OLD FRIENDS AND NEW
OPPORTUNITIES.
Sportsmen and women from around the state and as far
away as Vermont attended the 4th annual, Northwest CT
Sportsman’s Council, “Fundraiser and Banquet” on
February 6th, 2004. Winter weather was rough the day
preceding the event; casting doubt on attendance numbers;
but Council supporters proved resilient and showed up
with an attendance of over three hundred for the evening.
A new and larger facility was found to host the banquet
this year. The Grand Oak Villa in Oakville proved to
be an excellent Hall. The staff and management of the
Grand Oak are to be commended for their excellent service
and professional operation. The food was plentiful and
of excellent quality. Staff organization was excellent;
we have never seen so many people served in such a short
period of time. The Hall is very spacious, and this made
for a relaxed, informal atmosphere, affording our sportsmen
and women ample opportunity to converse with area legislators
about issues that affect us all.
Senator Andrew Roraback and Representatives, Ann Ruwet,
Sean Williams, Craig Minor, Richard Ferrari and Clark
Chapin were very accommodating, mixing with our sportsmen
and conversing with them on a wide range of subjects.
NRA Director, Bruce Stern and Coalition lobbyist, Robert
Crook attended and spoke to the gathering regarding issues
on the state and federal level that we should be aware
of. Corporate sponsors from Colt Manufacturing were in
attendance and a representative of the company spoke
to the assembly of Colt’s commitment to our sporting
heritage.
The fun part of the evening consisted of various raffles
for specialty firearms such as the Colt Match Target
Rifle and Springfield Armory M1-A. A silent auction was
followed by a live auction conducted by Mike Tomasowicz.
Over $6,000.00 was raised to support Council projects
and efforts on behalf of our sportsmen and women.
All in all; a very successful banquet. We have already
reserved the Grand Oak for the 2005 banquet, which promises
to be even bigger and better.
See you there.
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