Checkers USA

filippov · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 49

Not too long ago I wrote an article about the "PITT BULLS" of Macon, Georgia. One man (Pecan) read it and had some beautiful remarks. However he wanted to know my name other than Filippov, Wow that is asking a lot.

My name is B. Joey Bumpous; I was born in a small town in Hickman, Kentucky. It sits on the Mississippi River front. I was raised there, and lived there some 16 years until after finishing high school. After high school off to college and on to the US Army. Later on marrying and co-parenting two lovely children.

In June of 1990, I moved to Macon, Georgia. It was there I met some really nice people and great checker players. Although they were great checker players, I enjoyed their fellowship best. To name some: The late Robert (Bob) Felts, James (Bopete) McClain. Although Bob and Bopete are not with us anymore their spirit lives on. Moses Lightfoot, Homer King, Donald Jackson, Ronald Jackson, David Jackson, Clinton Forbis ("The THANG"), Fred Stinson, Sammie Hill, Edward (Big John) Johns, James Baxton. These I only know by their nick names: Radio, Abe, Alabama, Mighty mouth and Bones oh yes and Slappy.

In March 2002, I was really sick and my beloved brothers came to Macon and got me put me in the Hospital in Madison, Wiscon where I had a Dream Team work on me for some 31 days. By the mighty works of God who manifested his mighty works through the dream team, I was rescued from the kill floor but yet sustained kidney failure.

Now I communicate with the "Pitt Bulls" of Macon almost daily by phone. They are some of the best friends one could have, I love them like brothers. About two or three times a year I try to visit Macon, Georgia to Fellowship with my best friends. Their Pitt Bull attitude and spirit is only when playing checkers. They love the game and have no mercy.

Pecan · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 53

Mr. Bumpous (filippov), your response was great. While I didn't expect such a detailed introduction, I must say, you gave me plenty. Now, I feel like I have known you for a lifetime.

Because I enjoy and appreciate your writings, and with your permission, I am going to recommend you for membership in our Internet Club.

I will be contacting Mr. Gooche- the president, and Mr. Kacher- the webmaster, for your inclusion. They will, hopefully, contact you about the Club's purpose. Again. thanks.

filippov · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 49

Mr Charles Thompson (Pecan), I feel honored and respectfully sumit my permission.

You and I met in Atlanta, Georgia in 1998 during the NPCA business meeting. As I recall the meeting consisted of NPCA officers and club presidents; I was there as the president of the Macon Pool Checkers Association Club.

Pecan · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 53

Thanks for the response, Mr. Bumpous. We will now wait for responses from the Internet Club's other two officers. Hopefully that will be forthcoming.

I will e-mail you with respect to our meeting in Atlanta in 1998. Thanks again.

filippov · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 49

In Atlanta, Georgia there is a checker club by the name; Atlanta Pool Checkers Association. They have adopted a policy called reading one his rights after he has lost three straight games. The right goes like this, you have the right to get up, however if you continue to play and lose two more before winning then you are charged with buying $2.50 worth of drinks or cookies/candies. This is all good clean fun and the concession helps the club.

While visiting Atlanta, one of the Macon club members heard someone reading a player his rights. He (Mighty Mouth) was impressed with the reading of one's rights. When he returned to Macon, he began to try to give cause to read someone his rights. Mighty Mouth is perhaps a Blue Ribbon player but has enough mouth for a "Grand Master Player".

One summer afternoon under the tree on Plant Street, Mighty Mouth finally got his chance to explode on a fellow player who's name I will not disclose. Mighty Mouth shouted out with a loud shout, "Is dis legel!!!?" He had a shot on the player for about 4 men, this was the third game that Mighty Mouth had won before the other player had won any. "Somebody read dis ham his rights cause I on't want him to get away on technicality".
Mighty Mouth only did this for a laugh, he enjoyed making people laugh, and it was funny and everybody did laugh including me.

We have had so much fun under the tree at Plant St in Macon. I believe it is good for the health. Moses Lightfoot had a saying, "you can get 4, but no 5 for you." Unless you were a strong player, you more than likely would not get even 2 games.

We often would have city wide tournaments to encourage players and hope to encourage membership. Robert (Bob) Felts would always say upon his arrival, "If Lightfoot aint here yall can gi me my trophy now." I knew just about who was stronger than others, so I would break them down into 2 groups in each division, hopefully to help everybody feel good about their play. We called them the "Little Boys group" and the "Big Boys group". Once one won the "Little Boys group" he had to move up to the "Big Boys group".

Most of the time just as Bob Felts had said, it was his trophy. David Jackson, or Homer King would usually come in 2nd Don Jackson had not yet blossomed out, he was still a young player. However, I would say he is the most improved player in Macon. Well hope you enjoyed reading about some of our experiences in Macon under the tree on Plant Street.

B Joey Bumpous

Pecan · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 53

It was an interesting article. Continue the good work!

filippov · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 49

In 1991, after living in Macon, Georgia for about a year; I decided it necessary to form a checker club. After a few visits to Atlanta and Augusta's checker club, I was more encouraged to get the task started. The late Leroy Snead, president of the Augusta checker club, introduced me to Dr Smith. I communicated the idea to Dr smith who was very instrumental in making the idea a reality.

David (Money-Player) Jackson and I took care of the administrative paper-work and legalities necessary to form a non-profit making checker club. Dr Smith coached me in the creation of a checker club and enhanced my leadership skills, most of which was done by telephone.

We invited Dr Smith to Macon to visit our club to check on our works, he came and visitd us and was very pleased. This was a great day for the checker club and as a result of his coming we gained about eight new members. He also suggested to us the advantage of visiting other clubs to encourage checker play and fellowship.

Later on the following year, the Macon Pool Checker Association Joined the NPCA. We participated in National tournaments. Dr Smith and I communicated quite frequently and realized the difficulty of trying to hold a checker club together and maintain the diginity of the organization. We exchanged ideas and shared hope for our friends who enjoy the game.

As President of the National Pool Checker Association (NPCA), Dr Smith has had some difficult times. It takes a special kind of leadership skills to do the job Dr Smith has done. The membership dues have been the same for about the last 10 years, cost of living has risen about 17% in the last 10 years. It has been a difficult struggle and effort on the Part of Dr Smith but he has survived the test.

Dr Smith is an unusually nice person, he is a family man, a pastor of a Church, teacher at a seminary for about 40 years and the president of the APCA. As you can see he is a man of many hats and is doing an outstanding job as president of the NPCA, I don't think money can buy anyone to do better under the circumstances. Keep up the good work Dr Smith, you are a true and dear friend, May God bless you as you have blessed so many others.

Some of you may not know Dr Smith as I know him, and some of you may wish to "echo" some of the experiences I have shared. Your comments are welcome.

B. Joey Bumpous