The American Legion Post 304 Fishing Party for Special Needs Students from schools all over Carbon County was held recently along the stream running through the Germantown section of Jim Thorpe.

The students were given the opportunity to experience the thrill of the sport by getting to catch fish from the stream which is maintained and stocked with fish by the Germantown Grove Club.In addition to being able to catch fish, every student was treated to food and refreshments under a picnic pavilion.This was the 56th year for this event which hosted approximately 180 students over its two day run this year.It was all started in 1954 as an American Legion function begun by Germantown resident Phil Rodgers and others.Over the years it has developed into a co-operative effort by both the Germantown Grove Club and Jim Thorpe American Legion Post 304.Among the numerous corporate and personal sponsors who helped make the event possible, were American Legion Posts in Lansford, Palmerton, Weatherly, and Summit Hill.Also making the Fishing Party possible, after a fish kill earlier this year, was a donation of fish by the Beaverkill Trout Hatchery in remembrance of Gary Shaver.Assisting in the Fishing Party were about 20 volunteer aids from the JTAHS and another 10 from CCTI.Not only did the students from all the county have the thrill of participating in the Fishing Party, every one of them also received a bag with 4 or 5 fun items in it.Each child was also given a ticket for a drawing in which everyone went home with a prize of some kind.The smiles on their faces reflected the fun and excitement that they all experienced during their fishing and fun excursion.