Big bucks plucked for ducks at annual DU banquet

When Geraldine Spence raised her hand to bid on the “Trail of Gold” print by Jake Vandenbrink at the annual Ducks Unlimited banquet here Friday night, she got caught up in the moment as auctioneer Telford Advent spurred on the offers.
After a couple of minutes of lively and jovial bidding with another woman in the crowd who had an eye for the print, Spence had herself a new piece of artwork for $675.
“I thought [the print] was quite pretty and I knew what it reminded me of,” Spence said Monday. “The auctioneer helps you along and once you’re into [the bidding], it’s pretty difficult to get out.
“I meant to get out at one point but then the auctioneer said ‘It’s only $25’ and there I went again,” she added. “And then you have the power bid.
“But it was a good night and for a good cause,” Spence reasoned.
Moments like that helped raise big bucks for ducks. In fact, gross income from the 18th-annual banquet and auction, held at La Place Rendez-Vous, surpassed last year’s figure by at least $6,000.
“Overall gross take, including ticket sales and any cash donations that weren’t part of Friday night, was $49,000,” Barney Maher, chairman of the local DU chapter, said Monday morning.
“I thought we had a very successful night and the crowd was great,” he added.
Nancy Gibb, of Pro Picture Framing, also got her hand into the live auction bidding–coming away with a large wooden cabinet with storage drawers for $250.
“I seized the opportunity,” she chuckled earlier this week. “I’m not usually that lucky at live auctions.”
“[The cabinet] really attracted my attention–it was a very unique piece [and] I just loved it,” Gibb said, though admitting that bringing it home ruffled a few feathers.
“I have a lovely corner all set up with it but because I put it there, I had to move a mirror, and then a painting, and pretty soon I was re-arranging all my decor for one piece,” she laughed.
“But it was worth it.”
The live auction, which featured 47 items this year, fetched more than $18,000 (up $4,000 from last year). A print entitled “Autumn Shoreline” and a companion print, both by Terry Redlin, went for $800.
The DU mystery print, unveiled at the end of the evening as a Robert Bateman piece of an eagle, went to Keith Knapp for $1,175.
The print had been donated by the Oak Hammock D.U. Committee in appreciation for a generous contribution of a three-day fly-in fishing trip and accommodations for four people by Northern Wilderness Outfitters, Moose Point Lodge, and La Place Rendez-Vous to the D.U. Oak Hammock Minister’s Dinner and Auction in March.
Other top bids during the live auction were a leather chair and ottoman ($700); a print entitled “Waiting at Crow Creek” by Dennis Minor, D.U. Inc. International Artist of the Year ($600), a Mossberg 12-ga. shotgun ($575), and a Sharptail Grouse sculpture porcelain resin cast ($575).
A five-day housekeeping cabin for four on Barker Bay (Lower Manitou), courtesy of Ted and Faye Davis, fetched $600 while a one-day charter for three people for lake or specked trout on Lake Nipigon, courtesy of Donna Dee Charters & Guide Services of Beardmore, garnered $425.
A weekend getaway for two people to King Island, with meals and transportation included, courtesy of Hanson’s Wilderness Lodge in Nestor Falls, went for $275.
Local artists also had items on the block in the live auction, including Cheri (Taylor) Servano’s “Storm’s End-Swell Bay” print ($550), Allan Anderson’s carved decorative decoy ($575), Linda Lovisa’s original watercolour painting ($400), Ray Coran’s “Otter” original carving ($500), and Ray Rousseau’s “Clock” ($300).
Others were a watercolour print by Connie Cuthbertson, a “Working Plane of the North” print by Cher Hogan, a “Red-Breasted Nuthatch” carving by Steve Latimer, a “Chick-a-Dees” print by Pam Brandrick, an original carving by Al Heskins, and an original acrylic painting by Kari Anderson.
The silent auction, which garnered $8,650 overall, featured contributions from locals Sid Asselin, Doug Mitchell, Dr. Jas Spencer, Vi Plumridge, Bill Martin, Bruce Caldwell, Jean Richards, Aleata Jerry, Ruth Brockie, and Anita French.
Five raffles also were held, with the “Pyramid” raffle bringing in $8,720, the “Goose Band Draw” fetching $1,000, and the “Pluck-a-Duck” garnering $1,350.
A DU “Merchandise Catalogue” raffle brought in $890 while the “Fresh Flowers” raffle garnered $360. The early bird draw of a “Goldeneye Decoy with Young,” courtesy of DU, was won by Joe Delbo.
Presentations of a DU print were made to Kari Anderson and Dr. Jas Spencer for their contributions of artwork and carvings to the local banquet over the past several years.