Following a few slower years, the Sundre Fish and Game Association’s annual awards and banquet nearly sold out.
“We only had about 13 tickets left,” said banquet director Darryl Murphy.
“Last year, it was a long ways from sold out.”
There were 250 tickets available, with nearly 240 people attending the event hosted on Saturday, April 6 at the Sundre Community Centre.
“Everything I’ve heard so far has been really positive,” said Eric Hengen, the association’s president.
“It was definitely a better year than the previous few for sure,” said Hengen, adding he was pleasantly surprised.
All of the draws and raffles, which included four rifles that were given away, sold out, and the silent and live auctions were very well supported, he said.
The entire perimeter of the community centre was lined with tables featuring a wide variety of silent auction items. An additional 10 live auction prizes included a print re-donated eight times to raise funds for the family of a young local girl who remains in hospital after recently suffering serious injuries in an ATV crash, he said.
“We thought we’d live-auction the prints with some of the proceeds going to them.”
The live auction also included a chance to win a fishing trip at Tapawingo Lodge in northwestern Alberta, he said.
The association also presented this year’s awards, which follow up on the trophy measuring night held in January, he said.
Additionally, the Miss Rodeo Sundre contestants, accompanied by past royalty, attended to lend a hand with everything from the raffles and draws to the awards presentations, he said. The bar was run by members of the Bergen 4-H Club, which received some proceeds for pitching in, he added.
The meal — a catered prime rib supper with veggies and potatoes on the side — was great, he said.
The Sundre Fish and Game Association is doing very well, said Hengen, who was grateful for the support that made the success of the organization’s major annual fundraiser possible, and will now enable the group’s board to discuss where to allocate the proceeds generated.
Among the recipients are the Sundre Nutrition for Learning Society, STARS and the Alberta Fish and Game Association, he said.
Other initiatives include stocking the fishing pond, which is expected to get underway soon once fish have been ordered, as well as the youth firearms course at the Alford Lake Conservation Education Centre for Excellence located west of Caroline. As of last week, the dates for that program had not yet been determined, he said.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about the local fish and game association, or perhaps even joining the group, is welcome to drop by Murf’s Outdoor Equipment, where membership books are available.
2019 Sundre Fish and Game Association Awards
Adult Rifle
Coleman Perry, typical whitetail, 145 1/4
Eric Hengen, non typical whitetail, 132 5/8
