On May 13, Sebring Lodge held its third annual fishing tournament on Lake Jackson behind the lodge. The Sebring Fire Department assisted in the event, as they do with many lodge events in the community. Twenty-five boats, at an entry fee of $135 per boat, left at sunrise and returned for the 1 p.m. weigh-in. There was a five-bass limit and Allison Rapp, lodge member, and her husband, Brian, did a very professional job sending the boats out in an orderly fashion and overseeing the weigh-in. The team of Virgil Lindsey and Dave Kisner won first place with 9.87 lbs. and received $1,000; the team of Zack Marine and Zack Taylor won second place with 9.67 lbs. and received $750; and Nicholas Gribbin and Ronnie and Michael Westcott won third place with 8.13 lbs. and received $500. The second place team also won $500 for the largest bass, 5.65 lbs. While the teams were fishing, guests at the lodge participated in a bake sale, enjoyed lunch, and were entertained by local artists Shannon Reed and Earl Mandrell. The event had many sponsors, including platinum level sponsors, Bowman Steel and Florida Lake Spa. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds were deposited in the lodge’s charity account and 75% will be used toward needed repairs and upgrades for the lodge. While many of the volunteers who helped put on this tournament are not lodge members, it is a wonderful example of how Sebring Lodge partners with their community. The lodge also gained several new members from this event. 

Pictured from the Sebring Fire Department are Eric Thompson, Steven Dunn, Nicole Beard and Captain Chad Marley.

Also pictured are some of the boats in Lake Jackson.