The Wild Game Dinner 2020 Highlights

The 25th Annual Wild Game Dinner on February 1st was once again a big success!  The Willow Wood banquet room was again packed to capacity for this sold-out extravaganza. There were many new faces in the crowd this year, giving testimony to the increasing popularity of this event.

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Event Chairman Pete Weller did an outstanding job in heading things up.  Pete has worked tirelessly for months in preparation for the big night.  There were many, many, many door prizes and other fantastic “white ticket” prizes to be won throughout the night---not to mention the BBQ banquet catered by Smoke N’ Pig---and the sumptuous alligator provided and shipped up from Florida by Oren Best and prepared by Aaron and Nikki from Terry’s Woodbury Café.

 

It was a fantastic night!  

 

First off, Pete would like to thank all of the helpers that assisted him in this year’s event:

 

Matt Grosshans

Steve Grosshans

Jeff Gibbs

Betsy Gibbs

Darrin Weller

Elijah Weller

Ashton Weller

Gracie Grosshans

Dave Newman

Craig Cappon

Trent Cappon

Mandy Grosshans

Christina Grosshans

Wayne Simmons

Deb Hughes

Quinn Hoffman

Sarah Howes

 

Your time and efforts are truly appreciated!  We are truly blessed to have people like these so willing to serve to help the kids and our community.  THANK YOU!

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Our Chairman Pete Weller started a new tradition at last year’s dinner, first by acknowledging military veterans in attendance, thanking them for their service, and presenting the oldest veteran present an American flag.  This year’s recipient was Mark Norris, (pictured below), receiving his flag that has flown over the Capital, from Angela Witwer, Michigan 71st. District House of Representatives member.

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Pictured, (center below) is Wade Almie, special drawing winner of a hand crafted Bowie knife made of Damascus steel presented by Taurin Franklin (left) and Bon Jasso (right) representing Sabersmith, Inc.

The Sabersmith folks are members of the SPY’s Corporate Sponsor program.  To learn more about Sabersmith and the unique products the manufacture we invite you to visit their website at www.sabersmith.com.

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Pictured (below left) is Dan Moody of D & D Products in Saranac, that specializes in hydraulic and pneumatic sales, service, and installation, who was one of the major donors at this year’s event presenting a Savage .350 to super lucky “white ticket” drawing winner Jim Carr.

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Pictured (below right) is Raj Singh, owner of Marko’s Sunoco down on the corner in Sunfield, who is a member of the SPY’s Corporate Sponsor Program presenting a complete crossbow set, with many accessories, to Mark Hanna, another lucky “white ticket” drawing winner .

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Pictured above relaxing in his new Mapes Furniture donated electric recliner covered with an outdoor scenic fabric, is Will Gragg.

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he chair was donated by Rebecca Calabro, of Mapes Furniture Company, long-time member of the SPY’s Corporate Sponsor program and a tremendous community booster.  She is pictured below with Steve Grosshans, President of the SPY’s.

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A big thank you for this year's white ticket drawing prize donors: 

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Raj & Marko’s Sunoco

 

Becky & Mapes Furniture

 

Dan Moody of D & D Products

 

Chris Brace of Michigan Tax & Financial

 

Eric Brummette

 

Jim Carr of Bader & Sons

 

Sabersmith

 

Buddy & Jari Collins

 

John & Sandy Fisher

 

Paul Campbell of Campbell & Sons

 

Mark Woodman Plumbing & Heating

 

Pete Weller

 

Blair Landscaping

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Also, a big THANK YOU to Rob Piercefield of the legendary Swede's Grill in Mulliken

who once again supplied delicious appetizers.

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Pictured above left is Dan Moody of D&D Products in Saranac, that specializes in hydraulic and pneumatic sales, service and installation, who was one of the major donors at this year's event, presents a muzzle loader to Michael Haskin (right).  Pictured in the center is Michael's lucky charm, Levi.

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Pictured above right is Jim Carr, manager of the Bader & Sons John Deere store in Grand Ledge presenting a Stihl backpack leaf blower to Tyler Root. 

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Pictured above right is John Fisher who donated a special MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo autographed basketball to white ticket drawing winner Stephanie Westendorf. 

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A big thank you to this year's opening round drawing prize donors:

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Bee Line Concrete

Brian & Sue Spitzley

B R Construction

Buddy & Jari Collins

Buddy’s On The Beach

Caledonia Farmers Elevator

Centennial Acres Golf Course

Douglas Packaging Machines

Ed Smith Welding

Haskin Farms

Jason Makley

Linda’s Corner Landing

Logan’s Roadhouse

Mark Hanna

Ginger Howe & McCartney Insurance

Morris Maple Leaf Farm

Musgrove Grain

Oren Best & Best Tax Service

Precision Grade

Specialty Industries Inc. (SII)

Smoke N’ Pig

Station Deli

Steve Spitzley

Terry’s Woodbury Café

Tim Rumfield

Union Bank

Vern’s Sport & Repair

Pete Weller

Walkington Well Drilling

Willow Wood Golf Course

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Your support for this event is truly appreciated.  It helps tremendously our ability to continue to provide the many programs we sponsor for area youth and the community.  Thank You!!!

 

Stacey Nurenberg Is A Double Big Prize Winner

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Pictured (right) is Paul Campbell of Campbell & Sons presenting the 2-person tree stand to Stacey Nurenberg.  This was the first of her big wins.

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Pictured (center) once again is Stacey Nurenberg holding her big prize treasure chest from HSV Redi-Mix.  This unique prize was good for 14 yards of aggregate and 5 yards of concrete.  Pictured with Stacey representing HSV is (left) Trish Snedegar and (right) Rich Challender.

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Mike Manne Wins Gun Safe

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Pictured (left) is Matt Grosshans who drew the winning ticket for the fabulous gun safe.  The guy with the smiling face

on the right is the new owner Mike Manne.  The gun safe “white ticket” prize was donated by

Chris Brace of Michigan Tax & Financial.

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Pictured (far left and far right) are Candace and Nick Spitzley providers of some of the prizes in the “white ticket” treasure chest drawings.  The winners were (left to right next to Candace) Josh Lyke, who won a $100 Meijer gift card; Zoe Brummette, who won a meat bundle; Brittni Brummette, who also won a meat bundle; and Tyler Root, who won the third meat bundle.

 

The Treasure Chest prizes were underwritten by Mark Woodman Plumbing & Heating; Blair Landscaping; and Pete Weller.

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Don Kenyon Wins Outdoor Hunting Group

 

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Pictured (center) is Don Kenyon winner of the outdoor hunting group, which included a Hub Blind and a Buddy portable heater.  This “white ticket” prize was donated by Eric & Brittni Brummette, who are pictured on each side of Don.

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Mike Satterlee Wins Custom Built Cooler And Craft Beer

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Pictured (left) is Jordan Porter who did the honors of drawing the winning ticket for a custom made cooler that was crafted for the event by Ed Kruger and filled with a variety of craft beer.  Pictured (right) is the smiling lucky winner, Mike Satterlee.

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