The Middle Island Longbeards chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host their 12th annual Hunting Heritage Superfund Banquet on March 13 at the Momentive Performance Materials-Park Training Facility, South of St. Rt. 2, at Bens Run. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be at 6:30 p.m., with a social hour, live and silent auction, games, raffles and more; all to raise funds for Wild Turkey Conservation and the Hunting Heritage.

There are several ways in which individuals can support the Hunting Heritage and all of the dollars spent for conservation are tax-deductible. Many area businesses and individuals are choosing to be a NWTF Corporate Sponsor (a higher level membership), such as: Clay Hupp, Larry Flor, Hillbilly Grill, Jim Barnard, Jerry Koerber – Alta’s Bait and Outdoors, Steve Estep, Computer Solutions – Annette Wetzel (owner), WesBanco Bank, Suzz’s Magic Art Studio, and Jack Hayes.

Another way to support the event is underwriting a wildlife print or item on the live or silent auctions, such as: McDonald’s Restaurant, Annet Wetzel, Tyler County Democratic Exec. Committee, Steve Estep, Candy Warner, New Martinsville Moose Lodge #931, Sara Cool, City-Wide Real Estate, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Union Bank, Bridgeport Equipment Sales and Rental, Momentive Performance Materials, Alta’s Bait and Outdoors, Country Roads Ford, Precision Plumbing and General Contracting Hunter’s Taxidermy – Chris McAdams, Prunty’s Pharmacy, R Calls – Randy McAdams, Denver Pelky, Myer’s Funeral Home, Huffman Tax SErvice, PPG Industries, Hillbilly Grill, Cross Taxidermy – Mike Cross, Bell Chevy, Wable Ford and others.

Most Notably, many have chosen to support the J.A.K.E.S. (Juniors, Acquiring, Knowledge, Ethics and Sortsmanship) program by underwriting JAKES memberships: such as Hayhurst Equipment, Jack Hayes, Jim Barnard, St. Marys Food Galaxy Food Center, Myers Funeral Home, Conaway Lake Grocery, The Fort Pizza, LInda Leasure – State Farm Insurance, Marble King, Dave Weekley, Gregory B. Null – Attorney at Law, Country Roads Discount Store, The Jug, Miller Heating and Cooling, Dr. Richard Stender, Alta’s Bait and Outdoors, Clay Hupp, Hillbilly Grill, Farmers Exchange, Ed Stine, Candy Warner, BFS Marathon Store #23, Wissmach Glass, Computer Solutions – Annette Wetzel (owner), Heritage General Contracting, Long Reach Federal Credit Union.

To quote John W. Whitead, “Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.” What kind of message are you sending?

Last year the Middle Island Longbeards, with the support of other individuals and businesses signed up over three hundred JAKES members, recognized as first in West Virginia by the WV state chapter of the NWTF, which shows their dedication to the local youth in the area. The Middle Island Longbeards have also been recognized by the National Wild Turkey Federation with six national awards for their outstanding JAKES events, as well as the “Best of the Best Award” for their JAKES program. Many in the area choose to support the JAKES program even if they are not hunters because the program teaches the youth such a wide scope of topics. If you or your business would like to help the chapter to accomplish the JAKES mission, now is a great time to do so. For other options or ways to support the NWTF, contact the Middle Island Longbeards today.

There has never been a better time to join the NWTF. By taking a membership prior to the event you are automatically entered in a drawing for a Bennelli Nova 12 ga. NWTF shotgun.

Space is limited and reservations are a must. Call 304-758-4374 today.

The Early Bird special is only good until March 1.