Fellow Stovebolters,
As I sat aside on Saturday afternoon preparing notes for a speech I never gave I wondered, like Billy Marlow, how the time had gone by so quickly. I arrived with Grigg about Thursday noon to the all-too-familiar welcoming U-shaped corral formed by Camp Commandant Billy Marlow, Mike Roach, Artie, and Josh, hand shakes and good-to-see-yous ensued. Our home for the next few days!
We all know that none of this camaraderie and friendship is possible without Peggy and John Milliman starting this great adventure nearly 25 years ago (Cosmo calendar math)! Billy Marlow has been in the Stovebolt site for 19 years in November and I trail him by a couple months in January. What an addition to my life the Stovebolt world has been! Lifetime friendships with more friendships formed every year!
Alas, several of our favorite 'ice cream flavors' (a nod and a wink to Master Ice-Cream Maker Grigg) were absent including Hambone, Sweet, Alec, Victor, Phillip, Chris (ndkid),Tim Pryor and others who could not make it. Take heart fellow Bolters and ODSS Gentlemen, you were with us in spirit and often in our conversations.
Shout-Outs, Thank You's, and Awards:
Food/drink Thank You's
Billy Marlow, burgers, and dogs, always delicious. Generously let's all use his grill (brought every year) and use of his golf cart.
DJ, Breakfast X2! Hash Browns, bacon, eggs, chips salsa, Friday Night Mid-Rats (Navy Tradition of serving food for the mid-watch, fried eggs, sausage wraps) and Lightning In A Bottle
Artie, delicious chili
Mikey, forks
Josh, smoked turkey and chicken, paper plates
Janine, pig's ear flavored green beans
Bill Stanley, Brauts and rolls
Jim Christian, Venison
Special Shout Out/Thank you!
Joe Rago, Incredible 2019 Stovebolt Homecoming Framed and Matted Photo! I believe he has various sized photos still available.
Pat McMullin, Stovebolt coozie drink insulator/holder. Pat and his son custom made these just for the Stovebolt/ATHS 2019 event!
Long Distance Driving Awards
John Gobby, ~450 miles, ~900+; solo, from near Toronto Canada
T C Lederman, ~323 miles, ~700; solo, from eastern North Carolina
Well done fellows!
Closing Remarks
I spent a goodly amount of time (wish it were more) talking with Pop, (DJ Druckenmiller's father). He is a fascinating, intelligent man with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Using Pop as an example, take time out to introduce yourself to someone new in your own community or at our next get-together and learn from an experience different from your own. You will be rewarded with payment in kind of an equally rapt listener to hear of your own successes/failures/trials.
I was so impressed by hearing many people say how much they enjoyed the ATHS/Stovebolt experience this year and are eager for Spring Homecoming.
Thanks so much brothers and sisters.
Regards, your president of the ODSS,
