“We Are PRINT in Cleveland County”
November 11th
www.shelbyinfo.com Our 42ND Year • Issue No. 45 • November 6, 2025
704-484-1047
Locals participate in 42nd Annual VIP Fishing Tournament Local visually impaired/blind anglers attend fishing tournament held at the NC Outer Banks Submitted by Julie Weathers Shelby Lions Club Cleveland County’s Social Worker for the Blind, Lucy Plyler, took three Visually Impaired Persons (VIPs) to the North Carolina Outer Banks for the 42nd Annual VIP Fishing Tournament. The group from Cleveland County had a great day of fishing off Jennette’s Pier. One member of the group, Lizzie Hopper caught a 14-inch sea mullet. Delores Lattimore caught a nice size spot, but the fish just weren’t biting. Danny Marble chose to fish from the Miss Oregon Inlet head boat and caught a variety of eight fish. The NC VIP Fishing Tournament opens up three piers and two head boats to about 350 visually impaired persons (VIPs) from across the state. Only fish caught on the participant’s line and reeled in by the participant during the established time limit can be counted toward participant’s total points in the tournament. Volunteers are only permitted to bait hooks and cast the line into the ocean. Points are given based on the type of fish caught. The annual event is sponsored by the First Flight, Nags Head, Manteo, Wanchese, Columbia, Currituck, Lower Currituck and Plymouth Lions Clubs and attracts over 350 blind and visually impaired individuals and over 300 volunteers from all over North Carolina to the Outer Banks each October. The North Carolina Lions VIP Fishing Tournament is a nonprofit organization celebrating its 42nd Anniversary this year. The project brings in participants
for three days of recreation, fellowship, and independent living workshops designed to help visually impaired persons (VIPs). It is the largest gathering of visually impaired in North Carolina and is believed to be the largest event of its kind in the world. The VIP program touches the lives of a small percentage of those persons who are attempting to conform to a world of the sighted. Tournament officials recognize the need to build support and a financial base for the project. In-kind services secured locally and statewide help offset the annual costs. Fundraisers, such as the adopt-a-fisherman program, contributions and smaller projects cover expenses of the annual event that can exceed $400,000. Participants arrive on the Outer Banks on a Monday, are housed in local hotels, have six meals, go fishing on two head boats and four ocean fishing piers for a day of recreation, participate in seminars and independent living training, and visit with vendors. The closing awards banquet on Wednesday offers motivation and awards. The project has grown from a local tournament serving 12 blind children in 1982 to the 350 participants in 2025. While Cleveland County’s VIPs didn’t bring home a trophy for their efforts, they gained valuable experience and built lasting relationships. Many thanks to the Shelby Lions Club who provided funding and to Beaver Dam Baptist Church’s own Pastor Tom Runyon and co-driver Doug Weathers, who helped make it possible for the group from Cleveland County to go on this trip. They drove many hours and miles, making it a fun trip for the group. For more information about the Division of Services for the Blind, contact Lucy Plyler, Social Worker for the Blind at: 980-4846106.
Left to right: Tom Runyon, Doug Weathers, Lizzie Hopper, Dorothy Hopper, Lucy Plyler, Danny Marble, Chandra Marble, Helen Craig and Delores Lattimore. (Photos by Lucy Plyler)
A volunteer assists Delores Lattimore with her catch. Chandra and Danny Marble, all smiles, prepare to go fishing.
©CommunityFirstMedia
ED STEIBEL IMPORTS.com
1016 COLLEGE AVE. • SHELBY, NC “Quality Used Hondas” (Hwy 150 Near Boiling Springs)
704-487-5520
* Down Payments are 20% or less of cash price, O.A.C.
2007 HONDA ACCORD
2009 HONDA ACCORD LX-P
2015 H0NDA CRV LX
2011 TOYOTA TACOMA
2007 CHEVY SILVERADO 4X4
Value PKG., 4-Cyl., Auto.
4-Cyl., Auto., Alloy Wheels.
4-Cyl., Auto., 156K Miles.
V/6, Extended Cab, 184K Miles.
LT1, Crew Cab,159K Miles.
$
$
$
$
5,600
5,900
$
11,300
12,500
12,800
2017 HONDA CIVIC EX 4-Cyl., Auto., 125K Miles.
$
13,567