Emerald G. Parsons: Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Madison County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) members and guests were served a delicious seafood buffet meal Saturday evening, Feb. 25, during its annual meeting/banquet. The banquet was held at the Madison County Central School cafeteria.
The doors opened at 5 p.m. for all those who wanted to come early and browse through the many items on the silent auction table. The raffle booths were also open to the attendees ready to buy a chance on one of the many guns that were being given away during the night. Live auction items were also out on display for early viewing.
Before dinner began, all attending veterans were asked to go to the front of the room and were given a standing ovation.
After the dinner blessing and the Pledge of Allegiance, dinner was served. Dinner was comprised of fried fish, fried shrimp, boiled shrimp, scallops, fried oysters, crab cakes, hushpuppies, grits, potato salad, cole slaw, french fries, and drinks.
Following supper all children (Jakes) were given a free box turkey call.
The live auction, headed up by Ron Smoke, was a big highlight of the evening. Items ranging from framed prints, benches, turkey stamps, homemade turkey calls, trunks, and duffle bags were auctioned off during the evening.
Periodically, throughout the evening, the winners of the raffles were called out and presented with their winning guns. A total of 19 guns were given away.
The Madison County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) board members and committee members put together a spectacular Turkey Banquet each and every year. Pictured in the back row, from left to right, are: Lin Webb, Coye Frank Webb, Kelli and DeWayne O'Quinn, Blake Webb, Cody Davis and Steve Green. Pictured in the front row, from left to right, are: Shawn Webb, Wally Davis, Olivia Galbraith, Gracie Galbraith, Amanda Bish, Sara Ashley, Don Ashley, Brian Bish and Rick Davis.
The Madison County Board of Directors include: President – Wally Davis; Banquet Chairman – Shannon Webb; Secretary and Treasurer – Don Ashley. There are also many other committee members who finish making up the Madison County NWTF.
“If it wasn’t for the volunteers, we couldn’t make it. The National Wild Turkey Federation is the future of our youth,” stated Wally Davis. He went on to add that each county group (such as Madison’s) is made up of four departments: Regular members, Women and Outdoors, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, and JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship). He also stated the NWTF is the largest Conservation group in the United States. There are over 600,000 members nationwide.
The money that was raised during the Madison County NWTF banquet that evening stays in Madison County or goes to the State of Florida Chapter.
For more information on the Madison County National Wild Turkey Federation, readers may call Wally Davis at (850) 673-6630, or log on to www.nwtf.org.