By Georgia Osten
(8-4-2014) Congratulations to the Bolivar Peninsula Lions Club for another fun-packed successful event – and what a cause – School Supplies for our Bolivar Peninsula Youth! The party began at 8 am at Barefoot Bill’s when over 400 players anted up to play poker. Breakfast and Beverages were on hand at BFB’s. Everyone received a wristband to draw their first card, and most people – the first 250 – received a t-shirt and cap, koozies and a key chain. By 10 am it was time to move to the next stop, Tiki Beach Bar & Grill. Larry Flanagan lead the way as Leo Willis sang out on his bullhorn, and over 150 golf carts (to see the carts scroll to the bottom of the page) were escorted across Hwy 87 by Constable William Comeaux and more of Crystal Beach’s Finest. People cheered from their beach houses along the route and up and down the beach. The weather was as good as it gets – dry and in the high 70’s, it felt like October.

Tiki entertained us on their beautiful outdoor grounds. An abundant array of food and drinks flowing – The best mimosa I’ve ever had! Grab another poker card and off to The Eagles we moved. Games, drinks ($2 Bloody Mary:) and snacks then off to Steve’s Landing. Their lovely patio, the palapa serving drinks as fast as lightning, draw another card and we were back across the highway and headed down the beach to Stingaree Down Under. Brad Vratis’ gang greeted us with buckets and buckets of iced down beer, Stingaritas and their enticing Rum Fruity drinks. Not to mention getting to dance and carry on with the Port Arthur Playboys, what a treat!

Drawing that last card, poker hands out of this world! The Live Auction was delivered by none other than our own Larry Flanagan. The items donated by sponsors and the people around our community were from the heart. The bids were from the heart, as generous as you could imagine for a charity event. Lone Survivor donations poured in, what an amazing tribute to Veterans, Wounded Warriors, Team Red White & Blue … This community is non-stop on their support to this cause.

On behalf of the Bolivar Peninsula Lions Club, we would like to extend our thanks to all our sponsors, all the restaurants who welcomed us and gave us such wonderful places to gather and play.

Thanks for all the Golf Cart-ers for joining in the fun and their generous donations. With your help and dedication we are, once again, able to provide our school children with the necessary supplies to begin school this month. In fact, we are able to double the amount provided last year per student.
Look for us again next year, it’ll be bigger and better than ever!

Before the next Golf Cart Poker Run, catch the Lions Club again as we host our BP Lions Stingaree Slam Fishing Tournament September 27!

First Place-Best Poker Hand, Ruth Dietz with 5 Aces

Second Place-Best Poker Hand, Larry Porterfield with a Straight Flush

Third Place-Best Poker Hand, Mark Monette with 4 Aces

First Place-Best Decorated Golf Cart, “Crystal Beach Pirates”
Gary & Abby Hugenroth and Scott & Marcie Moore

Second Place-Best Decorated Golf Cart, Jeremy Mitchell

Third Place-Best Decorated Golf Cart, Donna Welsey

Traveled the Farthest Distance, Gerald Fisher from Macon, GA (793 miles)