Colorado
The Buckhorn Chapter Spotlight
Mar./Apr. 2008
By Krista Meulengracht
What makes a banquet successful? The MDF Board members would probably say it’s based on how much money is raised. The director of merchandise might say its how much MDF merchandise was sold. The Regional Directors (RDs) probably think a successful banquet is one that makes money and ends on time. However, I have a different take on the whole process. Being the wife of a former RD (now Director of Field Operations) has put me behind the check-out desk of countless banquets over the years. Some have gone smoothly, some a little rough around the edges but all were memorable in their own special way. However, the common denominator to all banquets is the people – both the committee members and banquet attendees – they are the heart and soul of any fundraiser.
One chapter with endless heart and soul for mule deer is the Buckhorn Chapter in Eagle, Colorado. Ted Archibeque was one of the first people to contact my husband when he went to work for MDF. And Ted has chaired the committee since their inception (six years) with enthusiasm, dedication, and a lot of guts. Two years ago Ted had just gotten married, had a baby, and started his own business within a few months of hosting the annual banquet. Fortunately for Ted, a majority of his volunteers are also family members, (funny how family comes to the rescue when you need them most - especially when the chapter chairman flies by the seat of his pants when it comes to hosting a banquet). Ted once told my husband, “Why should I get all stressed out over the banquet for 3 to 4 months, when I can get just as stressed and still pull it off in 1 or 2 months.” The committee came through in the end by getting the merchandise together, selling tickets, and hosting a banquet. It was a success because it made money, sold MDF merchandise, and ended at a reasonable hour.
The past few Buckhorn Chapter banquets have been held in a tent. A very large tent, but still a tent (Ringling Brothers would be happy to own this one). Sometimes the tent leaks, and rarely has it been warm enough during those cold February nights. In fact, it was -13 a few years back. It is often too dark to truly get a good look at the merchandise before placing a bid. However, I understand why Ted keeps going back to the 4-Eagle Ranch. First and foremost, the food is exceptional! The steaks look like mini roasts and the cobbler is worth writing home about. The staff does everything they can to accommodate the MDF on short notice, no notice, and even anticipating needs before the committee realizes what they need. Most importantly, everyone has a good time!
The people in Eagle know each other well, respect each other, and always look forward to seeing friends at functions like the MDF banquet. An annual highlight of the live auction is the bizarre stuffed creature or mystery sculpture that makes its way to the live auction lineup. The folks enjoy boasting about how they outbid each other for the stuffed armadillo holding a beer bottle, the raccoon, the stuffed coyote that looked like someone’s pet dog, or the boar’s head that ended up hanging over Ted’s desk a few days after the banquet. You might ask where they come up with some of the items for the auction. Can anyone say Ebay? Honestly, I haven’t seen many live auctions because I’m too busy organizing auction receipts and running the computer, but I can hear what happens during the live auction. In Eagle, I hear a lot of laughter. When attendees come to the check out table at the end of the night, I see a lot of smiles, handshaking, and hugs. I look forward to the Eagle banquet every year because of the people – and the cobbler!
As for project work, this is where my husband comes in. He informs me that over the past six years the Buckhorn Chapter has put their chapter rewards to good use. They have assisted Colorado Division of Wildlife with winter range fertilization project in the Bear Gulch area of Eagle County. Along with the Pikes Peak Chapter in Colorado Springs, the Northern Front Range Chapter in Berthoud, and the Mile High Chapter in Denver, they combined chapter rewards to provide natural seed for Old Man WUI Fuel Treatment project. In 2004, the chapter utilized their chapter rewards to assist CDOW with the purchase of a deer decoy to be used in law enforcement. In 2005, the chapter helped fund reseeding on the Garfield Burn in neighboring Garfield County.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the members that make up this great committee: Ted and Steph Archibeque, Tom Archibeque, Bo Archibeque, Rob and Krista Jaramillo, Steve Jaramillo, Teep Blevins, Troy Dixon, Tug Birk, Scott Green, Rick Beveridge, Robert Gonzalez, Kory Kempton, Nick Klahr, Nate Nelson, Ed Oyler, Neil Nelson, and Jeff Wright. (I hope I didn’t miss anyone and I apologize if I did).
This year’s Buckhorn banquet will be on March 17th. I encourage you to come to Eagle for a good time. My family will be there – we wouldn’t miss it and you shouldn’t either! For ticket information contact Ted at 970-328-6020.