My grown family from the period of our 25th anniversary. I thought it would be a good time to update the family photo. We celebrated a few times. Here in Charlotte with family that came in for the event, and 20+ years of friends and associates. Then we traveled up to Tidewater, to again celebrate with family and OLD friends. Then down the coast to Nags Head, to extend our stay in the coastal area and get in some deep water fishing. Harold likes to tell this story: We had planned this deep sea trip, with friends old and new, but it wasn't going to be fun unless we started catching some fish. After nearly an hour with various guys in the fighting chairs and NOTHING happening, Harold said that Flip (me) should get in the chair. Unbeknownst to the others, I have a certain "charm" with the fish. Well... less than 5 minutes in the chair, the action starts. It took several minutes to land the UGLIEST fish I ever saw, I think they called it a "wahoo". The guy's luck changed after that, and several fair sized tuna (yellow & black fin) were caught after that. I took an occasional turn, just to keep things going if there was a lull. The topper and probably the most dramatic moment was when Harold had hooked, then promptly lost within minutes of struggle, a blue marlin. It surfaced, danced, and shook off the hook, too fast to get the camera focused and the moment captured. Ah well.

The Good Luck Charm

The Gang & The Prize Bill Oss (Newport News VA), Zach Shuford, Harold, Bert Shuford (CLT NC), Flip