Friday, September 19, 2014

President Carter a Fly Fisherman??

Cathey and I and our good friends Clyde and Gloria decided to make a trip to Plains Georgia this past weekend to attend Jimmy Carter’s Sunday school class. He usually conducts a class a few times a month at his small church just off the main highway going through Plains. He is still a very active former President at age 90.
This picture was taken just outside the church right after the service was concluded. There was quite a line of individuals waiting to have their picture taken with Mr. Jimmy as some call him there in Plains. It's not everyday one gets to shake the hand of a former President. We all felt really honored to be in his presence.
Maranatha Baptist Church is packed on Sundays when the former President is in attendance.
The family home where Mr. Jimmy spent his early years
Air condition in the winter and plenty of heat in the summer
Chicken House
Family store ran by Mr. Jimmy’s father
 
Main Street of Plains with all the stores restored to their original state. President Carter helped restore all the buildings with generous donations over the years.
One of the many freestone streams located in the mountains of Ellijay Georgia where the former President and his wife own a cabin. He still fly fishes in the area and he stills ties his own flies. I asked to see some of his flies in one of the stores we visited but I was told by the individual behind the counter that all his flies are auctioned off and not on display. Most of his flies go at auction for as much as 200.00 or more and all the money goes to the needy in the community of Plains.
 
Mr. Jimmy is also an accomplished woodworker, in fact, he has built a lot of the furniture that is in their modest ranch-style home in Plains.  He and Rosalynn are still active in Habitat for Humanity, which helps individuals in need of shelter because of natural disasters.
I will end this post by saying after meeting the former President, I feel there is still hope for all of use older guys who feel we may be over the hill; at 90 this man is truly remarkable!!!

13 comments:

  1. Bill, I have known of Mr Carters exploits with a fly rod for some time. I believe he has fished the same waters in Maine as I have.

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  2. Lester
    I didn't know about the Mongolia trip, outstanding!! Thanks for the comment

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  3. Howard
    Thanks Howard, really a great trip, and not far from our house at 4 hours. Thanks for the comment

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  4. Alan
    I didn't know he has fish that had fished that far east, really awesome!! Thanks for the comment

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  5. Bill, this is a remarkable post. Thanks for sharing your tour of the former Presidents home town. Wonderful to know that he continues to do as much as he can. Impressed that he still ties his own flies at his age. You and your wife certainly had a wonderful trip and will have some fond memories.

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  6. Mel
    This is a remarkable man at his age and most of all he is still as sharp as can be. His Sunday school lesson was flawless. Thanks for the comment

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  7. Bill - thanks for posting this! President Carter always impressed me as a geniune and humble man. How was the Sunday school class?

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  8. Mark
    The lesson was presented in a realistic fashion in that he related everyday experiences to the scripture he was presenting, which made it interesting. Thanks for the comment

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  9. A pretty neat tour there, Bill. I think Carter received my first vote for President. Remarkable achievements, and still going strong. Thanks for this.

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  10. A most honorable man. His work with Habitat for Humanity is stellar. Nice looking couple in that photo with Jimmy C.

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  11. Mark
    Yes he is a very humble man and extremely genuine. Cathey and I were glad we got to meet him and listen to him speak. Yes his work with Habitat is unsurpassed. Thanks for the comment

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  12. Walt
    Yes he is still going strong, even heading out on that Monday to visit Google Headquarters and then onto Kansas. Thanks for the comment

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