Fish and game show a huge success

• Have Fun

Don Leighton, center, sits with Sue Anderson, right, as they talk to people at the Hunger Takes No Holiday booth at the Douglas County Fish and Game League Sports Show at Wessman Arena in Superior recently. (Jed Carlson/jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)

Talk about it

Whatever the dates for the Douglas County Fish and Game League Show next year, that is where I will be.

Even though I grew up in Shangri La (aka, Lake Nebagamon) I do not profess to be a hunter or fisherman. As a teenager, I used to fish behind Bridge’s Marina, never caught anything, got discouraged and concentrated on sports and sightseeing at the beach.

But I do remember the smell of gas and oil as Ed Bridge and Eddie Eckstrom performed their miracles of small engine repair. I feel a summer article about my beloved Shangri La starting to form.

Back to the big show.

What a great event to visit with the multitude of vendors who display their wares, offer drawings and provide entertainment for the masses for three days. (I was shut out at the fish pond.) Todd Brown and his barbecue beef sandwiches were incredible. Around 1,200 pounds of beef was prepared for on-site enjoyment or take home.

I believe I can account for a couple hundred pounds for my own personal consumption and lots of old friends, lots of new friends, lots of fun and family entertainment were enjoyed by more than 1,000 attendees.

Hunger Takes No Holiday had a booth at the show and because of the generous and caring people of our area, collected almost $1,300. Through Second Harvest Food Bank, $13,000 worth of food will be provided to Superior and Douglas County food Shelves which equals 6,500 meals for those in need.

Our drawing for a $300 gift certificate at Northwest Outlet attracted lots of attention and was won by Jennie Schoessow. She and former basketball teammate Rod Nelson contributed in triple digits for the $1 per chance opportunity to win the drawing.

I had not met Jennie before but knew of 40-year friend Rod’s caring for others. Both of them are two of the most generous and caring of people.

There were many highlights during the three-day weekend. I cannot thank enough those who volunteered to sit with me, no small task, to work the crowd for donations.

Dr. Albert Katz, a 37-year professor in the communications department at UW-Superior until his retirement in 2003, was my partner on Saturday and Sunday morning.

Longtime manager of Spencer’s in the Miller Mall, Sue Anderson, spent hours with me, hopefully not altering her wonderful personality. These two responded to an e-mail sent out by my friend Shaye Moris of Second Harvest for help. I consider myself having made two great acquaintances and friendships.

Others who spent time volunteering their valuable time were Gary Banker, Bruce Thompson, Randy Kline and Mrs. Lance.

Great friend and Northwestern alum Ron Pearson stopped by for an hour of great conversation. My heartfelt thanks to all who helped make our efforts so successful.

Dale and Sharon Swenson of Duluth volunteered at the booth immediately adjacent to ours representing Superior (Wis.) Off Road Driver’s ATV Club or SWORDS. I wish these two lived near me; I would be at their house all the time because they are two of the nicest people I have ever met.

On Saturday and Sunday mornings, they were the first to contribute to Hunger Takes No Holiday putting $10 in our box each time.

Holly and Bernie Conklin of SWORDS had better be my neighbors next year. Brayleigh Keliin, Megan Jaszczak and her mother, Traci, were there for three days, working the room and caring for puppies from a couple of breeders. I still cannot replace Cassie the Dog, but it was close.

Check out their website at www.swordsatvclub.com. Join their club, help them maintain two local trails, and meet Holly and Bernie, two of Lance Boyle’s best friends in the whole world.

Immediately across from our booth was Hursh Meat Processing from Poplar. Mrs. Lance and I have a special place in our hearts for the Hursh name — longtime Northwestern High School Transportation Director, Sylvester Hursh, is another in the Lance Boyle Hall of Fame for great people.

Sylvester would be a charter member.

The Hursh booth gave away samples of their various products. Being surrounded by food was a good thing, especially when they crossed the aisle with periodic deliveries.

Rob, Laura, Billy, and Brianna Hursh produce a product second to none in their industry. Give them a call at 715-364-6855. Their website is www.hurshmeat.com. You’ll thank me for this dietary tip.

Other memorable moments:

• Jennifer VanAlstine, aka, Ruthless Rosie and Lori Adrihan, aka, Dusty Bottoms, of The Black River Bandits added to the festivities as they worked the room in their Old West garb. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about a good looking woman with a gun.

• Gary and Roz Pezze got the ball rolling as they were the first to contribute on Friday evening.

• Tom Eastman loves Have Fun or Get out of the Way! His mother, Claudia Houle, saves the paper so Tom can hang on our every word.

• Bill Nicoski stopped by to chat and contributed very generously. Jackie DeMoure and her husband, Raymond, contributed twice. Raymond has health issues but both are thinking of others. Robin Barrett from the Superior Library made a generous donation and thinks I look like Tom Selleck. OK, so she doesn’t, but I almost had you, didn’t I?

• One of my personal highlights was to meet Sid Laurvick, a senior at Superior High School. He stopped at our table, asked some great questions, and gave $10. He will be attending UWS for his first two years of college and then transfer to UW-Madison where he will study electrical engineering. Paul Zollver, Mike Beelby and Mike Matejka are three of his favorite instructors at SHS. All can be proud of this young man. His head and heart are in the right place. I am honored to have made his acquaintance.

• I have not seen Dale St. Arnold, former Cardinal great, for years. He works at Mac Sports in the former DeVinck’s auto dealership. Mac Sports had an area displaying some of their ATV inventory. With great weather here, what better time to go see my friend Dale St. Arnold or new friend, John Cahill. Enjoy the great outdoors by visiting Mark Manion, Dale and John. You will be glad you did.

What a great weekend we had at our Hunger Takes No Holiday booth at the Fish and Game Show. Dwane Anderson and Marv Ronning could not have been more helpful in providing this great opportunity. I can’t wait for next year.

Opinions and/or story ideas can be e-mailed to dleigh1273@aol.com or wgranlund@centurytel.net

Tags: have fun or get out of the way, collections, sports, updates, money, food, family