Contest (Pix Added 11/21)OBG’s GrammarNazi Drawing

OldBaldGuy · 09-23-2008, 06:18 PM

Now that school has started across the state and the kids are back in class hitting the books, I want to do something positive to “Make English the Official Language of Nebraska...and the NEFGA.”

Some of you may have noticed that I sometimes express concern about the quality of our written communications here on the Forum. On the whole, the level of discourse within our Forums far exceeds the literacy level of the typical online forum. True, we do have the occasional “noam” wandering bewildered through (or “threw”) our website,

but the overall literacy of NEFGA participants, like the children of Lake Wobegon, is above average.

To cite just one example, Daryl B’s contributions to this Forum are important because of his knowledge of fisheries, but that knowledge would be worthless to us if he lacked the ability to communicate clearly via the written word. Can you remember the last time a message from Daryl

had a spelling or grammatical error, or even an error in punctuation? They’re few and far between.

Some of you also may have noticed I’m an advocate for fly fishing, so when I saw the opportunity to kill or at least discomfort two birds with one rock, I’ve jumped on the chance.

For reasons too complicated to explain here, I have a brand new, unopened:

Pflueger® Fly Fishing Rod and Shakespeare® Reel Starter Kit
The Pflueger starter kit is ideal for anyone. The outfit includes a easy-to-cast Pflueger 5/6 weight 8-foot, 3-piece medium-action fly rod and a cast steel, spring and pawl Shakespeare reel. The reliable reel is pre-rigged with 50 yards of 20# backing, a WF5F fly line, and a 4X tapered leader.

This should make a nice introductory rig for some boy or girl interested in trying fly fishing. The 5/6-wt. is a suitable size for panfish, trout, bass and all but the bigger channel cats or carp. (Kershaw caught a wiper on a lighter rig than this, so anything is possible!)

I want to give away this starter kit but do so in a way that will encourage the young relative or friend of some Forum member to get off to good start in English this year. So I’m offering it as a prize.

The drawing is open to all boys and girls now enrolled in a Nebraska public or private school in grades 6, 7, or 8. (These are the “difficult” years. Ask any parent.

)

To enter the drawing, mail a Xerox copy of the student’s first quarter (mid-semester) report card showing either an “A” or the top numerical grade in English, language arts, or equivalent class. Only the student’s name, grade, and date need be shown; all other information should be blacked out on the copy. Address the entry to:

Nebraska Fish and Game Association
Attn: OBG
P.O. Box 31443
Omaha, NE 68131

Entries should be postmarked no later than midnight, Oct. 31, 2008. If more than one entry is received, we will draw the winner Nov. 1, 2008.

To ensure your entry is received, please post a note to this thread.

My goal is to encourage students to work hard to get off to a good start in English class this academic year, while providing one lucky student with the tools to waste thousands of hours in the future.

LundLover · 09-23-2008, 06:21 PM

DARN! I have a 5th grader and a 10th grader. Just missed the cut.

Great idea though OBG to encourage a young person AND get them hooked on the sport of fishing!

BoB_25 · 09-23-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LundLover

DARN! I have a 5th grader and a 10th grader. Just missed the cut.

Great idea though OBG to encourage a young person AND get them hooked on the sport of fishing!

Great Idea....

fishinwithdad · 09-23-2008, 06:38 PM

Well, I ain't... uh, I mean, uh, good idea!

If only I actually knew any jr. high students...

H2only · 09-23-2008, 07:04 PM

cool idea and both of my boys are currently getting an "A" in English

buglem · 09-23-2008, 07:10 PM

Great idea OBG! I have to ask, are you a former teacher or exactly where did this passion for English come from?

Big Johnson · 09-23-2008, 07:17 PM

OBG,

I just showed this post to my daughter and she is very excited to say the least! She is in the 8th grade and just turned 14 yesterday. My gift to her was an Abu Garcia 6'-6" medium action pole and a Shimano Syncopate 4000FE reel.
She asked me to state that she accepts the challenge and looks forward to submitting her grades to the contest. She would love to learn fly fishing.

LundLover · 09-23-2008, 07:35 PM

Hmm. Maybe instead of a drawing, they should write an essay....

Why I want to become an elite angler and learn flyfishing.

OldBaldGuy · 09-23-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buglem

Great idea OBG! I have to ask, are you a former teacher or exactly where did this passion for English come from?

My Mom was a country school teacher before she married. Dad was shipped overseas a few months before I was born, so Mom -- home alone with an infant son for my first 16 months -- spent hundreds of hours reading to me. Our "entertainment budget" then was a free public library card. (I can't remember not having one.) I think you can safely blame her for my love of the printed word.

buglem · 09-23-2008, 08:46 PM

Great story! Thanks for the explanation. That's definitely different than when most guys pull the "Mom card"...

ArizonaNative · 09-23-2008, 09:01 PM

Above and beyond proper spelling and punctuation, word usage could stand for some improvement. It's all too common to see "hard" where "difficult" should be or "hot" where "spicy" should be, for example.

ArizonaNative · 09-23-2008, 09:02 PM

Oh yeah, forgot to mention this is a great idea and very generous of you, OBG!

**Catfishsteve** · 09-23-2008, 09:03 PM

Thanks, OBG!! Does it count if I retook 7th grade English last year?

Well, I guess it would if I had passed, right? Dang!!!

GenericAngler · 09-23-2008, 09:07 PM

Awesome contest for the kids. Looks like I have two in the running.

OldBaldGuy · 09-23-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catfishsteve

Thanks, OBG!! Does it count if I retook 7th grade English last year?

Well, I guess it would if I had passed, right? Dang!!!

The drawing is open to any public or parochial school student in grades 6, 7, or 8. That's not the same, Steve, as calling fifth grade your junior year.

On a more serious note, the "A" doesn't have to be from a formal 9-week report card because some schools don't issue formal report cards until the end of the semester. It can be a mid-semester (mid-FIRST-semester) "progress report," or whatever euphemism your school uses.

south of 41 · 09-23-2008, 10:19 PM

“I wonder if illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup?'”

Jerry Seinfield

**Chad** · 09-24-2008, 08:55 AM

Thanks, Rog!
This will be a cool contest.

**holdemplyer** · 09-24-2008, 09:02 AM

Way cool Roger!

I can only guess that I can't enter even though I have the mentality of a 5th grader huh?

Huskeron · 09-24-2008, 10:53 AM

eye wood lik to inter butt IM two old; may bee mi litle bother Will get a a this simister & he can whin,

jim

Slimdog · 09-24-2008, 10:57 AM

My hat's off to you, Rog! I applaud your generosity!

Slim

09-23-2008, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
OldBaldGuy Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The paradise formerly known as Elkhorn Certified Youth Fishing Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 5,552 Thanks: 59 Thanked 152 Times in 81 Posts	(Pix Added 11/21)OBG’s GrammarNazi Drawing Now that school has started across the state and the kids are back in class hitting the books, I want to do something positive to “Make English the Official Language of Nebraska...and the NEFGA.” Some of you may have noticed that I sometimes express concern about the quality of our written communications here on the Forum. On the whole, the level of discourse within our Forums far exceeds the literacy level of the typical online forum. True, we do have the occasional “noam” wandering bewildered through (or “threw”) our website, but the overall literacy of NEFGA participants, like the children of Lake Wobegon, is above average. To cite just one example, Daryl B’s contributions to this Forum are important because of his knowledge of fisheries, but that knowledge would be worthless to us if he lacked the ability to communicate clearly via the written word. Can you remember the last time a message from Daryl had a spelling or grammatical error, or even an error in punctuation? They’re few and far between. Some of you also may have noticed I’m an advocate for fly fishing, so when I saw the opportunity to kill or at least discomfort two birds with one rock, I’ve jumped on the chance. For reasons too complicated to explain here, I have a brand new, unopened: Pflueger® Fly Fishing Rod and Shakespeare® Reel Starter Kit The Pflueger starter kit is ideal for anyone. The outfit includes a easy-to-cast Pflueger 5/6 weight 8-foot, 3-piece medium-action fly rod and a cast steel, spring and pawl Shakespeare reel. The reliable reel is pre-rigged with 50 yards of 20# backing, a WF5F fly line, and a 4X tapered leader. This should make a nice introductory rig for some boy or girl interested in trying fly fishing. The 5/6-wt. is a suitable size for panfish, trout, bass and all but the bigger channel cats or carp. (Kershaw caught a wiper on a lighter rig than this, so anything is possible!) I want to give away this starter kit but do so in a way that will encourage the young relative or friend of some Forum member to get off to good start in English this year. So I’m offering it as a prize. The drawing is open to all boys and girls now enrolled in a Nebraska public or private school in grades 6, 7, or 8. (These are the “difficult” years. Ask any parent. ) To enter the drawing, mail a Xerox copy of the student’s first quarter (mid-semester) report card showing either an “A” or the top numerical grade in English, language arts, or equivalent class. Only the student’s name, grade, and date need be shown; all other information should be blacked out on the copy. Address the entry to: Nebraska Fish and Game Association Attn: OBG P.O. Box 31443 Omaha, NE 68131 Entries should be postmarked no later than midnight, Oct. 31, 2008. If more than one entry is received, we will draw the winner Nov. 1, 2008. To ensure your entry is received, please post a note to this thread. My goal is to encourage students to work hard to get off to a good start in English class this academic year, while providing one lucky student with the tools to waste thousands of hours in the future. __________________ “I think every happy memory plucks a hair from your head; if you see an old bald guy, he’s probably had a great life.” –-Red Green Last edited by OldBaldGuy; 09-23-2008 at 06:21 PM.

09-23-2008, 06:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
LundLover Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 3,872 Thanks: 32 Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts	DARN! I have a 5th grader and a 10th grader. Just missed the cut. Great idea though OBG to encourage a young person AND get them hooked on the sport of fishing! __________________ I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions. - Augusten Burroughs

09-23-2008, 06:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
fishinwithdad Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lincoln Posts: 340 Thanks: 56 Thanked 19 Times in 10 Posts	Well, I ain't... uh, I mean, uh, good idea! If only I actually knew any jr. high students... __________________ "Let's go fetch the protein!" - Uncle Ted Nugent

09-23-2008, 07:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
H2only Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 968 Thanks: 40 Thanked 61 Times in 51 Posts	cool idea and both of my boys are currently getting an "A" in English __________________ time to wake up folks: youtube.com/watch?v=8PIEGK0IbA4 2008 Riverway Racing sponsored rider riverwayracing.com

09-23-2008, 07:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
buglem 2008 Catch & Continue 2nd Runner Up Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Elkhorn Posts: 345 Thanks: 8 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Great idea OBG! I have to ask, are you a former teacher or exactly where did this passion for English come from? __________________ One of you turds is about to get smacked in the mouth! - Texas Ranger

09-23-2008, 07:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Big Johnson Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Columbus Posts: 243 Thanks: 39 Thanked 47 Times in 23 Posts	OBG, I just showed this post to my daughter and she is very excited to say the least! She is in the 8th grade and just turned 14 yesterday. My gift to her was an Abu Garcia 6'-6" medium action pole and a Shimano Syncopate 4000FE reel. She asked me to state that she accepts the challenge and looks forward to submitting her grades to the contest. She would love to learn fly fishing. __________________ Regards, Rob Johnson

09-23-2008, 07:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
LundLover Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 3,872 Thanks: 32 Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts	Hmm. Maybe instead of a drawing, they should write an essay.... Why I want to become an elite angler and learn flyfishing. __________________ I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions. - Augusten Burroughs

09-23-2008, 08:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
buglem 2008 Catch & Continue 2nd Runner Up Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Elkhorn Posts: 345 Thanks: 8 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Great story! Thanks for the explanation. That's definitely different than when most guys pull the "Mom card"... __________________ One of you turds is about to get smacked in the mouth! - Texas Ranger

09-23-2008, 09:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
ArizonaNative Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pawnee County Posts: 333 Thanks: 14 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Above and beyond proper spelling and punctuation, word usage could stand for some improvement. It's all too common to see "hard" where "difficult" should be or "hot" where "spicy" should be, for example. __________________ Happiness is a torn up thumb...

09-23-2008, 09:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
ArizonaNative Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pawnee County Posts: 333 Thanks: 14 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Oh yeah, forgot to mention this is a great idea and very generous of you, OBG! __________________ Happiness is a torn up thumb...

09-23-2008, 09:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
Catfishsteve Director Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Plattsmouth, NE Posts: 6,843 Thanks: 21 Thanked 113 Times in 35 Posts	Thanks, OBG!! Does it count if I retook 7th grade English last year? Well, I guess it would if I had passed, right? Dang!!!

09-23-2008, 09:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
GenericAngler Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the Weeping Water Posts: 1,331 Thanks: 15 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	Awesome contest for the kids. Looks like I have two in the running. __________________ And the vision was of open water. And the date was the 22nd of Feb., in the year of 2009.

09-23-2008, 10:19 PM	#16 (permalink)
south of 41 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: sea monster Posts: 2,240 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 8 Posts	“I wonder if illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup?'” Jerry Seinfield __________________ The advantage of a classical education is that it enables you to despise the wealth that it prevents you from achieving. Eighty percent of success is showing up. RECOVERING NICOTINE ADDICT SINCE April 6th 2008

09-24-2008, 08:55 AM	#17 (permalink)
Chad Director Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Gone Fishin' Posts: 6,465 Thanks: 59 Thanked 67 Times in 42 Posts	Thanks, Rog! This will be a cool contest. __________________ *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

09-24-2008, 09:02 AM	#18 (permalink)
holdemplyer Director Join Date: May 2007 Location: hunting for Kenzies MA gill!!! Certified Youth Fishing Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 2,412 Thanks: 105 Thanked 137 Times in 79 Posts	Way cool Roger! I can only guess that I can't enter even though I have the mentality of a 5th grader huh? __________________ And one of the Disciples of the Float Tube said, Feb. 22nd, 2009, there shall be open water. So it was said, so it shall be.

09-24-2008, 10:53 AM	#19 (permalink)
Huskeron Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NW Omaha Posts: 232 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	eye wood lik to inter butt IM two old; may bee mi litle bother Will get a a this simister & he can whin, jim

09-24-2008, 10:57 AM	#20 (permalink)
Slimdog 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kearney Certified Youth Fishing Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 185 Thanks: 14 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	My hat's off to you, Rog! I applaud your generosity! Slim

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