“Ole Dogs”

I was honored last week to be invited to a gathering of a bunch of Ole Bulldogs. (See page three of sports for photos). This is a yearly gathering that takes place at McMullian Farms in Dellwood. Andy and Amos McMullian, a couple of Ole Dogs, are gracious to open up this homestead to what amounts to a reunion for former Marianna High School students and athletes that graduated in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. I’m an Ole Bulldog myself, just not quite that old of an Ole Bulldog. But I, along with my wife and mother, get an invite because my dad was one of this gang’s favorite coaches. So while he can’t be there, we do our best to fill in for him. And I suspect that The Times feature “Yesteryear” keeps me in pretty good standing with most of these folks. This was my second time attending and I don’t mind saying that I thoroughly enjoy these gathering of Ole Bulldogs. And of course some mighty fine fried fish, hushpuppies and cheese grits don’t hurt my feelings either. With my work in the newspaper and on the radio I have been somewhat a student and collector of information about the history of Bulldog athletics. I have a copy of every football section of the Marianna yearbook dating back to the 1940s. Except for a couple of years in the 1930s, I have a notebook that has team records, players, coaches etc on every football team in Bulldog football history. And I grew up hearing the stories from the likes of my dad, Harry Howell and Mack Rooks about all the great athletes that came along in the 40s, 50s and 60s. So to be able to mingle with these folks is not just fun, it is a privilege and an honor. For example, I have heard and read many stories about a standout football and basketball player from the early 50s by the name of named Jackie Finlayson. Mack Rooks, Frank Rooks, Jack Brown and others have sung his praises over the years. But I had never met him. I looked up the other night and there he was, sitting at a table talking to Ms. Elrod. I introduced myself and took his picture. I suspect he had no idea how much I enjoyed finally meeting him. To do what I enjoy doing, i.e. the newspaper and radio, and to hear some of the stories from these Ole Bulldogs is invaluable to me. Not just from an enjoyment standpoint, but also from the standpoint of learning as much as I can about the history of Bulldog athletics. I could sit and listen to their stories about games won and games lost all night long. I hope we keep getting an invite to this yearly gathering. Simply Put, it’s hard to beat good fried fish and even better some of that good Ole Bulldog fellowship.
From the Front Porch: Coach said it don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.

“Track – Part II”

I wrote last week about why covering track and field sports in the county has been tough. One of the reasons that I listed was because all of the track meets are held outside of Jackson County. I was surprised to learn recently that the reason there are no track meets within Jackson County’s borders is that there is no full fledge track complex at any of our high schools.

Even with as little as I know about the sport of track and field, I am amazed that a county with four varsity track and field teams has no full fledged track complex. Several have a track around the football field, but I’ve come to learn that a track around the football field is far from having a full fledge track complex. That is kind of like saying we have a backstop and four bases so therefore we have a baseball field.

The closest thing to a real track complex is located at the new Marianna High School around the football/soccer/band practice field just east of the school. The track is new and is one of the modern “rubberized” surfaces. The first thing that I’ve learned about track recently is that they no longer run on dirt or concrete. The new surfaces are some type of composite material that has a spongy feel to it.

But even the new track is lacking in many respects. While they have just recently added a pole vaulting pit, there is still no long ump, triple jump or high jump stations at the complex. There are no stations for the discus or shot put events and the program does not have any hurdles.

Not having a full fledge track complex hurts in two ways. First for the athletes they really can’t get the needed practice time in some of these more specialized events. That makes their success in the recent district meets even more amazing. There are a total of 51 track and field athletes from our county that placed high enough in their district meets to advance to the regional meet in Jacksonville this Friday. That’s not bad not have a full fledge track complex in the county.

Secondly it means that you really can’t host a track meet in the county because other teams from around the panhandle don’t want to come to a meet that does not field the full slate of events. So our athletes from the county must continually travel out of the county for track meets, using up more of their time and our tax dollars for travel cost.

I am hoping that the powers to be recognize that the lack of a track complex in the county should be addressed and rectified. I know I closed with this same line last week but, Simply Put, our county’s track athletes and coaches deserve it.

From the Front Porch: Uncle Bob said you think you are a person of influence, just try ordering someone else’s dog around.

“Track – Part I”

I have a confession to make. I have been the Sport’s Editor at The Times for over 3 ½ years now. I’ve gotten a few pot shots for not covering a few events but overall most of the comments I get are very favorable. But I must admit that during these 3 ½ years my coverage of this county’s high school track programs has been, at best, poor. There are several reasons as to why the coverage has been poor.

(1) Track season occurs in the spring and coincides with the stick and ball sports of softball and baseball seasons. There are five varsity softball teams and five varsity baseball teams in the county. Throw in Chipola’s baseball and softball squads and I am busting my backside trying to cover those twelve teams.

(2) Track meets are tough to cover in that they are very long and are very spread out. A typical track meet will last a minimum of four hours and can go as long as six to eight hours. And there are multiple events going on at one time. So while a race is taking place, the high jump and shot put may also be taking place at the same time, all in different locations of the field.

(3) The four county varsity track teams (Marianna, Cottondale, Graceville & Sneads) don’t go to many of the same track meets. This would make it much

easier to cover all the county teams. Last Wednesday in Wewahitchka was the first and only time this season in which all four county varsity track squads participated in the same meet.

(4) All of the track meets are held outside of Jackson County and I try not to travel outside the county very much to cover sporting events. The reason there are no track meets within Jackson County’s borders is that there is no full fledge track complex at any of our high schools. (See next week’s column, Track – Part II, for more on this subject)

While in my book these are valid reasons for the poor coverage, the reality is that they are just excuses on my part. The five varsity track squads, along with a solid track program at Grand Ridge Middle School, amounts to more than 100 county athletes. Those athletes work just as hard as any other sport in practicing and preparation for the meets. They experience the same highs and same lows as any other athlete. So they should be recognized in the same fashion as the stick and ball sports (that’s a nickname for traditional sports such as football, basketball. Baseball and softball).

I’ve been trying to do better this season and I hope page three of sports this week (Freeze Frame) is another step in the right direction. Simply Put, our county’s track athletes and coaches deserve it.

From the Front Porch: Coach said our actions are the springs of our happiness or misery.

Power to The Paddle

I’ve had several folks comment on my column last week regarding the issue of not allowing motorized boats to put in on the Chipola River in the new Greenway parks. As you may recall I support the city and county’s efforts to make the launches in these greenway parks designed for non-motorized vessels like canoes and kayaks. Some folks whole heartedly agreed with me and some thought that I surely must have hit myself in the head with one of my paddles.

Most of the folks that prefer gas powered boats can whip out the reasons they prefer a motorized boat over a canoe/kayak quicker than they fire up their Evinrude. That got me to thinking about the advantages that a canoe/kayak offer over motor boats. So in the interest of countering the motor boat folks (and maybe even sway one or two toward a canoe/kayak) I thought I would list the following reasons I like a canoe/kayak over a motor boat:

 No boat trailer is required

 Easy to launch and load

 Quiet, tranquil and relaxing

 Good exercise

 See more wildlife

 Reach hard to get places

 Better for the environment

 No noise, exhaust,
gas/oil slicks

 Basically maintenance free

 Easy to store

 Cost less to buy

 Cost less to operate

 No gas/oil required

 No boat trailer tag required

 No boat registration required

 No boat motor repairs

 Won’t break down on you

These are just a few of the advantages and of course, like anything, there are some disadvantages. The required portage for vehicles and the perceived limitations on water travel are the most common cited. The most valid disadvantage I’ve heard is from a motor boat friend of mine who said it is just too hard to urinate from a canoe or kayak.

Well folks, the weather is finally getting right. So, Simply Put, do yourself and the river a favor. Leave the cover on that ole motor boat, grab a paddle along with a canoe or kayak and head to the river.



From the Front Porch: Uncle Bob said if you’re in a bad situation, Don’t worry, it’ll change. If you’re in a good situation, Don’t worry, it’ll change.

“To Paddle or To Motor – That is the Question”

I, like most of you, enjoy reading “Getting It Right” by my friend and Times Managing Director Sid Riley. And more often than not I am in agreement with Sid. But in last week’s rudiments he commented on his disapproval of the “Greenway” project plans along the Chipola River to use taxpayer money to build public boat ramps that would be designed for canoes and kayaks only.

I suspect that Sid is not alone in his opinion that this is unfair, or even illegal, to use taxpayer money on boat ramps that restricts access to folks with motorized boats. It may come as no surprise to some that I would support the efforts to make these launches for non-motorized vessels.

Greenway projects are a popular way in which city and county governments can tap into state and federal grant money (our tax dollars) to preserve areas just such as that along the Chipola River. The greenway projects are designed to allow for low impact public use of the area.

Canoe and kayaks are in keeping with this low impact concept. Gas powered motor boats are not. Canoes and kayaks don’t pollute. Gas powered motor boats do. Want proof. Just spend a few minutes trailing a gas powered motor boat on the river. It’s kind of like when we used to run behind the city truck that sprayed for mosquitoes. And long after the boat is gone the exhaust hovers over the water like fog. Just check out when the gas powered motor boat puts in and takes out. It usually produces an oil slick that would make the Exxon Valdez proud.

I am not proposing that gas powered motor boats be banned from the river. I know that is not realistic. And I’m sure just how much real damage is caused by gas powered motor boats could be debated. But even a little bit of pollution is not good.

Another argument is that gas powered motor boats would not actually be denied access to these areas. For example, they can put in at Yancey Bridge and motor down or put in at Magnolia Bridge and motor up. They can be in the greenway areas in a matter of a few minutes.

As to the legality of the issue, there is already some precedent. Walking, hiking, jogging and bicycle trails are routinely established with tax payer money in parks and nature preserves. These trails favor one segment of the population to the detriment of another, as in they do not allow access by motorized devices such as four wheelers and motorcycles.

So at the risk of having all the motorized boat folks and bream fishermen (armed with their propellers and fishing hooks) out to get me, I applaud the city and county planners for their initiatives. To borrow a line from Sid, Simply Put, I think they are Getting It Right. Let’s go paddling.

From the Front Porch: Uncle Bob said that by the time you have money to burn, the fire has about gone out.