The 35th Annual Conservation Banquet was held on April 8, 2017 at the Grappone Conference Center, Concord, NH. Over 200 guests were in attendance and made for a lively evening. David Collins spoke briefl
y about the importance of contacting our representatives in the Legislature and Senate regarding bills that affect our sport. Miss New Hampshire attended as guest of the New Hampshire Trappers Association and helped parade the Live Auction items.
Ann Dunham of Goffstown, NH held the lucky number and won the $10,000. Brian Pender won the Browning BLR White Gold.308 Rifle on the Special Gun. There were three winners drawn on the Sponsor Member Raffle. Rick Lemay chose the Ruger American Rifle w/Vortex Scope, Jim Morse took home the Remington 870 Super Mag Shot Gun and Mark Edwards received the Kimber Micro Pistol 9MM. Mark Edwards also took home the Kayak. In the 4 Seasons Raffle Anna Guaraldi won the Winter Package, Ralph Scribner took the Spring Package, Al Traffie won the Summer Package and the Fall Package was won by Todd Somero. James Normand of Manchester, NH will be going on a Photo Safari to South Africa. Nathan Somero of New Ipswich, NH bought the 32nd Lifetime Membership. His plaque will be presented at next year’s banquet.
The two 2016 New Hampshire Wildlife Federation Scholarship were presented to Robyn Parker, Dummer, NH and Quinn Santos, Dover, NH by Scholarship Committee Chair Charles Williams. The New Hampshire Bear Hunters sponsored the meals for the Parker family.
The Banquet Committee wishes to thank Mike Nolan for being our Master of Ceremonies and Auctioneer again this year. Mike keeps the program moving along so that we get out at a reasonable hour.
We would like to thank the following volunteers for their hard work the night of the banquet as well as rounding up prizes before the banquet.
Sam Demeritt, Chair of the Banquet Committee for several years. NHWF Board Members on the Committee are Ron Sowa, Dan Dockham, James Morse, Mark Edwards and Brian DeNutte and Susan Chiarella.
Following are volunteers from our membership and some friends of the Federation who set aside the day to help every year: Bruce and Debbie Howell, Chuck Howell, Wayne Howell, Rebecca Boynton Erickson, Stephanie Edwards, Kimberly Rumrill, Jamie and Mackenzie Wiggin, Larry and Sharon Guaraldi, Luke Guaraldi, Carter & Trisha Heath, John Klucky, David Selvis, and Sandi White. Helping for the first time this year were Hope Eagleson, Bob Dufresne, Rob Kenyon, Cameron Kenyon and Hunter Edwards. I know I have forgotten to name someone so please excuse me in advance. Without these friends we would not be able to do all that we do for the banquet.
Plan on joining us next year on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the Grappone Center in Concord, NH for our 36th Annual Conservation Banquet.
Please consider donating an item for the banquet next year or volunteering a few hours of your time that night. You will be helping us fulfill our mission and meeting some great folks as well.
A list of donors supporting our 35th Annual banquet is available on our Donate page. Please support those who support us.