WOODVILLE – The 13th Annual Wild Game Dinner took in $40,100 Saturday night at Woodville First Baptist’s Family Life Center in donations and bids on 24 items, including 17 guns and several other quality donations from a host of local persons and business.
Several high-end guns won bids of over $2,000. Such was the generosity of guests.
Of the total, over $5,000 was collected in the cash offerings from around the tables.
Over 300 came to feast on duck, alligator, pheasant, goose, venison, quail, squirrel, elk orix, as well as fried fish and several kinds of sausage. The teams cooked for three days.
First Baptist teamed up with Dogwood Hills, whose Pastor Les Steubing led the opening prayer. Keynote was led by Pastor Gil McKee who led First Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for 25 years.
As they have done each year, a local committee chose the recipient of this year’s cherished Hunting Heritage Award. Ranny Abston of Dogwood Hills and Mark Tolar of First Baptist introduced the accomplishments and generosity of Daniel Nash who has helped with the banquet all these years.
Next, Tina Barnes was awarded Hunting Heritage Award for her long-time service, country charm, and various outdoors activities.
The plaques given to Abston and Barnes highlighted the value of quality family time, one-on-one, father-to-son or -daughter, and mother-to-son or -daughter times, those special memories together in the wild woods, on the lake, and over campfires. All to the glory of God and love of family.
Then, to surprise all, Preston Broom walked up with another plague, this time to honor Mark Tolar for his behind-the-scenes efforts, the key to all, ever a humble servant, who has selflessly given and worked to bring all together. Tolar has been an avid hunter, hunting guide, executive with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and had hunted with many of the hunters present. He networked each year with a host of sports and hunting organizations and more.
The Nathan Areno Band entertained with classic country hits tuned to the outdoors.
Decorated with Elk and a stuffed mountain lion, the front podium hosted all the items to be auctioned. There was a roughneck 9 .mm derringer by Bond Arms.
McClure Furniture donated a vintage Coca-Cola ice chest with six-packs of bottle Cokes.
Midland Pastor Byron Williams donated a custom handmade knife.
Dogwood Hills Men’s Group donated a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, and Ranny Abston and David McClintock gave a Mossberg 18-gauge shotgun.
Quade and Drake Allison gave a huge Cox Deer Feeder.
Texas Materials gave a large donation and donated a Ruger American Gen II 6.5 Grendel rifle with a lifetime warranty.
Local sports outfitter Cypress & Creed gave a high-end rugged waterproof Turtlebox Bluetooth Speaker.
Zolman Construction gave a RTIC 32-quart Ultra-Light Cooler.
Ron Sweeten gave a bronze sculpture of a whitetail deer.
Mark and Colleen Tolar gave a high-end Mossberg 308 rifle with several custom features.
Prime Acres give two finished deer skulls.
Houston/Southeast Ducks Unlimited gave a Akkar 28ga 28-inch over and under Mossy Oak dark earth camo blades shotgun, “one of the finest for shooting waterfowl.”
These and more guns were professionally auctioned off Scott Droddy with Mark and Colleen Tolar showcasing each item among the guests.
At the end, Tolar gave away a host of door prizes according to tickets given to each guest.
The last gift given to a lucky ticket holder was new Ruger American 22.
A big thanks to Sherrif Bryan Weatherford for security, and a big thanks to Bob’s Pawn Shop who provided the legal transfer of the guns to the highest bidders after passing a federal background check.
