SAM banquet draws big turnout of sportsmen
By V. Paul Reynolds
The Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine held its 51st annual banquet on Sept 5 at the Elk’s Lodge in Waterville. More than 300 sportsmen and women turned out for the festive fund-raising event, which was attended by sportsmen and women, guides, outfitters and a number of political luminaries including U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine and a host of candidates for political office.
The banquet featured special awards, a full course meal, a silent auction, a live auction and a bucket raffle. Prizes ranged from rifle and fishing equipment and dozens of outdoor related items.
During the evening, which was emceed by Northwoods Sporting Journal Editor V. Paul Reynolds and hosted by David Trahan, executive director of SAM, and Mike Parker, SAM president, a number of awards were presented to individuals for their various contributions toward supporting SAM’s mission, outdoor conservation and the furthering of Maine’s outdoor heritage.
WATERCOLOR — During the live auction at the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine’s 51st annual banquet in Waterville, a watercolor sporting art print painted by the banquet emcee V. Paul Reynolds was purchased for $500 by Rep Chad Perkins, R-Dover-Foxcroft and his wife Dorothea.
The following awards were presented:
The Jason Jewett Youth Lifetime License Award. This year more than 36 lifetime fishing licenses were awarded to deserving youngsters. So far SAM has given out more than 600 of these lifetime fishing licenses to deserving youngsters.
The SAM Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Collins for her many efforts on behalf of Maine sportsmen and women.
The SAM Outdoor Education Center Volunteer Award went to Brent St. Clair.
The SAM Sporting Club of the Year Award was presented to the Monmouth Fish and Game Association.
The Bob and Andrea Howe Veteran Volunteer Award went to John and Amy Oliveira.
The Legislative Service Award was presented to Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor and Sen. Trey Stewart, R-Stewart.
The Special NRA Second Amendment Award went to Andrea Beckwith.
Tim Peabody, acting commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, presented the annual Flyrod Crosby Award to conservation activist Matt Scott for his significant efforts in promoting clean water in Maine’s lake and river system. Scott is a former deputy commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Also, unscripted, during the live auction, conducted by former Maine lawmaker and SAM member Paul Davis of Sangerville, an attendee at the banquet, Karen St. Peter, was the high bidder on three American flags donated by Collins. St. Peter immediately gifted the flags to two veterans from the audience, both of whom had served the longest in the U.S. military.