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FOUR OF A KIND for the win
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The 8s have it in the 18th annual charity event STORY & PHOTOS BY BETSY ILER
In its 18th year, Lake Martin Lions Club neared the $400,000 mark in its cumulative total of monies raised for local charities, Russell Marine President Dave Commander told participants at this year’s poker run event on July 17. The civic organization’s signature event, and a favorite around the lake, the annual poker run dispatches boaters to five marinas, collecting one card from each to build a poker hand. At The Ridge Marina, the final stop on the run, boaters are treated to a picnic supper, live music and a chance for more prizes. They also are offered the opportunity to purchase additional cards to better their hands. Each player is issued a key that may or may not open a treasure chest filled with gift certificates for goods and services. Playing the game is serious business, as the winning hand goes home with a check for $2,000. Second and third place hands also win substantial amounts of money, as does the holder of the worst hand. A prize also is awarded to the best costumed crew and decorated boat. While the costume component takes home
48 LAKE
Four 8s won the big money at the Lake Martin Lions Poker Run this year
$600, the true prize in this competition is bragging rights, as the winning crew receives accolades for originality and creativity, as well as execution. Though not all crews choose a theme and dress the part, those that do get a lot of attention at Buford and Melissa Minor each stop on the route. went home happy This year, some 17 teams after Melissa drew dressed up for the poker run, the winning making the judges work hard to poker hand choose a winner. At the end of the day, the Lakestock crew – a parody on the infamous Woodstock concert – won the bragging rights, but they had some stiff competition. Honorable mentions were made for the Gangastas boat, which was crewed by fedora-wearing suits bearing inflatable tommy guns and pearl-clad dames in short skirts. A crew of teachers won recognition for turning their boat into a school bus, and the entire cast of ’toon TV’s Sponge Bob Square Pants coasted into the docks blaring the beloved character’s theme song. One creative crew entered as the Lake Martin Landmarks, with each crew member depicting a beloved lake location, including Goat Island, Doctor’s Island, Pirate Island, the Lake Martin Amphitheater and the Yellow top Ice Cream Shop.
AUGUST 2021
