OSTA/FBU
Banquet
Article from May
- June Buckeye Trapper
by Patti
Conrad
On March 18, 2006 the OSTA hosted a banquet for Fur Bearers Unlimited.
The proceeds from this event will be used to further their projects
and programs across the country throughout the year.
If you are not familiar with Fur Bearers Unlimited, it is important
to understand that FBU is a nonprofit, tax exempt arm of the National
Trappers Association, which promotes the scientific research,
professional management and conservation of our furbearers resources.
FBU informs and educates the general public to use our renewable
resources wisely and pledges support to the leadership of other
organizations like itself.
I was unable to attend the banquet held two years ago, so I was
pleasantly surprised when Mike and I walked in to All Occasions
Catering in Waldo, Ohio when the doors opened at 5:00pm. For the
price of our admission ticket we were treated to a buffet of meats,
potatoes, vegetables, rolls, salad and dessert along with two
drink tickets, coffee, and lemonade or ice tea. That also put
us into a drawing for the door prizes.
The mood was festive and the evening was a nonstop flurry of activities
that included games of chance set up all around the banquet tables.
In addition to games, there were silent auction items to bid on
throughout the night. Raffle tickets were available to win a gun,
print or fishing rod etc., door prizes were given just for attending,
there were balloons to pop, eggs to buy and my favorite; a live
auction with none other than our very own OSTA Auctioneer, Wayne
Farthing.
Our Master of Ceremonies, Jay "Reno" Reda, DOW, did
an excellent job by keeping things constantly moving and always
interesting.
After a great dinner with more than you could possibly eat, we
heard from the guest speakers, Steve Gray, Chief, ODOW and Chris
Dwyer, Fur Bearer Biologist, ODOW. It is always a pleasure to
hear both of these gentlemen speak.
The hall was at full capacity and the event was well represented
by OSTA members, Officers and Directors along with a group from
the Ohio Division of Wildlife, showing their support.
Cindy Seff, from Arizona, was on hand with her sleeves rolled
up making sure that things were going as planned.
Jeff Fortune won a nice .50-caliber muzzleloader at the Foxy Dice
game table, which I was working. And Glenn Wilson, Jr., OSTA Vice
President, had his good luck charm with him that night. I believe
he won the 50/50 raffle and a couple of firearms - and didn't
do badly at the live auction bidding on a bear hunt that was donated.
I came home with my favorite live auction item and my favorite
silent auction item and I also won a nice print from the balloon
game!
A lot of hard work went into the planning and hosting of this
event and I feel the Committee deserves a big round of applause
and a very big thanks! In my opinion it was a huge success!
The OSTA is grateful to everyone who donated items and or their
time to make this event a success. Thanks to every one’s
efforts and generosity, we were able to provide great prizes and
auction items and make it a fun event for every one.
As I said earlier, the doors opened at 5:00pm for cocktails and
by 9:30pm, after a fun evening full of activity, we were saying
our good byes to head out for our ride home. I am looking forward
to our next banquet and hope our members plan to attend. ###
Patti Conrad, 1244 Abbe Rd., Sheffield, OH 44054
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