An evening of beautiful ladies in formal wear and elegant auction items is not the picture that comes to mind when thinking of a banquet sponsored by Ducks Unlimited (DU).
However, Ducks Unlimited is not a typical sportsman’s club.
Begun in 1937 by a group of sportsmen concerned by the drought-plagued waterfowl populations, Ducks Unlimited is a grassroots, volunteer-based conservation group focusing upon waterfowl and wetlands.
‘I think people are really surprised when they learn about the projects we participate in,? said Chuck Myers, area chairman for the North Oakland County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.
On May 4, the local DU chapter held its largest fund-raiser of the year, an annual banquet featuring a live auction, silent auction and plenty of raffles. The event was held at Deer Lake Athletic Club.
Over 380 people attended the evening, including some from Harrison Township and even one gentleman from Midland. Around 20 committee members and 18 volunteers dressed their best to coordinate the evening.
‘It went extremely well. I think everybody had a great time,? said Myers. ‘The auctioneer was great. The selection was wonderful. Everything went quite well.?
The local DU chapter will be forwarding over $85,000 on to the National Ducks Unlimited. Myers said this is the most ever raised at the banquet and auction.
‘Last year we raised just under $79,000,? he remembers. ‘That equalled to about 300 acres of conserved and protected area. We ended that year ranked 26th in the country (out of 3,500 chapters), which gave us access to some great items for the auction.?
The featured auction item was an original wildlife scene by Clarkston’s own Terry Tracy, owner of La Petite Gallery and featured artist for the evening. The piece depicts a quiet, gentle duck hidden among the reeds and cattails of a wetland.
‘I’m just thrilled with the privilege to do this,? said Tracy, who got her inspiration while visiting a wetland area just off Dixie Highway. ‘It’s a great opportunity to be able to share all this with people. I paint things that I enjoy seeing so other people can enjoy them.
‘I like that DU does things to conserve nature and the streams. A lot of people think they’re just duck hunters, but they do so much more.?
Myers and the DU banquet committee learned about Tracy through members Herb and Judy Bauer of Ortonville. The Bauers had recently purchased four of Tracy’s paintings and were excited by the quality and workmanship.
‘They told Chuck and he came in the gallery to see some of my pieces,? explained Tracy. ‘I told him I had been involved in DU while living up north, and that was that.?
Myers said he spoke with Tracy this past fall about creating an original piece for the auction. He added that everyone was thrilled with the result.
‘Those at the auction were able to sign up for limited edition DU banquet prints that night,? said Myers. ‘Everyone I spoke to was pleased with the painting.?
As the featured artist for the evening, Tracy received a membership with DU and was able to display some of her other wildlife pieces.
‘Who better to enjoy my wildlife work than those who support Ducks Unlimited?? she stated.
With so many unique and unexpected items up for auction, such as a jeweled duck-head necklace from Tierra’s Fine Jewelers, donations and pricing went high. The top selling item at the auction was a limited edition engraved Ruger Red Label shotgun, one of only 100 made. The item auctioned for $3,350.
‘This was definitely our best year ever,? concluded Myers.
Myers explained that of the more than $85,000 donated to nationals, every penny will go towards waterfowl and wetland conservation. Some of the money will definitely come back to Michigan for projects; however, nothing local is currently planned.
Ducks Unlimited has members in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The organization is based in Memphis, Tenn. For more information, please go online to www.ducks.org or call Chuck Myers at 248-625-4151.