AES 2007 Banquet (pictures will open in a larger format if you CLICK on them)
On March 24, 2007 the Arizona Elk Society held its 6th annual banquet resulting in yet another successful banquet. The numbers reflect the incredible amount of effort that so many people put into that one day and night each year. People lineup for BalloonsI have had the privilege of working all six banquets and each year I am more impressed with how well the event is handled, how smoothly the whole night seems to go and how the numbers stay so astronomically high.

I had a moment to reflect just prior to the opening of the doors when the general public streams in. Sharon Eichelberger, the QB (stands for quarterback, or queen bee) listed off every committee person’s name and the duties each person had for the evening. The Banquet TeamI looked at the sea of embroidered backs and started counting. We had over 50 people wearing those shirts. Some organizations are lucky to have 15 people working at their banquets. Not only do we have over twice that many volunteers, many of them have been at the AES annual banquet for all 6 years. The knowledge of what the public wants, the desire to have a successful banquet and the detailed planning has turned this annual event into what I will call the “perfect storm” of banquets.

The months of planning, the endless meetings at the VFW hall and the countless sales calls that all the volunteers make searching for donations are what makes this night so special. I know how hard Sharon and Cookie plan all year for this event, how the date is set one year in advance and how everyone who donates plays such a big part in the success.

The Ballroom very fullI could spout all the great numbers and for those who want to know, we really did net over $342,000 in one night. I could thank the Lord my name is not Steve Clark (rumor has it that he really does have another business to run). I could also thank all the folks who came through the doors and spent their hard earned money helping to support elk and elk habitat.

To all of you, we extend our heartfelt thanks. For once however, I would like to especially thank all who worked that day and night. The list below was obtained from the archives of Sharon Eichelberger and every one of you deserves a great deal of thanks.

By John Koleszar

ARIZONA ELK SOCIETY BANQUET COMMITTEE MEMBERS

David Baril
Leo Balthazor
Bobbie Balthazor
Esther Cadzow
John Cadzow
Harry Carlson
Shawn Carnahan
Lisa Carnahan
Jim Carney
Suzy Carney
Pete Cimellaro
Cathy Cimellaro
Chip Church
Dee Clark
Steve Clark
Dee Kennedy
Mike Kennedy

Diane Kincaid
Todd Coleman
Ralph Denhart
Chuck Decker
Julie Decker
Neal Dial
Bill Didio
Joi Didio
Amber Eichelberger
Brandon Eichelberger
Ron Eichelberger
Sharon Eichelberger
Tim Evans
Carl Hargis
Shelly Hargis
Glen Jones
Kara Kennedy
Mel Kincaid
John Koleszar
John Krause
Manny Madrid
Tianna Madrid
Lin Maschner
Gary Maschner
Steve McGaughey
Lori McGaughey
Jim Mullins
Gregory Naff
Norman Naff
Megan Naff
Cookie Nicoson
Walt Nicoson
Mark Nixon
Bob Olds
Pete Page
Sally Page
Denise Parkhurst
Bob Read
Tom Schorr
Greg Stainton
Doug Stancill
Pat Stancill
Wendy Stressman Tice Supplee
Pat Swafford
Kathi Thompson
Joan Toner
John Toner
Christian Wolff
Wrapping gift for the Raffle a 'Live' auction item A Family Affair
The busy Silent Auction area Sharon and Ron receiving one of the Habitat Partners awards A Happy Winner
The General Raffle tumbler filling up The Ladies Raffle area Walt and Dee at the Membership table
 
 
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