Convention Coordinators Report
Convention Coordinators Director of Minnesota Trappers Association
Greetings from Mille Lacs! Just when you think Spring is here to stay – Mother Nature reminds you she is still in charge! Thank God the ground is warm enough now to melt the snow we had!!
We are starting to head down the stretch for our Summer Convention July 30 to August 1. It is earlier this year due to the NTA Nationals the week after ours. We are hoping having the two so close will bring new interest and people, so make plans to attend both.
Barnum has lots of space for camping and has trees for shade. We will again have a Camping Sheriff to handle making sure all sites are compliant. Make sure you also see the “Sheriff” if you have any concerns or questions when he shows you your camping spot. Convention set up is on Thursday as usual and the convention starts on Friday. Any help during the set up, during the convention and tear down is greatly appreciated. Anyone who volunteers 4 hours or more is eligible for a volunteer T-Shirt. Please see the Souvenir Booth to get your shirts and sign the volunteer sheet.
Friday night is the Wild Game Pot Luck. Gerald Schmidt from Schmidt Enterprises has offered to provide a roasted pig for the Pot Luck. Everyone is invited to the pot luck and if you can bring a dish to help round out the meal, that would be welcomed. Plates, silverware and napkins are needed as well other dishes. This is a pot luck, so anything brought must be made ahead of time and brought prepared.
The local bar in town, which is across the street from the fairground’s office, will have a band performing Friday evening. The MTA will be providing a band on Saturday night. Friday and Saturday mornings will have a breakfast served in the 4H Building by a local fire department. The doors open at 6:30 and will serve until 9 am. The cost is $7.00 per person with 6 years and under free. We hope you will consider showing support for the fireman and let them serve you up a hearty breakfast! See the ad in the Newsletter for the menu.
Children’s games will be during the General meeting on Saturday. In addition to those games, the Waldorf family has volunteered to host minnow races for the kids. Check at the MTA Booth or watch the signs for the event. Don’t forget about the trap setting contest for gals & guys of all ages! Sign up at the MTA booth. Saturday evening after the MTA Benefit Auction will be the Trapper’s Race – weather permitting. This is always an exciting event! Is there anyone out there that can take down the current champ?
We hope you plan on attending the convention and see some old friends and make new ones! We will have a trailer to donate aluminum cans so save those and bring them to the convention.
The MTA has decided to have the 1st Annual MTA Legal Defensive Banquet after the Winter Meeting on January 8, 2011. This fund raiser will be at the Wahkon Inn in Wahkon, MN. There will be games, a great meal and lots and lots of prizes. The banquet is a fund raiser for the Legal Defensive Fund. While we currently don’t have a lawsuit to fund, there could be around the corner – just ask Maine. We are limiting the number of seats, and tickets will be going on sale during the Summer Convention. Stop at the MTA booth for additional information and to purchase your tickets. This banquet promises to be an exciting social event after the Winter Meeting to hob knob with fellow trappers and friends.
We look forward to seeing you at the Convention!
Cory & Deb Van Driel
Tim Bauer