the Gallants Channel site. The town will focus on enforcement of their decisions, i.e. parking tickets, so participants need to be aware of the changes the town intends to make. Unfortunately the Beaufort Town Docks were built without parking stipulations and both boaters and store owners will suffer in the final decisions. It does seem that the task force is made of up of mostly level headed individuals and compromise will be the prevailing theme. If you have thoughts about this issue, please send them to me at director@thebigrock.com -

"Being associated with the Big Rock and working with you and your staff is
incredible and my pleasure!"

-Steve Goione, Artist

-Artist, Steve Goione will once again offer an original piece of art for the 51st Annual Big Rock tournament. I am really happy to have Steve back! He has a wonderful personality and everyone enjoy's their time with him. He is working on new black and white editions of his art (above) and will have something in this genre during the tournament.

-The Big Rock board of directors will meet Friday, Jan. 30th for the first meeting of 2009. The meeting will consist of charity discussions, parking issues in Beaufort, sponsor updates etc. We are always working to make the tournament better. If you ever have ideas or changes you would like to see, please let me know. I mean really, this tournament is for YOU!

-Beaufort parking during the tournament has become an issue once again. A new task force has been assigned to help the Beaufort Town Council make decisions regarding this ongoing dilema. Among your allies are me and Cynthia Barber of the Barta tournament. We both promise to work hard to defend our participants.

-I had a nice conversation with Richard Crowe today. He is in great spirits, and sounds a little itchy to get back to the coast! He is continuing to do really well and very thankful for everyone's prayers and thoughts. If you would like to send him a message and keep current with his progress, you can sign up at : http://www.carepages.com/carepages/RichardCrowe/updates/1910673?client_code=dukehealth&ipc=mur

It's a New Year Already!

It is a new year already and we are busy preparing for the upcoming tournament. I have two goals this month....one to start a blog with random information I get around town that might interest our participants and sponsors, (done), and the other is to learn how to Podcast so that each of you have even more to look at on the Big Rock site!

So here is my first post, with at least once a week additions:

-New boat on the water! Jarrett Bay has just finished the new Waste Knot (love the W.K. logo in the "o")! A full 67' of beauty that Pizza will love running.

-Some exciting Blue Fin Tuna catches on and around Captain Dale Britt's Sensation. He has a great fishing report and photo's on his website http://sensationsportfishing.com/ He is once again hosting the Tag a Giant program. For a $1200 donation to the program you can participate as the angler and get up close and personal with these spectacular fish!

-Sponsor Sign Up! We have sponsor's signing up already and in this economy, you can certainly hear my sigh of relief! I am making every effort to keep all we have worked so hard for these past few years. Of note, Coble Trench Safety will once again sign on as a Diamond Sponsor, Allegiance Security is coming back in a bigger way and Costa Del Mar will be the "Official Sunglass Sponsor" for the 2009 event.

-Our beloved board member Richard Crowe was accepted for a liver transplant, is through the surgery and as of 1/6/09 is home working on getting better. He is being cared for by his wife Carol and daughter Jessica. Keep Richard and his family in your prayers.

-I will be heading to the Miami Boat Show February 11th, 2009! It is a great way to see participants and sponsors while getting up to speed on all the new equipment. Hope to see you there!

**Photo's by Scott Taylor/Jarrett Bay Boatworks