Planning underway for upcoming DU Banquet

Planning is underway for the Blackfoot River Ducks Unlimited Chapter's annual banquet. The committee began meeting in January to organize the event, which is scheduled be held Saturday, April 23 at the historic Lincoln Community Hall.

Tammy Jordan assumed the role of Banquet Chair when long-time organizers of the event, Ernie & Renee Lundberg stepped down after last year's banquet. They had been the chairs for the committee and organizers of the event for more than 23 years and helped raise thousands of dollars for the organization.

Letters went out to area individuals, businesses and organizations to solicit donations for the event. If you didn't receive a letter but would still like to donate, please reach out to one of the committee volunteers (Sue Anderson, Lori Arambarri, Nyle & Sue Howsmon, Ernie & Renee Lundberg, Emily Rundell, Debbie Schoenen, Ellie Schouten, Dawn & Gary Schwalm, Sherry Sidell, Holly VerHoeven, and Julie Zarske) or contact Tammy directly at 406-633-0073.

Invitations to the banquet were mailed at the beginning of the month. The longtime favorite event is expected to sell out and the committee recommends registering early. Registration can be done online at: https://ducksunlimited.myeventscenter.com/event/Blackfoot-River-Lincoln-Ducks-Unlimited-Banquet-52523.

You can also register by phone by contacting Tammy at 406-633-0073. Single ticket price is $55, couple's ticket is $75, youth (under 17) tickets are $20. Each ticket fee includes dinner at the event and a year's membership to Ducks Unlimited. For those unable to attend the event in person but would like to support Ducks Unlimited, there is a 'member not attending' option for $35, which also included a year's membership to the organization or a Bronze Sponsor option for $250, which provides entry into a special, sponsor only gun drawing.

The banquet will feature many games, and raffles, as well as a silent and live auctions. There are more than 15 guns to be won at the event, and one gun of particular interest is a collector's dream. A special Winchester 94 Model Rifle, custom made for the Lincoln event, featuring wood carvings and engraving will be up for grabs.

Fundraising banquets such as the Blackfoot River DU Banquet will help ensure that waterfowl will have places to nest, raise their young, migrate through and winter in each year. Your attendance at the Lincoln banquet will help DU conserve wetlands and critical upland habitat vital to North America's waterfowl and the more than 900 other species of wildlife that use these same habitats. For more information about Ducks Unlimited and the work they do, please visit the website at: http://www.ducks.org.