By Carolyn Lee
The Imperial Republican
The annual Southwestern Nebraska Pheasants Forever banquet this Saturday will raise money for youth mentor hunt and habitat programs.
The banquet doors will open at 5:30 p.m. at the Wauneta Legion Hall, giving people plenty of time to play games and indulge in raffles before the 7 p.m. pork chop dinner.
Banquet Chairman Joe Weiss said that a 12-gauge shotgun, a rifle and a lifetime hunting permit will be given away during the games.
In addition, a James Meger print, one of only 100 and the last one he painted, will be auctioned. The print will be able to be personalized by the winner.
There are also a kids’ raffle table, a ladies’ raffle table and a general raffle table with between 200-300 items to be won.
At the same time, a silent auction of 10-15 different items such as sculptures and prints will be going on.
Following the dinner, a live auction will be held, with 30 items such as prints, a rifle, a pistol, pheasant art, children’s items and a lady’s package involved. “There’s a price range for everyone,” Weiss said.
He noted that the chapter has raised $333,000 over the years. A total of 180 youths have attended the youth mentoring hunt at a cost of $20,000, not including donated help.
“Our money stays here,” Weiss observed.
“We’re looking to have a pretty good turnout,” he said of Saturday night’s banquet.
It costs $35 for a membership for the whole family or an individual to attend the banquet. Dinner tickets are $11 per person.
Tickets and memberships may be purchased at the door or by calling Weiss at (308) 883-3265 or Heather Francis at (308) 520-0139.