Desert Bighorn fraternity holds annual banquet
The Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn had its 2011 fundraiser banquet May 21 at the South Point to celebrate local participants who give of their time and resources to help manage the desert bighorn sheep and other wildlife found in Southern Nevada.
Fraternity President Paul Harris told the crowd that helicopters were used to inspect 878 water developments in 17 mountain ranges to ensure that guzzlers/troughs the fraternity built and transported to the mountains were still in good shape and still holding water for the animals for the hot summer months ahead.
Harris and Clint Bentley emceed the event and gave a special thank-you to Sundance Helicopters, Tiberti Fence Co., South Point, Rich Taylor and Lupe Gallegos, Nevada Beverage, Spurlock's Gun Shop and the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
During the reception, many of the 350 guests, including Debbie Pingul, John Wasserburger, Jimmy Johnson, Bonnie Graham, Lane and Bert Corderiro, John Gaynor and Tom Kerestesi, participated in a silent auction for 27 items, such as a Lake Mead Black Canyon kayak tour, hot-air balloon ride, sterling silver belt buckle, dinner at the Stratosphere's Top of the World restaurant, and a kachina carving and Navajo etched pot.
Opportunity tickets provided the possibility of winning one of 15 items, such as a Coach purse and Native American turquoise jewelry. There were 14 youth packages, and tickets were sold for items such as a flat-screen TV, golf rounds, antique guns, and sporting and hunting equipment.
Kevin Janison, weathercaster at KSNV-TV, Channel 3, conducted a live auction. A Montana cattle drive for two raised $2,500; a five-day mountain lion hunt sold for $4,300; a seven-day African safari was won for $1,700; and $3,000 bought an Alaskan fishing and bear hunt. Also, a 12-day Rocky Mountain bighorn horseback hunt went for $15,000; a six-day trail ride for two in Alberta, Canada sold for $1,700; and a 5-month-old German shorthaired pointer puppy raised $1,400.
Among the winners were Councilman Steve Ross, Ron Lurie, Nancy Stockman, Brian Patterson, Cindy Bentley, Ed Kane, Terry Campbell, Zachary Anderson, Brett Jefferson, Bill Halvorsen, Tim Morse, Claudette and Bob Omiecinski. Past president Joe Hansen announced that fraternity secretary Susan Dunham was the recipient of the President's Award.
