Hey guys! I've sent a couple of emails over the last few years to Student Bonfire but haven't been able to get any bite. Thought I would throw the idea out here.

I know when I built Bonfire back in the late 80's, we were always trying to get donations and needed more money than we had. I'm sure the same is still true. So I was thinking, how can we get Old Ags to poney up to support one of the best traditions of Aggieland.

What about having an "Old Ag" weekend? Invite Old Ags to come back and cut on a Saturday and stack on a Sunday, with a nice BBQ and Beerfest on Saturday night. Many of us would love the opportunity to swing an axe and be involved in keeping this great tradition alive! Host a complete Safety Training Course first thing on Saturday, head out to cut, then come back to stack site for dinner. We may not cut that many trees (old guys, old joints, soft hands, etc), but there would be a huge opportunity to ask folks in the middle of the "Bonfire High" to throw out some more bucks. Maybe host an auction during the dinner.

I talk to Old Ags all the time who have no idea that Bonfire is still even going. This would be a great way to get folks involved, raise awareness, get some extra funds, and...for those of us with future Aggies growing up...get them interested in Bonfire before they get there.

Let me know what you think!!!

Jud Chappell '90

Surprised you haven't gotten a bite from the source. I know firsthand the Reds are definitely always looking for money.

A couple notes on your idea: we do a Father/Son Cut still which has been a pretty good success, I'd say. Lots of family members (not just dads) in the woods. May be able to couple it with that. Stack might be harder to facilitate with it being at night, halfway to Hearne.

Any sort of "Beerfest", as great as it would be, would never be found in the same sentence as Bonfire from current leadership. From Cut/Stack, to Burn, to Bonfire Bash (Sept. 10 for those of you in CS), Student Bonfire is officially "dry" (at Bonfire events ). While they can't stop 21+ people from drinking at Bonfire Bash, we certainly policed the minors in the interest of upholding a good public image.

That's not to say everyone who went to Cut that day couldn't "just show up" at the Bird that evening, though...

I like this idea. I would love to spend a weekend working on Bonfire once again and would happily donate for the priviledge. The Father/Son cut does not include me as I have no kids and never held a pot so neither definition works for me.

This is a great idea! Back in 2005, I planned to visit my brother one weekend, arriving early on a Friday. He had class till late afternoon, so I got the hair-brained idea of contacting a Student Bonfire leader and seeing if I could come out for a few hours and help. I was given the thumbs up, so I packed my old grodes (yes they still fit), pot, pliers and chain, and showed up. Found the guy who I spoke with, and he put me to work with the current students. Was great! I admit I felt a little weird, as everybody was asking me who I was, what dorm I was with, etc. But it was still a blast.

All of this to say.. I think there are alot of old Bonfire Ags (with money) that would love to participate, and donate. This idea would promote, in a recognized capacity, former Bonfire workers' involvement in off campus Bonfire. Donations would surely follow.

I know after a long day of cut/stack, my personal choice of destination happened to be the Chicken (grodes on, no shower). Not speaking for others, but if others happen to coincidentally have the same idea.. so be it.

One big question I see coming up is:

if they haven't heard about Student Bonfire, how will they hear about a special cut day?

Agijud- What's your email address? I have some great ideas and suggestions and since you're an Old Ag, you siund like the person I should share this with.

Mr. Chappell,

I believe I may have met you with some others (Staton and Kyle) that tailgated over on west campus with the bus.

Anyhoo, that is a great idea and any outreach that can be done to inform the Ol' Army Ags is one step closer to re-lighting the Burning Desire.

For the Fire,
JTF



Never mind the mule being blind, just load the god dammned wagon.

Now the thing that I call livin' is just bein' satisfied with knowin' I got no one left to blame

Sounds like there is some interest here. How might we go about getting this thing kicked up? I'm sure Ben Knox would be willing to donate a few prints for raffle, and I'm sure there are others who have things that would be worth some great donations. Let's see if we can make this happen. If anyone from Student Bonfire Leadership is reading this, reach out and let us know. If you need to reach me, my email is judchappell.arthrex@yahoo.com.