Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Good food, company and items to bid on proved to be a successful combination for this year’s Ducks Unlimited dinner held in Presque Isle Saturday, Sept. 20.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
The big prize at the Ducks Unlimited dinner, held Sept. 20 in Presque Isle, was this special edition Ducks Unlimited Beretta White Onyx over/under 20-gauge shotgun, valued at $2,000. Here, Charlie Beck, member of the Aroostook DU Chapter Committee, at right, tells Brian Fields about the gun raffle, joined by Beck’s granddaughters, Alli and Carly Bell.
Extra tables had to be set up at the Shrine building on the Houlton Road to accommodate the crowd for the annual fund-raiser.
“We actually had an attendance of 110 plus,” said Scott Walker, chairman of this year’s event.
This year’s function raised thousands for the organization dedicated to preserving wetlands for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
“The amount of money raised for Ducks Unlimited was about $10,007,” said Walker.
A new location was selected for the 2008 fund-raiser, to better accommodate participants.
“The new venue worked well. Folks were able to sit together the whole evening – didn’t have to change rooms,” said Walker.
Past events had been held at the Northeastland Hotel but the decision was made to try a new location this year, to address participants’ concerns.
“Russell Mount, a member of the Aroostook DU Chapter Committee, called the owner of the Northeastland to thank him and explain that seating was an issue,” explained Walker. “Service was great there but some attendees expressed displeasure about having to switch rooms for the dinner and auction portion.”
Organizers are considering alternating the event between communities in the future.
“We’re considering alternating between Caribou and Presque Isle – try to get more people interested in the organization,” said Walker. “We’d like to have some new blood for our committee, especially women. We think we’re missing something by not having more women involved.”
Walker said there’s misconception about the organization.
“Ducks unlimited is more about conservation than hunters. But people tend to think otherwise. We want to clarify that fact,” said Walker.
Ducks Unlimited was started in 1937, during a drought, in order to preserve wetlands and wildlife. Since that time, over $2.7 billion has been raised to continue conservation efforts.
This year’s event featured a number of items up for auction, from a child’s rocker, to prints, a limited-edition Ducks Unlimited silverware set, a bird feeder, planter set and more. Games were played and raffles held during the evening to raise funds as well. The ‘big’ prize of the evening was a special edition Ducks Unlimited Beretta White Onyx over/under 20-gauge shotgun, with a retail value of $2,000.
“We sold playing cards at $25 each for the gun raffle, with the winner selected at the end of the evening,” said Charlie Beck, member of the Aroostook DU Chapter Committee.
Over 65 cards were sold to participants hoping to take home the night’s top prize. In the end, it was Bill Belanger who proved to be the lucky cardholder.
“Ben’s Trading Post handled our gun transactions – all the paperwork,” said Beck.
Walker expressed gratitude to the many people and businesses who made this year’s banquet and auction a success.
“I’d like to thank all our donors for contributing items for our annual fund-raiser. I’d also like to thank our auctioneer, Bert Winslow, for keeping the audience entertained as they bid on items. Thanks to the kitchen staff and all the members of the local DU chapter. This was a joint effort and their work is appreciated,” said Walker.
Walker would like to see more local participation – from new committee members to donors.
“I’d like to get more local participation through various artists and craftsmen – get more variety if we can. If we could get some new blood in the committee, sometimes that makes better things happen,” said Walker.
For more information on Ducks Unlimited, visit www.ducks.org. To learn more about the local organization or to join, contact Walker at 227-6596.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
Bert Winslow, auctioneer, describes the first item up for auction, a rocking chair, at the Ducks Unlimited dinner Sept. 20, as Russell Mount, member of the Aroostook DU Chapter Committee, holds up the child-size chair.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
A lifelike sunset proved to be the selling point for this item up for auction at the annual Ducks Unlimited dinner. Here, Bert Winslow, auctioneer, describes how ‘natural’ the sun’s image appears in the painting.
