May 16th is Free Park Entry and Fishing Day.

Free Fishing & Park Entry DayDate: 5/16/2009

Time: All Day

Location: State Wide

Cost: Free Free Fishing and Park Entry Day.

No park entry permit or fishing license is required.

Buffalo Bill Recreation Area will be hosting a free fishing clinic from 10 am - 3 pm.

Alexandria State Recreation Area will be hosting a free kids fishing clinic from 9:30 am - 3 pm. Door prizes will be drawn at 3 pm and Zebco Rod and Reel will be awarded for Largest Fish, Largest Bluegill, and Largest Crappie (Youth Sixteen and Under). Fishing poles, bait and tackle will be provided to those without fishing equipment. A free hotdog cookout will be provided for participants.

Fort Robinson is offering free jeep rides, hayrack tours, and museum admission from 9 am - 4 pm. A fishing derby for children 12 and younger will be held from 9 am - 12 pm and prizes will be awarded to anyone who enters. A BBQ will be held on the lawn of Fort Rob from 12 pm - 1:30 pm.

Fremont SRA will be hosting a Kid's Fishing Day from 9 am - 12 pm at Lake #3. Food, Fun and Prizes. Bait and Tackle will be provided while supplies last. Platte River is hosting a Fishing Clinic from 9 am - 12 pm. Raffle drawings around 11 am and all kids win a prize.

Chadron State Park will be hosting a fishing clinic from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm.

Lake Minatare will be hosting a fishing clinic from 9 am - 1 pm.

Louisville State Recreation Area will be hosting a fishing clinic at Lake #1 from 9 am - 12 pm.

Eugene T Mahoney SP will be hosting a fishing clinic at the Owen Marina from 9 am - 11 am.

Ponca State Park will be hosting a fishing clinic from 9 am - 8 pm.

Two Rivers State Recreation Area will be hosting a fishing clinic at Lake #1 from 9 am - 12 pm.

Victoria Springs State Recreation Area will be hosting a fishing clinic from 9 am - 6 pm.Contact:

Also:

Nebraska Outdoor Expo - Public Day - May 16, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fort Kearny SRA. The Expo’s Public Day, May 16 will offer over 30 hands-on skill activities and demonstrations that will make the Outdoor Expo a memorable experience. Family members of all ages, are invited to participate in the FREE fun interactive event. Novice or experience, you are invited to help celebrate Nebraska’s outdoor heritage. Join us at the new location, Fort Kearny Recreation Area (SRA), (located on Highway L50A south of Kearney) for the event of the season.Public Day Activity options include:Enjoy a free day at one of Nebraska’s State Recreation Areas Safety training and shooting 20 gauge shotguns or air guns Archery shooting at bullseye or full-sized animal 3D targets Compete in the 3D trail challenge Instruction and kayaking Visiting a trapper's camp to learn about trapping history and equipment Exploring various campsites Tasting outdoor cooking Hiking and bird watching along park trails Observing hunting dog training techniques Learn turkey hunting techniques from Nebraska’s professions Visiting with conservation officers, viewing law enforcement equipment Attending educational workshops on animal and bird behavior View Nebraska raptors and snakes Learn fish cleaning and cooking techniques Compete in the Nebraska Outdoors Challenge Explore the Kids Outdoors Discovery Dome Kick-off event for Nebraska’s 2009 Great Park Pursuit Outdoor Adventure Program.

See the Nebraska Game and Parks site for more info.

Spend time with someone special outside.

Take your kids, grand kids, a niece or nephew, or neighbor kid. Or become a Big Brother or Big Sister, Teammate, or Mentor, a little of your time and good influence is all they need to develop a love of the outdoors. It's up to you to insure the future of the sports you love.

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said. "Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," Jack said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. So Jack came back for the funeral, which was uneventful as he had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away. The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time, then....Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked. "The box is gone," he said "What box?" Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said. "Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

After returning home from his trip, Jack discovered a package in his mailbox. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."

The thing he valued most...was...my time.

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.

Remember, time is one of your greatest assets. Please don't waste it.