Nine-year-old Noah Smith represents at least the fourth generation in a long line of fishermen and the first among them to catch a gar.

But he earned more than just family bragging rights when he landed the 3.17-pound, 29 3/16-inch spotted gar June 30 from Crooked Lake in Steuben County. He earned a spot in the state record books.

“It feels awesome,” said Smith, who is from Delaware, Ohio.

Smith’s catch was not particularly large for its species. Spotted gar can grow up to 6 pounds. But his entry came at an opportune time. The Indiana Record Fish Program just recently began recognizing the different species within the gar family. In the past, the program grouped shortnose gar, spotted gar, and the much larger longnose gar into the same category.

Smith’s entry was the first submission for a spotted gar. On Aug. 17, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources sent Smith a letter certifying his record fish. How long the record will stand is unclear, but the family plans to enjoy it while it lasts.

“Nobody in our family has ever caught a gar period,” Noah’s father, Ryan Smith, said. “To catch that one and catch a state record is pretty cool.”

Smith baited his hook with a minnow and tied his fishing rod to a dock, letting it stay there overnight. When he woke up the next morning, he reeled in the fish.

He plans on mounting the fish on the wall in his bedroom.

Here is what is on the agenda:

1.  Grace Point Golf Outing–Saturday, September 19th. We are playing at Delaware Golf Club.  I am excited about our team:

• Me
• Bud Kalbaugh (one of Isaac’s baseball coaches)
• Jay Coane
• ???  (I had another one of Isaac’s baseball coaches but he is sick)

I am simply looking forward to hanging out with these guys and perhaps meeting new people at the outing.

2.  EPIC Couch Races–Sunday, September 20th from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.  We have teams of four students who have worked over the past month putting together some amazing couch racers.  I am looking forward to this crazy event.  Anyone who wants to join in on watching is encouraged to show up.  I may even put you in as a judge!

3.  Vacation.  Alright–it is actually next weekend, but I am SO looking forward to it.  Anna and I are sending the kids to Indiana with my mom and dad and we are heading to Amish Country here in Ohio.  We have an awesome cottage we are staying in and I am looking forward to just relaxing and getting away with Anna.  It has been a rough couple of weeks so this in much needed!

Hoping your week-end is as enjoyable as mine!

• When:  Sunday, August 9th.  5:00-7:00 pm
• Where:  Colony Lanes–Delaware (451 Pennsylvania Ave.)
• Who:  6th-12th graders
• Cost:  $12.00 (includes 2 games, shoes, all you can eat pizza and pop)

BRING A FRIEND!!!!!

Please arrive at the bowling alley around 4:50 pm for check-in.  Parents are welcome to participate. 

Here he is pitching to his friend Tristin.   This was the first batter he faced.  The video starts with the pitching count being 2-1.

He has been pitching.

His first outing as a pitcher in a real game didn’t go so well.  It was mostly my fault since I kept him up the night before at the EPIC Man Camp.  He was totally exhausted.  But he did get one strike out in the inning he pitched.

Today, he pitched again.  Today it was a different story.  Our starting pitcher, Ryan, pitched two inning and only allowed 3 runs!  Isaac pitched the third inning.  He struck out the first batter in just four pitches and caught the batter looking on all of them.  The second batter hit the ball.  He walked the third batter and struck out the last two.  In total, he faced five batters and struck out three of them.  Two of them he caught looking.  He allowed no runs!!!! 

His team was then up to bat and they mercy-ruled the team in that inning with a final score of 19-3.  It was there first win!

Isaac walked all three times up to bat and scored all three times as well.  He ended up with two steals.

I have found I love watching my kids play baseball!!

Noah did great!!!  He had great hits all three innings (that is all they play).  He not only got on base all three times but also scored all three times as well.

Here are pic Luke’s mom, Brooke, took (Luke is the boy in the blue jersey behind Noah when he is on base):

Thanks Brooke for the pictures!!!

Isaac hopefully plays his first game tomorrow since Tuesday’s game was rained out.  We will hopefully post pics of his game tomorrow.

Anyway, that is not the weird part.  The weird part is when we were heading back to the car after seeing Cailin Coane perform during the halftime show (GOOD JOB Cailin!!).  I happened to see a Smart car sitting in a driveway as we were walking by and an older gentleman was getting ready to put it in his garage.  He asked my the score of the game, which I told him and that struck up about a one hour conversation with this 80 year old man.  By the end of the night we ended up in this man’s living room talking to him and his wife of 58 years!!!

I found out that one of his son teaches 8th grade at Orange Middle and is a minister.

Through further conversation, I found out this 80 year old man and his wife started a business called “Whiteside Manufacturing.”  I got online and here is the write up about the history of the business:

“Established in 1954 by Robert and Mary Lue Whiteside, Whiteside Manufacturing Company, Inc. has been providing the world with innovation in mechanic’s creepers and seats for half a century. Robert started the company in a two-car garage on $800.00 he earned from refereeing high school basketball games. Fifty years later, the Whiteside Manufacturing facility encompasses almost 100,000 sq. ft. with on-site warehouses, shipping, and production facilities, and offices.

The mission of Robert Whiteside in 1954 was to supply the most professional, long lasting, most innovative tools for the professional user. After 50 years, that same mission is still Whiteside’s quest. With over 150 different models of creeper, seats, and related items, Whiteside Manufacturing Company, Inc. proudly stands above the competition!

Whiteside Manufacturing is now in it’s third generation of family leadership. Kirt and Terry Whiteside are the sons of Robert and Mary Lue, and Tenille Whiteside-Schoonover and Cortney Whiteside-Mays (Kirt’s daughters) are the latest to follow Robert’s vision. With quality and innovation in mind, Whiteside Manufacturing Company, Inc. will continue on its path of success long into the future.”

The whole experience with this couple was weird but truly amazing.  I’m not sure why God allowed us to cross paths but after talking, swapping addresses and being offered to stop by anytime, I have no doubt that God has something in store.

I believe we will be in the far left youth group area. 

The cost of this Man Camp is $10.00.  The cost covers camping, snacks and breakfast.

Saturday morning we will head over to the Smith’s house to help a neighbor load up a moving truck and then get our fill of pizza. 

Items to bring:

• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Fishing Pole
• Tackle/bait
• $10.00
• Bible

More information to come!!!!