61st Rodeo tagged a success - Get on board for Destin Fishing Rodeo 62

More than 75 people turned out for the general membership meeting of the Destin Fishing Rodeo Thursday night at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar.

“We had a good turnout,” for the 2009 Rodeo, said Rodeo Chairman Duane Clark, despite the red snapper closure and the shutting down of the amberjack fishery the last couple of weeks.

The fishing Rodeo, which is one of the longest running events in Destin, takes place the entire month of October and requires a lot of volunteer and community backing.

After thanking all those in attendance for their support, Clark gave a rundown of some of the success the Rodeo had in 2009.

The Rodeo awarded more than $75,000 in cash and prizes, sold more than 4,000 T-shirts, and awarded more than $5,000 in scholarships for Miss Destin contestants.

Eighty-seven charter boats and 150 private boats participated in the Rodeo and weighed in 776 fish, taking home 641 awards.

The adults weren’t the only winners, 803 fishing rods were given to kids during the month and 107 children participated in the Rootin’ Tootin’ fishing event at the Okaloosa Island Pier.

“October is a fun time and a great time to be in Destin,” said Helen Donaldson, executive director of the Rodeo. She encouraged those in attendance to be on the lookout for potential sponsors for the various divisions in the 62nd Rodeo.

The general membership also selected three new board of directors, to fill the slots left of outgoing directors Becky McFarland, John Ledbetter and Ann White.

White, however, was again selected to serve on the board along with newcomers John Brashears and Isabele Graef.

White, who has been a member of the Rodeo for 14 years and on the board for four, owns her own company.

Brashears, owner of For Reel Photos, has been the official Rodeo photographer for the past two years.

Graef, along with her husband Capt. Mike Graef, own the charter boat Huntress and has been a member of the Rodeo for the past four years. She is currently the treasurer for the Destin Charter Boat Association.

Joe Bettinger will be the chairman for the 62^nd Rodeo and Capt. Jim Green, vice chairman/chairman elect. White was selected to serve as treasurer. Others making up the board of directors are Tim Broom, Duane Clark, Amber Hill, Tina Harbuck and Bud Miller.