Fishing at Homer's Pond was a highlight for local youth on Saturday. The occasion was the annual Brandon Stroda Fishing Derby named in honor of the late Brandon Stroda.
Alex Tyson, Fatherhood Coordinator for Delivering Change, said the participants in the fishing and came and went, but in the first hour about 50 people were present. That number was increasing and fish were being caught. "We've had a few snags ( fish caught ) this morning." Bass and catfish were among the species caught.
Terrah Stroda said the best part of the day were the families. "I think that the best part of this day is that you see moms, dads, kids, community members, local leaders all coming together with the goal of being part of a fishing derby, but also part of a community event."
Prior to his death Brandon was working on a project of this type. Terrah stated that Brandon wanted to do some community events. "He wanted to make sure that dads had opportunities in our town to spend time with their children and wanted it to be supported by the fatherhood initiative. " Terrah added that Brandon would have loved the fishing derby for the reasons the event happened, "the connections between fathers and their children."