To the Editor:

The incredible success of last month’s Bassmaster Elite Series tournament and Tastes and Talents of the North Country Festival in Waddington is due to the work of many, many people.

Our core planning team was assisted at every turn by individuals, businesses, volunteers, community leaders and community members of all ages.

Across the county and region, we joined forces and the result was a fantastic four-day event that set the national attendance record for an Elite series tournament.

We want to say thank you to the people of St. Lawrence County, the Village of Waddington, and, especially, the many folks who volunteered before and during the tournament and festival.

Thanks, too, to those sponsors who helped make it all happen: the St. Lawrence County Legislature; FISHCAP; St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce; Quality Inn, Massena; St. Lawrence County IDA; St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency; Daily Courier Observer, St. Lawrence Plaindealer, The Journal; Frenchie’s; Walmart; New York Power Authority; Akwasasne Mohawk Casino; Community Bank; and North Country Savings Bank.

Thank you also to the Waddington Ultimate Fishing Town Committee; Canton-Potsdam Hospital; St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union; Alcoa; YES-FM 96.7; Q Country 102.9; PAC 98.7; 95.3 The Wolf; 92.7 WQTK; ESPN 1400; Massena Savings & Loan; SeaComm Federal Credit Union; Village of Waddington; Town of Waddington; Blevins Seaway Motors; Cape Air; JillyBean Designs; and the Town of Massena.

Thank you to Young Explosives Fireworks; Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority; Mort Backus & Sons; JC’s River Run; Murray’s Old Irish Inn; The Pub; Econo Lodge; VFW Post 1231; Riverview Motel; The Bear’s Den; Michele and Paul Jones; Hosmer’s Marina; Steve’s Stop-n-Shop; Uppstrom’s Bait & Tackle; Rogue Decals; Commercial Press; Massena Bait & Tackle; Kunoco; Off the Hook Bed & Breakfast; and Gingerbread House.

Thank you to River Myst Winery; Seaway Trail Carwash; Alex’s Ice; Penski’s; First Niagara Bank; Town of Brasher; Twin Brooks Golf Course; Hurlbut’s Tents; Ogdensburg City School District; Howie’s; Massena Memorial Hospital; The Cutting Edge Salon; Chad Hoover/Kayak Bassin; Jim and Dot Locy; Waddington Masonic Lodge; Grub Tub Concessions; and Harrison A. Rogers Insurance Agency.

Bob Giordano, Jo Ann Roberts, Bill Dashnaw, Janet Otto-Cassada,

Billy Hosmer, Alison Power, Claire Murphy, Jill Kubik

The Bassmaster Tournament Planning Group