Fundraising record for Rose Holland Trout Derby

By Editor | October 9, 2024 |

Photo by Shari Harris
From left, Caleb Berg, Tammy Thompson, Marcy White, Donnie White, David Dudley, Darlene Griffith and John Ston spent many hours making sure this year’s Rose Holland Trout Derby was a weekend of fun and giving for the park’s many guests.

By Shari Harris

Publisher

The annual Rose Holland Trout Derby fundraiser for the American Heart Association was held last weekend at Montauk State Park. Between the derby, car show, bake sale, Wilma Wisdom plaque and other donations, $16,829 was raised, the most ever at the event.

Photo by Shari Harris
This Chevy Silverado caught the eye of many and won the Park Choice award at Friday’s car show at Montauk State Park.

Darlene Griffith and her crew registered fishers for the derby Friday evening, while many visitors and locals enjoyed the car show across from the lodge, hosted by Current River Cruisers. Dan Maxson, of Wright City, won the award for the longest distance traveled to the show, and Russ Otis’ red and white Chevy Silverado won the Park Choice award. The car show contributed $2,425.52 to the grand total raised.

Photo by Shari Harris
Dan Maxson, left, traveled the longest distance and Russ Otis, right, owns the Park Choice winning truck.

Saturday activities included kids’ activities, a history walk, a night hike, and live music at the lodge, among lots of fishing by those hoping to get a tagged fish.

Derby prizes were awarded at noon on Sunday. Many took home attendance prizes, and 64 prizes were given for tagged fish.

This year’s Slippery Liz I trophy went to Philip Minttler, who had the lowest tag returned. The Slippery Liz II trophy went to Ken Noce, who had the heaviest fish at 9.4 lbs. Lisa Brenneke had the women’s heaviest fish at 2.15 lb, and Garrett Wilfong had the heaviest brown trout at 5 lbs. Trophies for Kids’ Heaviest Stringer went to Caleb Byrd, 1st place; Emmett Stafford, 2nd place; Cole Andrewpetty, 3rd place; and Gavin Steinhorn, 4th place.

Photo submitted
Garrett Wilfong, of Des Arc, Mo., brought in this 5-pound brown trout during the weekend derby.

Lisa Napoli Meagher, Field Operations/Development Director for the American Heart Association, was present for the event. She commented on how much she enjoyed coming to the derby, and complimented all for their hospitality and generosity.

Families can make a donation to have a name added to the Wilma Wisdom plaque in memory of a loved one. Among those added this year were “Doc” Dan Hatch, Jim Oligschlaeger, and Greg Parker, of Licking. The plaque donations totaled $1,416 this year.