Raymonds winner of VIA Rail Round Trip London to Halifax

Peter and Sally Lou Raymond were the winning bidders for the VIA Rail trip for two (courtesy of VIA Rail), round-trip London to Halifax, at the 2010 Conservation Dinner held Thursday, April 15, 2010 at South Huron Recreation Centre in Exeter. Above, Peter Raymond holds the VIA Rail sign. The dream trip is a return trip, economy sleeper class, for two. Close to 400 people attended this year’s gala charitable Conservation Dinner and the live auction included some lively bidding on one-of-a-kind items including a dream excursion round-trip London to Halifax courtesy VIA Rail; an Exeter Hawks 50th anniversary sign crafted by Mike Brintnell; a parliamentary tour, dinner and accommodation courtesy Huron-Bruce MPP Ben Lobb; a beautiful eagle talking stick, and stand, hand-carved by Ted Jones; a chance to have your name appear in a novel by international award-winning author Susanna Kearsley, and memorabilia signed by stars of sports, cinema, popular music and literature. It is estimated that this year's dinner has raised close to $40,000 for conservation education and recreation opportunities, accessible trails, commemorative woods and other conservation efforts.

Conservation Dinner raises $40,000 for conservation efforts

Another success in 2010 thanks to donors, patrons, volunteers

Gala auction included VIA Rail dream trip London to Halifax return, Exeter Hawks anniversary plaque, autographed memorabilia from sports and entertainment stars
Generous donors, patrons and volunteers made the 2010 Conservation Dinner another success for efforts to create accessible trails, conservation education and recreation opportunities for youth, commemorative woods and other conservation efforts, the committee announced.
Preliminary figures suggest this year’s dinner is again approaching the $40,000 mark for conservation efforts. The committee expressed thanks to everyone who made the event such a success. The dinner has raised close to $590,000 over its 21-year history thanks to the watershed community, the Exeter Lions Club, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, and other supporters.
More than 400 people attended this year’s gala charitable dinner and auction and the live auction included some lively bidding on one-of-a-kind items including a dream excursion round-trip for two, London to Halifax, courtesy VIA Rail; an Exeter Hawks 50th anniversary sign crafted by Mike Brintnell; a parliamentary tour, dinner and accommodation courtesy Huron-Bruce MPP Ben Lobb; a beautiful eagle talking stick, and stand, hand-carved by Ted Jones; a chance to have your name appear in a novel by international award-winning author Susanna Kearsley, and memorabilia signed by stars of sports, cinema, popular music and literature.
For information on the Conservation Dinner visit conservationdinner.com or abca.on.ca Donations are still welcome to the Conservation Dinner, c/o Ausable Bayfield Conservation, 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, ON N0M 1S5.

VIA Rail round-trip for two to Halifax among great auction items at this year’s Conservation Dinner

Slapshot’s loveable Hanson Brothers sign Charlestown Chief jerseys, other auction items came from acclaimed authors, sports stars, artists and more

The 2010 Conservation Dinner of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, Exeter Lions Club, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) and the watershed community was one of the most exciting galas yet this past Thursday, April 15, 2010 at the South Huron Recreation Centre in Exeter.
Some of the amazing live auction items this year, at the 21st anniversary gala charitable dinner and auction, included a beautiful eagle talking stick, and stand, hand-carved by Ted Jones, a VIA Rail dream trip for two – return, London to Halifax – and a Charlestown Chiefs hockey jersey autographed by the famous motion picture Hanson brothers (from the famous Paul Newman movie, ‘Slapshot’).
Other special auction items available for bidding at this year’s gala charitable dinner include:
* Become a character in a novel by award-winning novelist Susanna Kearsley – plus three of her autographed books.
* Enjoy a private wine and cheese reception at Hessenland Country Inn in St. Joseph with author Rick Hundey and playwrights Paul Ciufo and David Scott
* Framed BTO album signed by two members of Bachman-Turner Overdrive
* Original painting, ‘Winter at Hullett,’ by artist Tim Clark
* 2010 Olympic Package - Team Canada Hockey Jersey, Jacket
* Exeter Hawks 50th Anniversary Sign crafted by Mike Brintnell
* Ottawa Parliamentary Tour: two-night stay at Radisson Hotel, lunch, tickets to Question Period with tour and dinner at Hy’s Steak House courtesy of Ben Lobb, MP Huron-Bruce
* Pendant with 28 brilliant cut Diamonds, Cubic Zirconium Stone, 18 karat Rose Gold Chain and Cushion.)
* Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks signed photo
These are just some of the items which were available for bidding at this year’s live and silent auctions.
To donate money to support the dinner and its work, please phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or visit online at abca.on.ca or conservationdinner.com.

The gala Conservation Dinner includes a live auction of art and other unique items, a silent auction, special raffles and general raffles. Tickets for the gala dinner are $50 per person and patrons received a charitable gift receipt for half that amount. To find out if you can still get a ticket, phone 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610.
Thanks to donors, patrons and volunteers the Conservation Dinner has raised more than $550,000 over its 20-year history for conservation initiatives such as accessible trails, commemorative woods, fish stocking of the reservoir for young anglers, conservation education for young people and more. The gala evening includes the meal, live auction, silent auction, general raffles, special raffles.
The Conservation Dinner committee is made up of community volunteers including members of the Exeter Lions Club, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) and the watershed community.
For information on the Conservation Dinner visit conservationdinner.com or abca.on.ca