Mac Olsen
Spotlight
The High Prairie Legion Hall was filled with 120 people in the evening of Feb. 13 for a prime rib dinner and auction.
It was the 23rd annual Ducks Unlimited Canada banquet, organized by the High Prairie chapter. Silent and live auctions were part of the event. Dale Scott, the Manager of Events and Volunteer Relations for DUC in Edmonton, highlighted some statistics for wetland conservation in the High Prairie area.
“Within 100 km of High Prairie, we have completed 47 wetlands projects affecting 85,000 acres,” says Scott.
“We’ve spent nearly $3 million for those projects. The local committee, through their efforts, has raised $526,000 over 23 years.”
For every dollar raised locally, DUC is finding another six dollars in additional funding, for a 6:1 ratio. Overall, DUC has completed 6.4 million acres of wetland conservation, including 2.3 million acres in Alberta. This province is considered priority one for wetland conservation, he adds.
Tammy Kaleta, a member of the High Prairie chapter, is pleased they were able to help raise money not only for the DUC, but also for the High Prairie and District Food Bank Society, in the amount of $1,500. The society also raised money from rose sales for Saint Valentine’s Day.
The silent auction items included camo LED flashlights, a wine rack, a ‘Migration Lodge’ sign, an ice bucket glass set and an American Avocet Decoy.
Chris Williscroft was the auctioneer for the live auction. It included upright suitcases, a two-drawer silver wear set, and a leather recliner with foot rest.
Scott announced the winners of three firearms: a Benelli Nova 12-gauge shotgun, a Savage Arms .410 over/under shotgun and a Savage Arms .17 HMR rifle.
There was a ‘Minute to Win It’ contest. Four people, with one hand behind their backs, pulled tissue out of their boxes as fast as possible. Evelyn Lesiuk won a barbecue.
A ‘Lucky 13’ auction was held. Louie Delorme was the winner and he chose a set of three firearms like the ones given away earlier in the evening.
Go to www.ducks.ca for more information about Ducks Unlimited Canada.
