Longbeards hold 11th annual banquet

GUN OF THE YEAR — Rick Barnard is presented with the 2009 Gun of the Year.
The Middle Island Longbeards chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation held their 11th Anniversary Hunter Heritage Superfund Banquet on Saturday, March 21 at the Momentive Performance Materials Training Facility, South W.Va. 2 at Bens Run.
The event kicked off at 5 p.m. with a social hour, a silent auction and raffle ticket sales. After a welcome, introduction and invocation, a dinner catered by Quinet’s Court Restaurant was served.
Afterwards, a live auction took place with auctioneer Russ Clem conducting the selling of many items including artwork, furniture and more.
The evening ended with W.I.T.O drawings, raffle drawings, drawings for gun of the year, J.A.K.E.S. gun of the year, and J.A.K.E.S. sign-up guns.
The Middle Island Longbeards chapter was formed in 1998 and became a chartered chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation on February 18, 1999. Since that time they have realized many goals and accomplished much for the wild turkey.
They have grown steadily over the years and were successful with many conservation projects.
They have worked with several other organizations and the local community to accomplish the mission of the NWTF.
The National Wild Turkey Federation is a qualified, non-profit conservation organization and the money spent that night served as donations.
They would like to thank everyone who sponsored, donated and underwrote items. Those groups and people include: Bob Leasure, Hillbilly Grill; Steve Estep, Friendly Woodworks; Jerry Koerber, Alta’s Bait and Outdoors; Jim Barnard; Seckman Farms, Donald Seckman; Jack Hayes, Tyler County Assessor; Suzz’s Magic Art Studio, Sulayne Brooks; WesBanco Banks in Tyler and Wetzel counties; Computer Solutions; Zac Leasure; McDonald’s; Ace Home Center, Candy Warner, Tyler County Circuit Clerk, New Martinsville Moose Lodge No. 931, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Bob Kendle, Bridgeport Equipment Sales and Rental, Momentive Performance Materials, Swarovski Optik, Scent Lok Odor Eliminating Technology, Matt Ferrebee, Precision Plumbing and General Contracting, Prunty’s Pharmacy, R Calls, Denver Pelkey, Myer’s Funeral Home, Muzzy Bad to the Bone, Sara Cool, Union Bank, Wildlife Research Center, Burris Optics, PPG Industries, Alta’s Bait and Outdoors, C’Mere Deer by E.S.T., Wolverine Boots and Shoes, Hayhurst Equipment, Luke Furbee, Jim Barnard, St. Marys Food Galaxy, The Fort Pizza, State Farm Insurance by Linda Leasure, Troy Tallman, Country Roads Discount Store, Farmer’s Exchange, Dave Weekley, Furbee Funeral Home, Dr. Richard Stender, Clay Hupp, The Jug, Drilling Appalachian Corp., Long Reach Employees Federal Credit Union, Country Roads Ford, Hunters Taxidermy, Did’s Designs, Mike Cross Taxidermy, Cabela’s, Tin Ceiling, Burris Optics, Tyler Artisan’s CO-OP, Barth’s Florist, The Flower Basket and Gift Shop, The Wetzel Chronicle, The Tyler Star News, Walton’s Electric Supply, Fashion Bug, Tawnya’s Family PIzza, Dairy Queen, Performance Honda, Dyer’s Body Shop, Crane Baits, Occasional Floral and Gifts, Marble King, Moundsville Pepsi, Radio Shack, Tyler Feeds, King’s Corner, Sweet Pickin’s Floral and Gifts, Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino and Racetrack, Headquarters, Tyler Outdoor Store, AT&T Mobility, Off the Wall, Phillips Pharmacy, Conaway Lake Grocery, Susie’s Crafts and Supplies, Bridgeport Equipment and Tool Sales and Rental, J and T Paving and Excavating, Heads up Taxidermy, and the Sistersville Fire Department.