Banquet Review

53^rd ANNUAL BANQUET

FEB. 24,2004

By David Beary Banquet Chairman

Attendance this year was 557 sportsmen and women. The food and drinks were great as usual and a good time was had by all. The event was held at the American Croation Lodge in Eastlake, Ohio.

Our congratulations to this years man of the year award recipient Rob Sexton Vice President for Government Affairs of U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance. And also to Paul Karla recipient of the Woods and Waters President’s Award.

We were pleased to have many representatives from ODNR in attendance as well as exhibitors from various companies showing their services.

For the first time we are able to give you an accurate list of prize winners listed below.

2004 Major Prize Winners

Early Bird Prize                         Lake Erie Fishing Fever Charter               Cathy Shubert

New Members Prize                 “Down from the North” Print                      Joseph Anelli

2004 Members Only Prize            Browning BPS 28 ga. Pump                 Chris Kovac

Pluck a Buck                            Horton Hawk SL Crossbow                       Terry Macovena

Grid Square                               Winchester Model 70 300 Win Mag            Tom Formes

                                                Escort Camo 12 ga. Shotgun                        Tom Banyes

Shotgun Shell                          Winchester SuperX 12 ga shotgun        Frank Abramczyh

                                                Ruger GP 100 357 Mag Pistol                 Mike O’Connor     

                                                CVA 45 cal. Hunterbolt Muzzleloader        Lidio Collecchi III

                                                Ruger Model 1022 Rifle                             Al Uthe           

Card Games                           Mossberg Model 835 synthetic shotgun       Anthony Valore

                                                Remington Model 870 16 ga shotgun      Thomas Tekavec

                                                Winchester Model 1300 20 ga shotgun       Mark Palker

                                                CVA Staghorn 50 cal Muzzleloader            Larry Fielder

Pistol Raffle                            Ruger Stainless 44 mag Pistol w/scope       Dan Deluca

Lottery Game                          $100 Ohio Instant Lottery Tickets             Kit Kimmich        

50/50 Game                              $1,224.00 after split                              Denise Laumer

Dice Board                               Taurus 9mm PT92 Pistol                     Daniel Piscura

Sponsors                                 Remington 700 7mm Mag                    Greg Rogers

                                                Taurus 44 mag pistol                             Ron Varesco

Mystery Gun Case                 Safe with gun and accessories                   Joe Marino

Players Club Grand Prize       Winchester Supreme Grade O/U SG      Kurt 

                                                                                                                   Schatschneider

High Roller Grand Prize           Austin & Halleck 50 cal Muzzleloader            Jim Fiktus

High Roller                               Thompson Center 22 cal Rifle                        John Galik

                                                Lake Ontario Salmon Reel Thrill Chtr            Bob Dotson

Main Raffle Prizes              Savage .17 cal rifle                                Bryan Harbaugh

                                                Ruger 50^th Single Six 22 revolver       Doug Auckland         

                                                Mossburg 835 12 ga Shotgun                  John Clark

                                                Remington Model 11 16 ga Pump            Paul Hoover

                                                Savage Model GXP3 30-06 Rifle            Larry Sommerfield

                                                Benelli Nova 12 Ga pump Shotgun            Scott Opal

                                                Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol                  Dick Wilkenson

                                                Traditions 12 ga Auto Shotgun                     Chip Rabbit

                                                Ruger 40 Anniv Model 1022 Rifle            John Bothwell

                                                Savage Model GXP3 .270 cal Rifle            Fred Bangeman

                                                Remington 870 Comb 20 ga Shotgun            Tim Jayure

Grand Prize                             E-Ton Yukon CXL 150 ATV                 Zane Dawson of

                                                                                                                Brookpark Ohio

Our sponsor program expanded this year to 16 companies and individuals and Jim Faddoul intends to continue to grow this benevolent program for future banquets. Sponsors Greg Rogers and Ron Varesco are the happy winners of a Remington 700 Mag. rifle. And a Taurus 44 Mag. pistol respectively.

Proceeds from the banquet go to the Woods and Waters Club of Cleveland President’s Scholarship Foundation and to Community Outreach Programs that promote education and activities in outdoor sports such as fishing and hunting.

A GREAT TEAM EFFORT was expended in planning and executing this year’s banquet.  My heart felt thanks to Dan Forrester and Jim Faddoul for serving as my co-chairmen. My thanks also to Paul Karla & John Shubert who served as the “Prizemasters” organizing and executing countless orders and deliveries and helping to organize the games and raffles. And of course my thanks to Cathy Kowalczyk for all the coaching and help given before , during and after the banquet. Well over 40 Woods and waters members were involved with the year  long planning and actual presentation of this year’s banquet. My many thanks to all of you for your help & continued support of the club. I could not have done it without you.