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Waterfowl supporters turn out for Ducks Unlimited benefit

Thousands raised at annual banquet for habitat conservation
Eastern Sussex Chapter of Ducks Unlimited Committee officers include (l-r) Nate Graulich, vice chairman; Raymond Harp, chairman; and Kevin Halsey, secretary. BY DENNIS FORNEY
Dennis Forney
December 12, 2014
Gillian Cannon shows off a black Labrador puppy that was available during the live auction for a new outdoors family. BY DENNIS FORNEY
Among those on hand to support Ducks Unlimited are (l-r) Ken Gray, Scott Joseph, Steve Lee, Gene Perry, Sean Brooks and Fletcher Kenton. BY DENNIS FORNEY
Boy Scouts and leaders from Long Neck Troop 105 show up each year to bus tables and help out at the banquet.  On hand this year are in back (l-r) Dave Wimmer, Sharon Joseph, Andrew Joseph, Traver Beachboard, Josh Griffin and Scoutmaster Mick Light.  In front are (l-r) Dylan Gravely, Max Merwitz, De'shaun Bratten and Alex Miller. BY DENNIS FORNEY
Present and former committee members for the Eastern Sussex Chapter of Ducks Unlimited provide support for the annual event.  Shown are (l-r) Bill Lingo, Pat Martin, Kenny Hopkins, John Hall and Bill Martin. BY DENNIS FORNEY
Paul Mylander and his wife, Pat, are regular supporters at the DU banquets.  They are shown here with Ducks Unlimited Regional Director Tony Senn. BY DENNIS FORNEY
Nicole Irvin and Jordan Plivelich had no problem enjoying themselves at the banquet and auction and supporting a good cause. BY DENNIS FORNEY
Amy Pollitt, left, Sherry Penuel and Ross Haley take a break from checking out silent auction items. BY DENNIS FORNEY

The outdoors came indoors at Rehoboth Beach Convention Center Friday night, Dec. 5. There were dogs and guns, and fishing and hunting trips, lots of camouflage and outdoors-related auction items, and plenty of enthusiasm for conservation that supports waterfowl in particular, and wildlife in general.

It was the Eastern Sussex Chapter of Ducks Unlimited's annual banquet and auction, held the first Friday in December.

"We're here to make sure we have habitat for our kids to enjoy in the future," said Chapter Chairman Raymond Harp. Vice Chairman Nate Graulich also chimed in.  "I've been hunting all my life.  It's my passion.  This is a great conservation organization, and I enjoy the fellowship and feeling of brotherhood I get from working with all the committee members."

This year's event - with ticket sales, raffles, silent and live auctions - raised thousands of dollars to support the international Ducks Unlimited conservation efforts.  The success added another feather in the cap of the Delaware collection of Ducks Unlimited chapters.

Tony Senn, regional director for DU, said Delaware's fundraising efforts are up this year 8 percent over last year. "The increases are coming up and down the state," said Senn.  "We're very pleased."

Senn said University of Delaware has its first DU chapter this year, largely because of the efforts of local duck hunters Kyle Samms and Michael Bateman.  "It's great seeing this next generation of hunters and outdoorsmen getting involved."

In Delaware, Ducks Unlimited has been involved in the conservation of more than 7,200 acres of waterfowl habitat.

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