Submitted by:
Patty Gattinger

On Saturday, October 26th the Swan Valley Ducks Unlimited committee hosted their 32nd Annual Banquet and Auction at the War Veterans Community Hall. In 2013 we are also celebrating the 75th anniversary of Ducks Unlimited in Canada.
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About 180 guests were greeted to a host of Raffles, Silent and Live Auction items. Upon entering the hall numerous lucky guests were awarded a door prize before being directed to where all the various raffles and auctions were being held. While browsing the hall guests were served a variety of tasty hors d’oeuvres that were being offered by the staff from Y Not Johnny’s.

Some of the raffles that were available to everyone were the Sportsman Raffle, Duck Water Raffle, Shotgun Shell Raffle, Bucket Raffle and the Tier Table Raffles. Always a popular raffle is the Sweetheart Raffle designed to attract the ladies in the crowd. Upon purchasing a ticket for this raffle, good for a chance of winning three separate prizes, the lady was also given a small flower arrangement.

One of the items being offered in the Silent Auction was a Giant Camo Camp Chair and Silver Flask. This was a popular item. As numerous guests pondered how a person would be able to climb into the large chair one guest, Charlene Bobby, was able to show everyone it could be done.

Before the main supper guests were able to view and bid on Silent Auction items as well as view the items offered in the Live Auction that took place later on in the evening. A wonderful meal was served in the evening that was catered by Y Not Johnny’s.

After the supper a special presentation took place honouring Richard Walker. Richard has been instrumental in helping to spearhead the original Swan Valley Ducks committee and has been an active member ever since. He was also on the committee that mapped out and started the Duck Mountain Interpretive Centre and Trails. He was presented with awards and letters from Ducks Unlimited head office and local committee members for his many years of dedication to helping preserve local marshlands and the Boreal forest. Each year the local Ducks Unlimited committee award a $500 scholarship to a graduating student from the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School. As a special honour this award has now been named the Richard Walker Ducks Unlimited Scholarship.

Other presentations given out were for years of service to the local Ducks Unlimited committee. These included: Charlene Wowchuk and Patty Gattinger – 5 years, Jeanette Coote – 10 years, Aaron Goethe – 15 years, Matt and Monica Black – 25 years.

Following the presentations some raffle items were drawn before the Live Auction began which featured Darren McKay as the auctioneer. The final draw of the evening was for the Special Edition 75th Anniversary Shotgun. This beautiful and much coveted shotgun was won by Brian Riddell of Swan River.

A wonderful evening was enjoyed by all as we look forward to hosting our 33rd Annual Banquet in the fall of 2014.