Banquet Review
Banquet Review
This year’s annual banquet and fundraiser was held on February 27, 2007 at the Croatian Party Center in Eastlake. Approximately 400 avid outdoor enthusiasts were in attendance and enjoyed the excellent food, open bar and the fine selection of prizes, games and raffles. Also attending were local exhibitors, sponsors and members of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. John Murphy (President’s Award) and Gary Isbell (Person of the Year) were honored this year by the Club.
While many in attendance went home were winners of some nice prizes, some of the lucky ones were: Mike and Cathy Mallchok winning the Grand Prize and the 50/50 along with Raffle and Members Only Prizes, Richard Wagner Jr. and Dan Piscura winners of High Roller Prizes, and Paul Karla, Denis Gadzic, Dan Forrester, Frank Takacs, Bill Shary, Jerry Mandel, Ed Manning, Michael Novak, Eric King, Fred Rusch, Scott Such, Thomas Murphy, Dave Fackelman, Chris Sunkin, David Poiner, John Monroe, gun winners. Greg Rogers and Mike Samsel went home with the Sponsor Guns. The special live auction Adam Grimm remarqued print donated to us by Robert Sichau was purchased by Bob McCarthy!
Many thanks to all who helped put on this year’s banquet. The following individuals contributed their time to making this event a success: Jim Faddoul, Cathy Kowalczyk, Denis and Andrew Gadzic, Russ Karla, Renee O’Brokta, Steve Bacha, Jason Podojil, Frank Gron, Dan Forrester, Lou Sharpe, Joe Post, Ed Reich, Ken Kado, Ken Kalish, Jim Calogeras, Jeff Mattlin, Jack Gregg, Jeff Herrick, Ken Kuentz, Ed Walsh, Lee Billi, Gil Ruprecht and the door prize crew, Susan Karla, Bill Richardson, Jeff Poffenberger, Jay Reda, Kit and Michelle Kimmich, Ken Dawson, Jim Griner, Gerry Chomos, Jason Hadsell, Wayne LeClair, Merrick Murphy, Ron Varesco, Mary Gyure and Donna Miller. If I have forgotten a few, please excuse me. All individuals participating in the set-up and conduct of the Banquet are appreciated and contributed greatly to our success. Without all the help, we could not have had such a successful event.
As the main fundraiser for the Club, the annual banquet is our most important event of the year. This year we earned over $15,000 to support our Outreach programs, The President’s Scholarship Fund, and to fund Club operations.
While we are grateful for the support of the individuals attending the Banquet we need more attendance to attain our goals. If anyone has suggestions for improving the Banquet experience and increasing attendance, I would be happy to hear from you. Once again, I thank you for your support and hope for your continued interest in the annual banquet.