2008 Winter Gala
The 2008 Gala Weekend started on Friday, January 18th with AMSA members gathering in the hospitality room to have a good time and catch up with friends from the beach. Saturday, January 19th started at 10am with 30 minute break out meetings on Gala, Fishing Tournament, Treasurer, Camporee, Expo, President/Vice President held in the hospitality room. The break out meetings ended with the Beach Access & Legislation Committee meeting in the back portion of the restaurant with approximately 25 to 30 DMS, AMSA and NCBBA members to discuss the importance of completing workbook for NPS. AMSA members that were not able to attend can access the workbook on the AMSA website homepage.
The 2008 Gala Banquet and Meeting was held Saturday night January 19th at the Princess Royal Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland. There were approximately 90 members in attendance. The evening began with happy hour and hors d’ oeuvres at 5:00 pm followed with dinner at 6:00 pm. During this time Lora Hudson with PhotoWorks donated her time to take pictures of couples and groups at the Gala. She donated the proceeds from the pictures to AMSA. The 2007 year end meeting began at 7:30 pm hosted by the 2007 AMSA President David Owens.
President Owens began by thanking the 2007 Board of Director and Officers for all the assistance they provided during the year. He also commented how dedicated the Vice President Eddie Arvey had been during his 6 years as President. He credits the success AMSA has experienced with the quality of people that has served with him in the board room and looks forward to the coming years as the new board and officers assume their responsibilities.
President Owens then provided a briefing on each committee activity and the status of each. He did dedicate time to explain the importance of the activity of the Legislative committee and the issues that AMSA will be dealing with in the next 2-5 years. He requests that every AMSA member take an active part to help shape the management plan of Assateague.
Before handing the microphone and leadership over to the 2008 President Bill Justice, Dean Disharoon stood to express the appreciation for President Owens leadership and dedication to AMSA for his years of services. Following Mr. Disharoon, Recording Secretary Danny Morris presented President Owens with a plaque and Treasurer Tom Beauchamp presented him with an AMSA gold watch as a token of appreciation on behalf of AMSA.
Danny Morris then presented the annual AMSA fishing contest trophies to Ron Humphress – Red Drum 45”, Mike Hastings – Rockfish 48”, and William Hustson – Kingfish 12 ¾”. President David Owens continued with the following awards. He presented the Jr. Angler of the Year to Alex Croswell (his parents Pete & Tammy Croswell were present to accept the award), Male & Female Angler of the Year to Pat & Terry Townsend, Associate Director of the Year to Michelle Humphress and Director & Member of the Year to Tom & Lisa Morris.
The membership was then asked to vote on a bylaw change that removed the requirement of two signatures from the membership application. This motion passed unanimously.
President Owens then introduced the 2008 officers and directors elect and requested they assemble in front of the podium to be sworn in. Following introduction, Judge and past President of AMSA Bill Shockley, had the new board and officer take their oath putting them into office.
The microphone was turned over to the 2008 President Bill Justice who expressed his appreciation for Mr. Owens years of service and dedication to AMSA. He opened the floor for any new business. Being none, the meeting was closed.
As part of the Gala, AMSA holds a live and silent auction where various items are bid upon. The auction helps to provide funds to cover the additional cost of the gala besides the dinner. These items are donated from various businesses that help support AMSA. We would like to thank the following people & businesses for their time and donations to this event: Beauchamp Construction, Sharp Energy, Daydreams Daycare, Taylor Oil Co., PhotoWorks, Dean Disharoon, Country House, Carey Distributors, Delmarva Auto Collision, Elegant Extensions, Rob Kenney, FP Winner Limited, Atlantic Tractor, Mardela Hardware Store, Farmers & Planters, Fancy Fingers, Tara Smith, Beach Fever, Tammy Croswell, Zia’s, Frontier Town, Trimper’s Rides, Planet Maze, Dough Roller, Eagles Landing, The Beach Club, Ocean City Golf, Hooter’s of O.C., Linda Zinkhan (Z-Hair Studio), Hot Bodies Tanning Salon, Scott & Kathy Turner, Brew River, Sonya’s, Francis Scott Key Motel, Benedict’s, Phillip’s Crab House, Carol Morris, and Hebron Savings Bank. For the past three years, the main auction item has been a custom made fishing pole and reel. The rod is made by Hatteras Jack of Cape Hatteras and is marked with AMSA, the year made and the pole number in the series. This year is the third year. Dean Disharoon purchased the AMSA Rod & Reel again this year and donated the Penn Baitcast Reel back to AMSA to auction off again.
The auctions were followed by dancing and fellowship among members.
We would like to thank all that attended this year’s gala and all of the members and families that helped to make the 2008 Gala a success. Mark your calendars now - next year’s Gala is tentatively set for January 16th & 17th at the Princess Royale. It is sure to be a good time to share the events of 2008 and see friends from the beach.
Mike (Chair) & Joann Bradley and Tom (Co-chair) & Lisa Morris
More pictures of the 2008 Winter Gala can be found in our Photo Album.