DU tickets going fast

With the annual Ducks Unlimited fundraiser banquet coming up May 3 at La Place Rendez-Vous, only 45 tickets were still up for grabs as of yesterday.
“We’ll be sold out. All I can say to people is don’t delay getting your tickets,” warned local DU member Larry Cousineau, who also is in charge of ticket sales.
As always, those bought their tickets before April 12 were eligible for the early-bird prize—this year a backpack beverage set consisting of five stainless steel containers and an insulated backpack.
The winner was Joe Delbo, who picked up his prize yesterday morning at Cousineau Brokers.
“What am I going to do with it? I don’t know,” joked Delbo, adding he probably would give it to someone in his family.
Meanwhile, organizers are getting details of the popular event finalized this week, such as the auction and raffle items that will be up for grabs at the banquet.
“We have local art and carvings—lots of it,” noted local DU president Barney Maher.
“They always go over well,” added Cousineau.
Besides a total of 80 live and silent auction items, the banquet will see four raffles—including one for a prize package consisting of a La-Z Boy chair, TV, TV stand, DU print, and a DU throw.
Maher said he’s confident the 20th-annual banquet will be as successful as always. “$50,000 this year,” he remarked, referring to the estimated gross he expected to raise.
Last year’s banquet grossed about $43,000.
Tickets cost $50 per person (including the $25 annual DU membership fee) or $75 per couple (two meals and a family membership). A group of 10 can reserve a table.
For more information, or to reserve tickets, call Cousineau at 274-9891.
DU Canada, founded in 1938, has spent $992.6 million on conservation programs so far, including about $70 million last year. The local chapter has raised $420,379.73 since 1983.
For more information on Ducks Unlimited, visit www.ducks.ca