Heartland Gobblers banquet grows, despite pandemic

Despite all the things going on locally with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Heartland Gobblers chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation had a successful banquet Saturday night.

“We got lucky to have it, but it went over well,” said chapter president Chuck Stewart.

The event drew 180 people, Stewart said, which was up a bit from last year’s banquet.

The annual banquet raised $49,000 for the NWTF’s habitat programs, Stewart noted, which also was slightly above last year’s number.

The banquet, at the Brown-Mabry American Legion Post 153 in Poplar Bluff, began with a social hour with games, raffles and a silent auction.

“All the games and raffles did well,” said Stewart, “and our silent auction items did too.”

Everything from hunting gear to home decor, framed prints, knives and specialty NWTF logo merchandise was up for grabs.

A steak dinner was served by the Legion’s cook team, which, Stewart said, was well received.

“They did a really good job with the food,” he noted.

Volunteer auctioneers Haven Willis, Speedy Ketcherside and Felix Baker ran the after-dinner live auction, which Stewart also noted went well.

“All three of the auctioneers did an excellent job and helped items bring in the most money,” he said.

During the event, Puxico High School senior Holden Placher was presented with the Heartland Gobblers’ annual scholarship.

Twenty-four guns were given away during the banquet, Stewart noted, with the NWTF Gun of the Year, a 20-gauge Benelli Montefeltro, going home with Tim Schwent.

A big part of the success of this year’s banquet, Stewart said, was the 55 local sponsors, who helped cut overall costs.

“We can’t thank our sponsors enough for all they do,” said Stewart.