Toledo Bend Lake Association

BASS UNLIMITED

POSTERS

Bass Unlimited Posters & Unveiling Gala

Associated with the Bass Unlimited Banquet, each year the Toledo Bend Lake Association has a theme painting commissioned by a local artist. Copies of this art work in poster form are made and sold to raise money. These posters are available for purchase at the Annual Poster Unveiling Gala, at the Bass Unlimited Banquet, at our regular meetings and by mail order.

In 2006, Myra & Ben Smith, perennial poster coordinators, asked the TBLA board to have a special unveiling gala and auction for these special works of art. They also proposed that we invite special guests from about the state as well as TBLA members and the public. The board agreed and the poster unveiling and auction gala has become a part of the Bass Unlimited Banquet funding raising activity.

The initial Gala took place on Thursday, May 4, 2006 at the Zwolle-Toledo Lions Club facility. It replaced our regularly scheduled membership meeting. The painting, "Fishing with Grandpa" was done by Linda Henson. Also on hand were other works of art donated as auction items by the 3 previous year's poster artists. John Curtis of Big Star was the high bidder for the #1 autographed poster print at $1,125.00. The original oil painting was won by Buddy Gillis of Rose-Neath Funeral Home with a winning bid of $1,150.00. This was a very successful event as it raised a substantial amount of money.

In 2007 the Poster Unveiling Gala was held Thursday, May 3rd at the Zwolle-Toledo Lions Club. Over 75 people showed up. The artist was our own TBLA member JoAnn Cason and the name of her painting was "Get the Net". The #1 autographed poster was auctioned off for $1,300.00 to Hayden and Kris White and the oil painting was auctioned off to Mike and Barbara Davis.

Local artist Judy Wong painted the original for the 2008 Bass Unlimited poster which was unveiled on April 3. The painting was sponsored by Judy Cathey, owner of Toledo Town Realty. An added bonus for Bass Unlimited was having TBLA member Wong win the Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship only weeks before our events. A March 25th visit with President Bush in the Oval Office allowed Judy to present him with a framed copy of the TBLA Bass Unlimited Poster. What an honor for Judy Wong, Judy Cathey and for TBLA!

Danny Fontenot outbid the competition for Judy's original painting, entitled "Bass Wishes." He went home with the painting after parting with $5,000.00, the most anyone has yet bid for a Bass Unlimited painting. The #1 poster was purchased by Barbara Monlezun for $2,000.00. Previous year's poster artists JoAnn Cason and Linda Hensen also donated paintings which were also auctioned at the poster unveiling. We're blessed with a talented group of artists and a generous group of patrons.

A huge thank you goes out to Debbie Nichols and crew for again doing an outstanding job with decorations. Thanks also to the TBLA members who helped with the decorations and the food. Hats off to Ben & Myra Smith as the Gala & Poster coordinators, great job! Without a doubt the evening would not have been the success it was without the support of all our members and guests.

How to order posters:
There are still posters available from 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006. The 2007 & 2008 posters are sold out.

Send a check or money order made payable to:

Bass Unlimited of TBLA
P.O. Box 1031
Many, LA 71449

The cost is $23.00 per poster, which includes shipping and handling. Add $15.00 for each additional poster.

Please be sure to enclose your return address .

CLICK HERE for Poster Order Form

TBLA President Jack Vermeire & 2006 Poster Sponsor Debbie Nichols