Trappers and archers and fishermen, oh my! All will find fun at the 5th Annual Sportsmen’s Banquet at Salem EC Church, Lenhartsville, on Saturday, April 29. The evening will feature trapper Brian Mohn, who will share furs and stories gathered from adventures starting in Berks County and spreading to Canada.
The evening will also feature archery demos and interactive activities. Door prizes will be given as well.
All will start at 5 p.m. on the church property, 2150 Old Route 22, Lenhartsville. A range of wildlife mounts and pelts will be on display throughout the building, including the sanctuary where Mohn will begin speaking at 7 p.m.
Mohn is part of the Pennsylvania Trappers’ Association. His talk, “Trapping Furbearer Education,” will encompass his years as a wildlife trapper, a journey that began when he was just a boy.
“I started trapping in the sixth grade,” he shares, noting a teacher in school encouraged him to first try. “It’s forest and wildlife management,” he adds.
Over the years, Mohn has run trap lines locally as well as in the Pocono and Adirondack mountains. He and his wife, Karen, raised three daughters and all three girls spent a week trapping with their father while they were in school. Mohn currently assists one daughter and her Canadian husband and in-laws with a trap line in that country.
His talk at Salem will include a power point presentation and pictures; he will also have plenty of furs on display. Asked which of his furs is his favorite, Mohn grins.
“My first fox,” he decides, “that’s when you become a real trapper. And my first bobcat and first otter.”
Of course, delicious food is on the menu for the banquet preceding Mohn’s talk on April 29. Food will be provided by Kathryn’s Katering and will include an array of hot foods plus tempting desserts.
Cori Dixon, a member of Salem, chairs the annual event which is sponsored by the church’s Outdoors Group.
“We started the Sportsmen’s Banquet as an outreach opportunity to open the doors to others who share our passion for the outdoors,” she explained. “It’s a family-oriented event with great food, fellowship and door prizes.”
Pastor Dave Long agrees. “It’s a great occasion for those who love spending time in the outdoors to come together for the evening. We’ll sit around the table and share our own stories from time spent in creation.”
Salem’s Outdoors Group hosts other events throughout the year for the outdoors enthusiast including clay bird shoots, archery shoots, a wild game dinner and hiking trips.
Advance purchase of meal tickets is required. For adults $16 and children $10 for ages 4 to 10. Those ages 3 and young can eat free.
To reserve tickets to the 5th Annual Sportsmen’s Banquet, contact the church office by Saturday, April 15. Readers may contact Salem staff by phone at 610-562-5033, email at wearesalem@comcast.net or via their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/WeAreSalem.
