2 days before the banquet Jason says to me, "Diana, make sure you have the right directions. I've seen the signs for 'Old Dime Box' off of 21 East, but you'll want to make sure you are going to the right place because I don't know where 'Dime Box' is. It could be in a totally different part of Texas, you never know."

My reply to him was, "Jason, I didn't even know there were different 'ages' of Dime Boxes in Texas, but I do know that I have directions to 'Dime Box, Texas' where the SPJST Hall is. It's ok, don't worry, I got this." After telling him that, I THEN double checked and found out there is an Old Dime Box AND a New Dime Box, and they are only 3.5 miles apart. Shoot, so which one is considered "Dime Box"? It's ok, don't worry, I got this. :-)

I love driving TX-21 eastbound by myself, it's so fun because I get distracted by all the homes, fields, and various "moments" in small towns that I want to capture on camera. Oh my goodness, I love Texas. Focus Diana, don't miss the flashing light (also known as FM 141) where you'll take a right to get to Dime Box ... AND ... THERE IT IS!

From the moment I stepped in the door of the beautiful SPJST Lodge, I was treated with much respect and given many thanks for being there. I saw Michael Gookins, the Texas Regional Director of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and he immediately took time to introduce me to the Master of Ceremonies, Walt Isenhour, who was trying to announce another raffle winner over the microphone as I snapped a picture of him "in action."

To my surprise, Walt wanted to meet and introduce TexasHuntFish.com to everyone in the lodge RIGHT THEN over the microphone, so I did my best to give the members of RMEF an unrehearsed brief synopsis of what TexasHuntFish.com was and why it exists. Then he proceeded to graciously thank us for our contribution of co-branded t-shirts. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation continues to knock our socks off with their appreciation and professionalism in everything they do.

I was equally as impressed by the members of RMEF because they were so friendly and willing to talk to a stranger who was taking random pictures of everything and everyone. I tried to get as many photos as I could of the volunteer Committee Members, as well as the rest of the members, who were there to support the Lee County Bull Busters Chapter of RMEF. Everyone was having a great time hanging out, eating great food from Jake's Bar-B-Que, and getting in bidding wars for the generous auction items that were donated that night!

The Lee county Bull Busters Chapter throws the largest net to gross banquet in the nation!! For the past 2 years, about 92% of all the funds raised at the Dime Box banquet go directly back "in the dirt, on the ground" (as Mr. Gookins puts it) for wildlife conservation. The Lee County banquet has won several awards in the past few years for their incredible accomplishments. Great job to everyone involved!

I would like to personally thank the following people:

- Michael Gookins for all of his emails, phone conversations, and time spent contributing to the website.
- Al Swertfager and Cathey Holloway for coordinating the t-shirt swap with me.
- Curtis Christiansen for giving me "double check" directions over the phone.
- Jake's Bar-B-Que for feeding the masses with rib-eye steak, frog legs, grilled shrimp, salad, German potatoes, green beans and iced tea. Whoa mama!

Scroll through photos for your virtual tour and see the video below to hear Michael Gookins talk about upcoming events and to watch part of the live auction!

HUNT HARD. FISH SMART. EXPLORE TEXAS.

Images and Files: View all 36 photos / videos here.