The 2006 Annual Federation Banquet
The Annual Federation banquet was once again held
at the Montpelier Elks Club, on Saturday, March 18th.
The banquet was a great success and the crowd of
over 300 had an evening of fun, friends and prizes.
The evening started off with Vermont National Guard
Adjutant General Martha Rainville drawing the winning
ticket for the Green Mountain Boys Gun.
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VT National Guard Adjutant General Martha Rainville draws the winning ticket as MC Bill Leipold
and a packed banquet room of 300 looks on.
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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The Green Mountain Boys Gun was won by Rep. Alan Parent
(R) of St. Albans, Vermont. Rep. Parent was not present for the
drawing. He picked up the pistol several days later. Rep. Parent
serves on the House Fish & Wildlife Committee. For more
photos of General Rainville click here.
This pistol was a unique Beretta pistol was from a one time
production for the NRA. For more information on this unique
pistol and the postcard campaign click here.
The Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, NRA State
Association, also presented Adjutant General Rainville with
a bronze statue entitled "The Patriot." The statue was a gift
for permanent display in the Vermont National Guard Museum
at Camp Johnson. This handsome statue is of a Revolutionary
War Minute Man and the first of a series of statues from the
Friends of the NRA Banquets.
Adjutant General Rainville addresses a hushed audience on the service of
the VT National Guard
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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Dinner followed, and after an excellent meal by the Montpelier Elks Club kitchen staff,
the winners from the silent auction were announced.
One of the most interesting events of the Federation Banquet is the youngsters prize
drawing. These youngsters win some great prizes. There were a couple of firearms,
air guns, fishing poles and tackle, compasses, and a good prize for all of the young
folks. Everybody enjoys this time, especially these very happy winners.
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Looking over the prizes to be won.
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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Every year the Federation honors a few individuals for their long service in protecting
the rights and interests of our community. This year the Federation honored Harry &
Ann Montague and Jim Chapman, whose decades of work for the Federation is
simply overpowering. Gene Booska of Snowsville General Store in East Braintree,
was also recognized for his long history of generous support for the causes of shooters
and the outdoors sporting community.
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Federation Treasurer Mark McCarthy present a plaque
to Anne & Harry Montague.
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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Mark presents plaque to Jim Chapman.
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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Mark presents plaque to Gene Booska.
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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The live auction was a highly entertaining event, run by auctioneer Warren Earle
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"I'll tell you when to stop bidding.".
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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During the live auction a heated bidding over a doll one bidder placed his cute young daughter on his shoulders and announced this was who the other bidder was against.
The crowded room broke into loud laughter and applause. The bidding was over and
the little girl won her doll.
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The doll won by a little girl who really wanted it.
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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The live auction is never boring. It is
lively, loud and about the most fun you can have on a Saturday night in March.
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Auctioneer Warren Earle has folks undivided attention.
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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The night finishes with the drawing of the winners of the games. By the time
the last prize had been handed out the crowd had had a full night of good times.
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Excited winners & prize.
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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The Federation Annual Banquet is really a friends and family event. Good friends
and entire families are really the essential element of the night.
The Federation thanks all of the individuals, businesses and organizations
donating prizes, time and other resources to make the banquet a success.
A special thanks to the members of the Federation Banquet Committee.
They always make the Federation Annual Banquet a winner. (More photos below)
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Senator Peter Welch of Windsor County (center) with serious shotgun competitors Bigras family of Barre
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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Mark McCarthy addressing the audience
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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Adjutant General Martha Rainville speaks with a friend and VT Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Wayne LaRouche (center)
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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A crew of folks having a good time.
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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Senator Mark Shepard of Bennington County (standing) speaks with
friends.
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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Nice young man brings elderly father to banquet
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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Congressman Bernie Sanders seated with outstanding young shotgun competitor of Bigras family.
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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General Rainville buying Green Mountain Boys Gun raffle ticket
from John Nelson (center) & Dick Guyette (right)
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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Senator Peter Welch (standing) and House Fish & Wildlife Chairman
Steve Adams speaking in the background.
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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Senator Mark Shepard and Congressman Bernie Sanders
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Charles M. Ferry photo
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