The Blaine County Wildlife Museum celebrated its 25th annual banquet last week at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church. The annual dinner and auction is the major fundraiser staged by the museum's board and staff. Banquet tickets sold out early in the week. A mild winter evening also helped draw a large crowd.

Downtown, at the museum before the actual dinner, ticket holders were invited to tour the Wildlife Museum on Indiana. Kurt Wohnsen and Liz Marshall, owners and operators of Acorn Exhibits, were on hand to greet guests. The couple created all the major dioramas and exhibits in the Museum and are in town completing work on the Foothills Exhibit, the last of the planned exhibits.

An hour before the banquet silent auction, live auction and raffle items are on view in the church hall. Items offered for raffle or auction included home baked items, art, sports gear, trips and sporting outings of all stripes. During the hour before the banquet is also the time people use to catch up with friends and acquaintances they haven't seen for a while.

At 7 p.m. action moved into the church fellowship hall. Board President Kory Cecrle welcomed guests on behalf of the museum board and staff. Scott MacKenzie, who was part of the group that got the museum started and still is a board member, introduced four Alumni Board members who were present and recognized them for their contributions to the success of the Museum. Present were: Luann Burkhartsmeyer, Debbie Davies, Jude Sheppard and Dave Taylor.

Mackenzie also recognized the Acorn Exhibit owner and noted, "The reason we have a world class museum is because of the world class work of Kurt and Liz." Finally, Mackenzie mentioned this was the 25th anniversary of the banquet and noted, "In 25 years this event has raised in excess of $500,000. The museum owes so much to the generosity of the folks who have supported this event so faithfully. Give yourselves a round of applause."

After a prime rib dinner was served, auctioneer Kevin Elias stepped to the microphone and the live auction began. Amongst the 35 auction items sold live, there were breaks to announce various raffle winners and award door prizes. Although all major animals in the exhibits have been adopted in prior years, there were four smaller animals auctioned for adoption. Combined the small animals brought $3400+.

Steve Edwards

Liam Edwards, a volunteer at the Wildlife Museum's annual banquet, serves dessert to guest Amelia Funk. It takes a large number of volunteers and donors to make the dinner and auction happen. About 225+ guests attended the banquet.

It was another fun and successful evening. Scott MacKenzie said after the event that the organizers had reduced the number of seats to about 225, down from prior years. That was to allow a bit more room for guests to move around. Asked what kind of support comes from the annual event, MacKenzie said, "For the entire 25 years we've averaged about $20,000 each year. My guess is, if we added up the actual figures, it would be closer to $600,000."

The "Journal" thanks all the volunteers, donors, guests and helpers who help assure we continue to enjoy the Blaine County Wildlife Museum in our community. Not only are the exhibits world class, so are the folks who make it happen.