LITTLE CURRENT—It was a sold-out crowd at the Little Current Legion on Thursday, April 10 as Little Current Fish and Game Club members along with friends, family and supporters turned out in droves for the annual beef dinner.
Club President Lou Shortt opened the evening, thanking all who came out in support of the club. Mr. Shortt gave a brief update on the club’s activities and achievements. The hatchery has been given a new lease on life thanks to help from Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) and the work of many volunteers. This spring, a new steel roof will be installed, made possible with a donation of steel by Rob Maguire of Terrastar Building Products Inc. Much applause followed that announcement.
“Last year we lost three members—three volunteers who helped us out a fair bit in the past: Steve Davies, Glen Andrews and Robert Paxton. And I’d like to have a moment of silence for those three gentlemen now, please,” Mr. Shortt said.
A beautiful stained-glass piece, created by Debbie Lewis of Stained Glass Cave in Sheguiandah, was this year’s door prize. Kevin Hutchinson was the lucky winner, and his wife Heather, Ms. Lewis’ cousin, was thrilled with his good luck.
Ursula Paxton said a prayer of grace and dinner soon followed. Many hands were involved in preparing a delicious meal. Max Burt, of The Burt Farm was there, carving up his roast beef. “I grow it, I kill it, I cook it,” he said matter-of-factly, and the result was spectacular.
The Legion hall was filled with tables and the dinner line was long, slow and meandering, but no one seemed to mind. There were animated conversations at every table, whether old friends were talking together, or new friends were sharing their stories, everyone was having a good time.
There were prizes galore following the meal. The Toonie table was laden with gifts donated by local businesses: the Anchor Inn, Hair Trends, Green Acres Restaurant, Har-Cor Greenhouse, honey from Beaudry Bees, hoodies from Williamson’s Up Top Sports Shop, a year’s subscription to The Expositor, birdhouses built by Lou Shortt and painted by Tammy Albers, a decorative wooden bin by artist Linda Ferguson, various contributions by Ramakko’s of Sudbury, a quilted table runner by Merna Ferguson, gifts donated by Swing Bridge Realty Team, gifts donated by Auto Parts North and a charcuterie board and two sculptures from repurposed materials by Bruce Hodge, Custom Creations.
“Club member Bruce Hodge organized all of this,” Mr. Shortt said, indicating the donations on the prize table. In addition to the tickets for these prizes generating a great deal of fundraising dollars, the Madahbee family organized an NHL Stanley Cup hockey pool with great success.
The featured draws of the evening were two framed prints, donated by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and framed by Julie Shortt. The winners in this special draw were Leon Frisch and Kendra Madahbee-Peltier.
The annual event wound down shortly after the last prize was drawn, but not before one last word from President Shortt. “I’d like to thank the Legion members for putting on this meal for us, and all our members who helped too. The Legion donated the use of the hall for our organization, which is a tremendous help. And all of you here tonight, members and non-members, you help to fund our club and keep it going, by supporting this dinner and buying the raffle tickets. It’s all a great help, so thank you.” Another successful Little Current Fish and Game Club dinner is in the books.
by Margery Frisch
