Elk Conservation Dinner
On May 4, 2007 the Quinte Elk Restoration Committee hosted its 7th annual conservation dinner and auction at the Belleville Fish & Game Club. When the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) decided to leave Canada two years ago this committee of volunteers decided that they would try to make a go of it on their own. And so now they operate as the Quinte Elk Restoration Committee. They are incorporated and proceeding to becoming a charitable organization.
Over the years they have raised in excess of $80,000 in support of restoring elk to the Bancroft/North Hastings area. There is usually a silver lining somewhere in a dark cloud. In this case all monies raised at this dinner stay in the area whereas previously the majority went to the RMEF with a percentage remaining for local use. And so, last year when this group raised over $18,000 in their fund raising efforts, that money stayed. (Another fund raiser is a bus trip to view the elk; dinner included.) The group was able to purchase three sophisticated GPS tracking collars, at $4500 each, to assist in elk research and monitoring. They also purchased seed and fertilizer to plant specialized forage crops in two locations as well as hay and grain for the “Hartsmere Herd.” This determined bunch aim to promote the sound wildlife management of free-ranging elk in the area.
BBQ on Wheels from Springbrook once again catered the meal which featured elk, buffalo and roast beef. And no, none of the wild elk are missing. Apparently. Between 230-250 attended this very popular evening and, in keeping with its tradition since being cut loose from the NWTF they had the featured artist, again local, in attendance.
Brent Townsend’s art gallery is located in Campbellford. Townsend may forever best be known as the artist whose polar bear design is featured on the original two dollar coin, the “twoonie”, from 1996. He told me that there are in excess of 350 million of them out there. “At one per-cent per coin that would provide a tidy income,” I suggested.
“I wish,” he mused. Townsend’s Toronto backyard bordered on a ravine and the seed was planted. Older readers may recall the author Ernest Thompson Seaton (“Wild Animals I Have Known”) whose inspiration came from playing in the Don Valley as a youth. (Yes, the very same DVP whose bumper to bumper road reports you hear daily.) And likewise Brent’s fascination has grown to continental proportions. He was the first Canadian and the youngest person to win “Artist of the Year” from the Collectors Society at the Western and Wildlife Art Exhibition in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Townsend’s detailed art could almost be mistaken for photography, it is so precise. He has been featured as far away as Osaka and Tokyo, Japan.
Townsend donated three pieces – the musical ride, a chipmunk and “Jobes’ Lane” featuring Presqu’ile Provincial Park where the Jobes brothers used to farm. “They still refer to this roadway as Jobes’ Lane,” said the artist.
Kevin Hockley, no artistic slouch himself, was present with his magnificently restored elk bust. “Not bad for an old thing, eh?” he quipped. (I wasn’t sure whether he was referring to the bust or personally.) Hockley also has some sculptures on exhibit at the Townsend Gallery which is featuring some 20 Canadian Artists. Goto www.brenttownsend.ca for more details. Or call 1-866-454-4242.
Jason St. Michael, formerly of the NWTF and now representing the Safari Club International drove from Barrie to attend. Kevin Townsend (no relation to the artist – “I wish.”) of the NWTF also attended and both gentlemen ably assisted Auctioneer Paul Switzer who has been doing this dinner “like forever.”
“Over 1300 kms,” he claims.
“How could I forget,” quipped MC, Mr. Giant Tiger Havelock Bingley, from Campbellford. “The cheques in the mail.” As an aside Havelock told me, quite proudly, that one of his Vizla pointers finished first in its category.
Two of the auction items brought in both welcome dollars and added some humour. Not afraid to laugh at himself Auctioneer Switzer had trouble grasping that the luncheon tours with M.P.s Norlock and Kramp would be in Ottawa, not Toronto. “Where’s Leona?” he asked. (At the time she was a local M.P.)
The committee hopes to purchase some more GPS collars and to continue its support of elk research. In fact, with declining ministry funding, such volunteer efforts as by this “determined bunch” is critical to its continuance.
AND FINALLY…
The Recipe for Holy Water – Take a pot of water, place it one the back burner, and “boil the hell out of it.” The Chairman’s minister provided this recipe.
PHOTO- Left to right – Chairman Murray Locke and featured artist Brent Townsend with “Jobes’ Lane.”