SENNETT -- There is a lot to be said for tradition.

For 56 years, the annual children's Falcon Sportsman's Club Fishing Derby has been a cherished tradition.

Lorenzo Farnham, a member of the club's board of directors, said the derby began with one main goal that it still focused on to this day.

"It started to help give our children a sense of conservation and outdoor sports," Farnham said. "We wanted this to help give kids a sense of nature and the outdoors and all that means and has to offer."

This is a message that works on several levels, not only for conservation and custodianship of the outdoors, but also for a deeper, more personal meaning.

"It is all about a fun family day together," said Dottie Wells, club president. "We have people here that are grandparents bringing their grandchildren and they brought their children when they were younger. It is all about passing along that tradition from generation to generation and having a fun day together."

Club member Jerry Baranska, of Auburn, brought his granddaughter, Adrianna, 10, for the second straight year.

Baranska sees the derby as a chance to spend time together with his family, and also pass along a little bit of knowledge of the outdoors.

"I think it is great," Baranska said. "I think it is a good way to get the kids out of the house and teach them a little bit about fishing and get them involved in something other than playing video games."

And for Adriana, the tournament has definitely been a good time even when the fish aren't biting.

"Last year, I only caught one fish," Adriana said. "And this year I haven't caught anything yet. But it is fun and it is nice to spend a day with my grandparents."

For more, read Monday's Citizen