To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

 The Boys & Girls Clubs in Nassau County, Florida is a hot bed for learning, for community, and for teaching our kids to be productive adults and citizens.  Thank you to our wonderful teachers, administrators, parents and volunteers who give so much of their time and talents.

At our recent fundraiser, an auction and gala, the B&GC of Nassau County raised over $148,000!

One of the most exciting items of the night was a limited number of tickets to have lunch with Bobby Cox, retired Atlanta Braves manager.  And lunch we had!  Such a wonderful opportunity to meet a baseball legend.  To listen to his baseball reminisces.  To ask questions!  To remember special moments and special people.

Bobby Cox is being inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame along with 2 very special Atlanta Braves pitchers, Tom Glavine and  Greg Maddux.

Bobby signed autographs and posed with the LLA,s (lucky luncheon attendees).

Bill Frank wore his Braves tee shirt and had Bobby sign a Braves baseball cap; one that already had a John Smoltz signature.

Dave showing off  his Bobby Cox signed picture from an earlier time.

Bill played on Bobby Cox’s first team as a manager.  He was invited to the luncheon by his daughter and son-in-law.  Bill told the story during the luncheon and received quite a welcome.

Matt Millar with his father, Ted and father-in-law, Floyd Tanner sharing a laugh with Dave.

Ann Moser, Pam Cox,  Bill Axetell and Bill Moser.

Frank and Freddie Montgomery made the trip from Madison, Mississippi.

 Frank played baseball at Mississippi State.  I told them about my Tailgating Through The South painting series.  I loved Mississippi State.  We spoke about Lee Hall, The Junction and of course MSU’s famous Edam Cheese.  My Tailgating At The Junction  painting incorporates all 3, plus cow bells.

Wish we had more time to chat.

Thank you to Barksdale and Carol Ann McKay for bringing us Bobby Cox and for the wonderful pre luncheon social.

Ann and Bill Moser, great supporters of the B&GC.  Ann is a board member, tireless worker and was chair of the benefit.   Thank you for your service.

Marie Fenn and Clara Miller, both board members.

 As you may recognize from many of my tailgating posts, Clara is the famous Aunt Vern.  Thank you Aunt Vern for your diligence and focus as chair of  the auction.

She also introduced Bobby Cox.  Aunt Vern loves her sports; football, basketball, Nascar, and baseball.

  A photo of Clara, Dave, Glo, my fabulous mother-in-law, and me dressed in our Braves ’91 World Series tee shirts.  You can see the photo  behind her.  Braves lost, but we loved them and Bobby Cox.

Vern also got a coveted signature.

A special drawing for Braves tickets

And the winner is

Bobby Cox spoke of his career as a player, as a manager and gave us interesting insights into his players and some of his decisions.

He gave us a few stories of his conversations with pitchers when he would go to the mound (which usually meant they were coming out).

After he finished sharing his stories he opened the floor for questions.  It was so interesting to hear from the true Braves baseball fans in attendance.

Bobby signed baseballs for all the attendees.  Our luncheon was February 15.   He told us he was so preoccupied with signing baseballs,  he gave his wife, Pam a Valentines Day Card and it was signed, Bobby Cox, H.O.F. #6

Thank you to Bobby Cox and Pam Cox for a delightful afternoon.  Besides visiting with us for 3 hours, Pam and Bobby also made a generous donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Nassau County.

Bobby Cox and the Boys & Girls Clubs Nassau Board Members in attendance.

Clara Miller (Aunt Vern), Ann Moser, Bobby Cox, Marie Fenn, Joan Sheppard, and Bill Gower, President of the Boys & Girls Club Foundation.

Bobby tirelessly posed with fans.

For those of you who follow my football tailgating stories, I also love baseball.  When I met Dave he watched the Atlanta Braves every night.  I knew very little of baseball, but soon became a fan.

I can tell you who played what position when I fell asleep on the couch every night waiting for the Braves to win.

Chris Chambliss played first base.  Claudell Washington, right field, followed by Brett Butler (I once sat on the first row of the upper deck and saw Brett Butler hit a home run to right field almost straight at me!).  Glenn Hubbard on second, Rafael Ramirez, shortstop.  DALE MURPHY CENTER FIELD!!  Hope he will be a Hall of Famer soon.

Bob Horner on Third, Terry Harper in left field, Bruce Benedict, catcher.

And lots of great pitchers, one of my favorite being Phil Niekro with his knuckleball.

This is what baseball does to you.  When Dave and I became engaged and had the wedding date set, he sent me flowers for Valentine’s Day.  The note said, “Even though I will be far away in Cleveland, I will always love you, Brett.”  (As in Brett Butler, lead off hitter for the Braves).

My coworkers, after reading the note spread the news through our company that someone named Brett loved me.  They wondered if I would go ahead with the wedding.

I did.