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| JUST AS A CANDLE CANNOT BURN WITHOUT FIRE, MEN CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT A SPIRITUAL LIFE. -- BUDDHA |
This year from September 25th to the 28th, the BWA Brethren, (Boys Weekend Away) returned to glory after one
year off due to the illness with one of the member’s spouses. The six 1973 and 1974 Hayward High School
graduates got together at Bass Lake , California. Members of class of 73 were Mike Engeldinger and Scott
Paulsen, Class of 74 members were Dwight Roberts, Royce Valencia, Scott Christiansen and Scott Clare. They
have been getting together to discuss glory days for the past 24 years along with participating in sporting events
such as golf, tennis, fishing and Frisbee golf. The brethren, now all over 50, or so, have tamed a bit and decided
to add sightseeing as an activity they could enjoy too. Their scheduled activities:
Day One Golf at Riverbend Golf Course in Madera, where two time blind bogie champ was Royce Valencia, who
went on to win for a third consecutive time with a low net score of 66. Scott Paulsen was second with a low net
score of 69. The highlighted score was Scott Clare who was even par after 6 holes which was the all time best
start ever. He finished with a low gross of 84, a career low. He explained his low score was due to the current
economic conditions and being temporarily unemployed he had some extra time to improve his golf game.
Day Two All six men packed into a 200
6 Ford king cab pickup to go sightseeing in Yosemite National Park, to minimize the BWA carbon footprint in the
Valley, as well as, save $20 on a park entrance fee. Little did they know that September 26, 2009, is National Parks
Day and fees to enter all National Parks are free. They saw the trickling Bridal Veil Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome and
enjoyed lunch at the Awanhee Lodge.
Day Three Some early morning fishing for bass in Bass Lake was anticipated, however, not a fish was seen or
heard, even using a two fish finder GPS, and a black box scanner in a Custom Weld boat. This left time to relax and
watch both early and late NFL games, after which the BWA business meeting was held that included presentation
of 2009 BWA Apparel, awards for hair styles: Mike Engeldinger, nicest color, Royce Valencia, finest and thinnest,
Scott Clare, thickest and bushiest, Scott Christiansen, most forehead and Dwight Roberts, best someone else’s
hair. An update on everyone’s health was discussed along with plans for the 25th annual meeting in 2010 with
hope it will be a happy and healthful year for the brethren and their families.
Day Four Mike Engeldinger and Royce Valencia left before 6:00 am to make a business meeting in Stockton and
the Fresno area and the other brethren left shortly after. All agreed they must focus on working harder in the
coming year in their respective businesses.
year off due to the illness with one of the member’s spouses. The six 1973 and 1974 Hayward High School
graduates got together at Bass Lake , California. Members of class of 73 were Mike Engeldinger and Scott
Paulsen, Class of 74 members were Dwight Roberts, Royce Valencia, Scott Christiansen and Scott Clare. They
have been getting together to discuss glory days for the past 24 years along with participating in sporting events
such as golf, tennis, fishing and Frisbee golf. The brethren, now all over 50, or so, have tamed a bit and decided
to add sightseeing as an activity they could enjoy too. Their scheduled activities:
Day One Golf at Riverbend Golf Course in Madera, where two time blind bogie champ was Royce Valencia, who
went on to win for a third consecutive time with a low net score of 66. Scott Paulsen was second with a low net
score of 69. The highlighted score was Scott Clare who was even par after 6 holes which was the all time best
start ever. He finished with a low gross of 84, a career low. He explained his low score was due to the current
economic conditions and being temporarily unemployed he had some extra time to improve his golf game.
Day Two All six men packed into a 200
6 Ford king cab pickup to go sightseeing in Yosemite National Park, to minimize the BWA carbon footprint in the
Valley, as well as, save $20 on a park entrance fee. Little did they know that September 26, 2009, is National Parks
Day and fees to enter all National Parks are free. They saw the trickling Bridal Veil Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome and
enjoyed lunch at the Awanhee Lodge.
Day Three Some early morning fishing for bass in Bass Lake was anticipated, however, not a fish was seen or
heard, even using a two fish finder GPS, and a black box scanner in a Custom Weld boat. This left time to relax and
watch both early and late NFL games, after which the BWA business meeting was held that included presentation
of 2009 BWA Apparel, awards for hair styles: Mike Engeldinger, nicest color, Royce Valencia, finest and thinnest,
Scott Clare, thickest and bushiest, Scott Christiansen, most forehead and Dwight Roberts, best someone else’s
hair. An update on everyone’s health was discussed along with plans for the 25th annual meeting in 2010 with
hope it will be a happy and healthful year for the brethren and their families.
Day Four Mike Engeldinger and Royce Valencia left before 6:00 am to make a business meeting in Stockton and
the Fresno area and the other brethren left shortly after. All agreed they must focus on working harder in the
coming year in their respective businesses.
| "RAINED OUT AND STILL ALL IN!" BASSCAPDE 2009 |
| On Friday, May 1, 2009, local Castro Valley fishermen took off for their annual event of enjoying four days of fishing on beautiful Lake Shasta. This year all the regulars showed up even though the weather report looked less than optimal conditions. The locals were: Royce Valencia, Randy Branaugh, Guy Warren, Dwight Roberts and son, Dustin, Dalton Jimenez and Jeff Morgan. Others from the 925 area code were Scott Clare and Mark Scheidt, who left the Danville area right on time, as per the Trip Itinerary, at 8:00 a.m. They all stopped at Bill and Kathy’s Restaurant in Williams for chicken fried steak and eggs before continuing on to Phil’ s Propeller Shop at Lake Shasta for any needed fishing gear. As they were unloading all the stuff from the truck onto the luxurious 55 foot long Escapade Houseboat rented from Jones Valley Marina some light sprinkles started. It quickly turned into ever present moisture but the basscapaders decided to continue on with their short 4 day adventure. The rain continued for 40 straight hours without a let up. The hearty fisherman now dressed like crab fisherman from the popular TV show “World’ s Most Deadliest Catch”, continued fishing as they road up the Pitt River. First day’s results 14 rainbow trout and 35 spotted bass. The biggest rainbow was caught by Randy Branaugh, a 4.5 pound lunker on a 4 pound test line. Day Two The weather let up for six hours and the fisherman enjoyed partially clouded skies and the fishing slowed. They caught 13 rainbow trout, and 22 catch and release bass. By 5:00 that evening it started sprinkling again and turned into heavier drops and then a consistent curtain of continuous pelting drops with no place to dry off their clothing, boots and equipment. The soaked fisherman huddled on the covered rear deck to discuss the day’s events, trade stories and perhaps sip an adult beverage. Day Three The fishing was light, 2 trout, and 20 catch and release bass. Little did the basscapaders realize, but a much bigger storm was coming that evening. They enjoyed a tasty dinner of hand cut barbecue steaks, sautéed mushrooms, grilled corn on the cob, salsa flavored salad, and lemon cake. They all relaxed in the kitchen area next to the imitation fireplace to watch the James Bond 007 movie “Quantum of Solace.” Heavy rain continued to pelt the houseboat all evening. All in all, it was agreed this was one of our best and most memorable fishing trips. The “Gold Hook Award” went to Randy Branaugh for catching the biggest trout and his boat captain Scott Clare. These hearty fishermen certainly experienced what was reported in the newspaper: The Shasta Lake area had 108 hours of straight rain and Lake Shasta had risen 4 feet in 5 days! |
FISH
ON!
ON!
| CWA |
| On 03/12/09 BWA Brethren once again attended the California Waterfowl Association Dinner at the Moose Lodge in Castro Valley. In attendance this year was Scott Clare and Dustin Roberts. Other attendee's who enjoyed the event from the front most table were Daniel Beck and Willie Arnold, both of which had not shot a duck in the last two years, come to think of it none of us had. Oh well, great to be with good friends and family at such a charitable event. |
| The Castro Valley CALIFORNIA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION DINNER March 18, 2010 |
| Give what you can, when you can! That seemed to be the motto for the 150+ contributors at the Annual California Waterfowl Association Dinner in Castro Valley. Local business men and women gathered at Willow Park Golf Course early Thursday night to enjoy the event. BWA Members Dwight Roberts and Scott Clare were accompanied by their two first born sons, Dustin Roberts and Hunter Clare, to support the CWA. Everyone had a great time playing games and chatting together as the night wore on. Eventually the time came to sit down and eat. To our surprise the food was fantastic, apparently the owners purchased a Louisiana smoker, making their blackened chicken and beef brisket a treat for everyone. In fact, it was so good that some of the CWA patrons didn't waste any of their time on what seemed to become the insignificant act of chewing before they swallowed! Delicious! After dinner the raffle and live auction began. Brian Morrison of B.A. Morrison Heating and Air Conditioning won a Sig Assault Rifle right out the gate. As they say, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good! Finally after all of the donated items were auctioned and raffled off the attendees received some small desserts and were sent home with full belly's, good memories, and good company. |
"UP TOP AND READY TO DROP" |
| BASSCAPADE 2010 |
| Having arrived precisely on time the first order of business was to load the 55 foot long, two story, Escapade houseboat and launch the 4 fishing boats to proceed into the Pit River. Fishing was always good in the upper end of the Pit when the water was low but this year the playing field was two times larger than previous years. After docking the houseboat in a cove the fisherman began to pre fish the area. The radar screens on the boats looked like there were loads of fish. Dustin Roberts steps off the houseboat with his fishing pole to tie the boat to a tree, makes his first cast and hooks his first bass of the trip. First cast, First Fish! This could be a good weekend. Saturday, May 1st, the anglers head out early. Given the height of the water they realize it will take some time to locate the spot where they caught fish last year. The Custom Weld Captain, Scott Clare with deckhands, Randy Branaugh, Guy Warren and Dalton Jiminez head out. |
| At dawn, on Friday the 30th of April, ten Castro Valley anglers awoke with the anticipation of their 7th annual Basscapade adventure to Lake Shasta! With promises of fishing for trout and bass, shooting clay targets, and eating great food, the men eagerly gathered and were soon on their way. Wasting little or no time the four truck, four boat caravan was quick to arrive at Jones Valley Resort but not before their two mandatory stops. The first at Bill and Kathys Diner in Dunnigan, for chicken fried steak and eggs, followed by the second, at Phil’s Propeller Shop for the latest update on Lake Shasta fishing. Delighted to arrive at Lake Shasta the anglers were surprised to find the lake so full. With the waterline only 5 feet from the trees and the lake rising daily it was fair to say that the guys were in for a treat! To the anglers this was a welcome surprise. A full lake means lots of water and to a state suffering from a couple years of drought, it is good news! Another lovely sight was Mount Lassen and Mount Shasta, covered with snow, dominating the scenery surrounding the lake. |
| The weather was 40 degrees with a water temperature of 54 and to their relief, sunny skies overhead, unlike last year where it rained for 108 hours straight. Within two hours they returned, not only unable to find their fishing hole which was now 70 feet underwater but also without as much as a bite !The Bay Runner boat captain Willie Arnold, a seasoned trout fisherman for over forty years and his deckhand, Dwight Roberts, never got a look. Willie, returning to Basscapade after a 4 year hiatus, wanted to show the boys that he hadn’t forgot how to catch fish but that just wasn't going to happen today. After enjoying smoked pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, asparagus and homemade applesauce, the Anglers decided to move the houseboat in the morning to the Dry Creek area located next to the Shasta Dam, 3 hours away. Fishing that evening looked promising. Bass fisherman, Royce Valencia and his partner Jeff Morgan, took the high performance Javalin bass boat and caught several small spotted bass using drop shot, shaky head and shinko techniques. |
| Sunday morning began early with the new found opportunities of the Dry Creek arm beckoning the anglers to give it a fresh start. To their surprise a trout tournament had begun this same morning and the arm was full of boats. Pressure on the fish would be heavy but the experience of Castro Valley anglers was genuinely second to none. Before long Captain Mark Scheidt and his deckhand Dwight Roberts boarded the Caravelle, Mark’s hybrid fishing and ski boat with it new state of the art 3D fish finder! The two ran watermelon dodgers with red cripplers but nothing seemed to work. It didn’t take long for Mark to make the decision to bring out old faithful, a large night crawler trailing 150ft off the back on the surface. Not a second later “BAM!” fish on! Word spread quickly through the Dry Creek arm and before long everyone was catching fish. Quickly the disappointment from the day before was overcome by pride and laughter as the anglers told each other there new fish stories always keeping in mind the saying by Captain Willie Arnold, “Never Let the Truth Get in the Way of a Good Fish Story!” |
| Final fish count for Basscapade 2010 was 32 trout, 5 land locked salmon, over 40 (catch and release) bass and a collection of fish stories that will never be told the same way twice! |
| CELEBRATING 25 YEARS! |
| Going strong after 25 years . . . . On the eve of celebrating their 25th annual BWA gathering the six founding members slept restlessly with the anticipation of the weekend to come. The date was September 24th and the attending members were Scott Christiansen, Scott Clare, Mike Engledinger, Scott Paulsen, Dwight Roberts and Royce Valencia. Who are the BWA? Founded in 1985 the BWA which stands for Boys Weekend Away is a group of Hayward High Graduates (Class of 1974) that have stayed friends throughout the years and have all agreed to set aside one weekend a year to celebrate the longevity and strength of their friendship. This weekend would be different from the others because this weekend the BWA would be celebrating their 25th Anniversary! To honor this momentous occasion the BWA decided to choose a venue which would accommodate all their very active lifestyles. A motion was put forth by original member Scott Paulsen to perhaps rent a cabin on Pine Mt. Lake near Yosemite and being the sportsmen that are all members quickly approved this motion into BWA history. Arrangements were made and before they knew it the group had acquired a gorgeous cabin with a breath taking view of the glimmering water of Pine Mt. Lake and a private dock covered with the remnants of the native geese. The group never took a break the entire stay organizing and participating in a large array of competitive sports including, Frisbee Golf, Fishing, Poker, Pool, and an intense Golf Tournament. This year’s winner at golf for the first time was Dwight Roberts shooting 87 with a net score of 63, to receive the stand alone perpetual trophy a BWA tradition. On Saturday brethren Royce Valencia once again adorned the life long members with a new 25th Anniversary addition polo’s. Colorfully decorated with their personal insignia and recently inducted motto “BFL” (Brothers For Life) the polo shirts were a huge hit and were worn throughout the remainder of the weekend. Special guest Eddie Pestana was fortunate enough to receive a members only uniform upon the decision of acting president and founder Royce Valencia, which he proudly accepted with a smile. Also in attendance was Brethern Dwight Roberts’s son Dustin Roberts who was awarded the honorary documentarian and sue chief duties for this momentous occasion. As mandated by tradition the BWA annual business meeting was held and everyone was put in a very sentimental mood as they watched a DVD made by documentarian, Dustin Roberts, who put together previous years’ photos for a slide show presentation of BWA events. The show was complimented be period appropriate music including music by: Boston, Journey, Lynard Skinner, and Tower of Power. It is amazing for them to think about all the changes that have happened since this group started in 1986, and then be updated on what’s going on currently. Some are counting heads to confirm how many of their grown children are still living at home. Not so for one of the brethren who has 3 children, all under 10 years old, the youngest ready to start pre- school. For another, all 3 of his children are in college at the same time, another has 2 sons already settled in their jobs, one a police officer and the other making a career in the Coast Guard. Another has 2 children, one in nursing school and the other in high school, and another reported the youngest of his 3 children graduated from college this year and each are on their own, sort of, in Phoenix and San Francisco. Lastly, a brethren with 2 children, became a first time grandfather with the birth of a little gem named Lilly, who loves her “Papa”. After a period of reflection the Brethern decided to close the weekend on positive note with the thoughts of years past and anticipation of years to come. A parting mention was made about continuing to enjoy the good times in their golden years and a reminder for each to thank their families for their support of this special time away each year. |
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