Outdoors Column: Ducks Unlimited banquets on horizon

Gregg Holshouser - Outdoors Columnist

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It's party time for waterfowl hunters, outdoorsmen and just plain conservationists in the Grand Strand vicinity, and this time of year that means local chapters of Ducks Unlimited are gearing up for their annual fundraising banquets.

The banquets are the financial lifeblood of Ducks Unlimited projects and the local events for the Georgetown, Grand Strand and North Strand chapters of the grassroots organization will be held in the next few weeks.

The Grand Strand and North Strand chapters both rank among the top 100 fundraising chapters out of nearly 4,000 nationwide, meaning the banquets are very popular and successful around here. Why? Having helped to establish his chapter over 30 years ago, Grand Strand Chapter Chairman Rick Baumann has the answer.

"Everybody in this part of the country loves a good ol' party and there's no better value than the banquets," Baumann said. "You can enjoy quality adult libations, [the cost is] a tax-deductible donation and have wonderful food for four hours. One of the main reasons Ducks Unlimited is so popular is because it's a wonderful party for a great cause."

Conserving wetlands is at the top of Ducks Unlimited's to-do list, not only on a national scale but continent-wide, and the conservation of wetlands provides a myriad of benefits. Not only ducks and other waterfowl but hundreds of other species of wildlife benefit from DU's wetlands conservation. Wetlands, of course, also help improve the quality of groundwater.

DU's Habitat Conservation Programs have conserved total acreage of 12,612,968 in North America since the organization was founded in 1937.

Following are the details of the banquets for the local chapters:

Georgetown Chapter: The banquet will be held Thursday at the Winyah Indigo Society Hall located at 509 Prince Street in Georgetown. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Only 250 tickets are available for the banquet. Tickets are $70, $100 for couples. Sponsorships start at $250.

Food selections will include venison, shrimp and gator tail. For more information, call Pate Ford at 843-240-2701.

Grand Strand Chapter: The banquet will be held Nov. 6 at SBB-4 Corners in Murrells Inlet. The evening kicks off with an Early Bird preview hour for the chapters sponsors from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Doors open for general admission at 6 p.m. with dinner catered by Outback Steakhouse at 7 p.m. The Grand Auction follows at 8 p.m.

Baumann and his committee have downgraded ticket prices for this year to $50 for single tickets and $75 for couples, a $25 decrease from recent years.

"It makes for a very affordable evening," Baumann said. "Where else can you go out and enjoy an open bar and great steak dinner for such a small expenditure?"

The chapter's annual Greenwing Day for junior DU members will be held Nov. 14 at A Dogs Way Inn in Murrells Inlet. The event is free and features a fun and educational day encouraging youngsters to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly.

For more information, call Baumann at 457-8126.

North Strand Chapter: The banquet will be held Nov. 8 at the North Myrtle Beach Bingo Plaza on Hwy. 9 beside Marine Service Center.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for a cocktail hour before dinner is served by The Todd House. The auction begins at 8 p.m. along with games and prizes for the Greenwing members.

Tickets are $85 per couple with DU Sponsorships available beginning at $300. For more information, call John Breeden III at 843-457-8602.