The third Annaul Sportsmen’s Banquet at Salem EC Church, Lenhartsville, included something for everyone. Organizers of the banquet were pleased with the event, with approximately 125 in attendance. The afternoon and evening included interactive vendors, tasty food and an entertaining speaker.
“I organize the banquet every year as an outreach opportunity to fellow outdoorsmen (and women & children!),” Cori Dixon, chair of the event, said. “Overall is was a great time with good food and good people! Hopefully, next year will be bigger and better!”
Held March 7, activities began in the afternoon with an array of vendors set up in the church’s gymnasium and lobby area. Those present included representatives from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, who ran an indoor archery range for children. Berks Fly Tyers also had an interactive table, with visitors welcome to watch members create flies or even try their hand at the art of tying. One table featured spend-round jewelry, and others displayed handmade candles and bath items.
A Wild Game Cook-Off was a popular feature at the banquet, featuring recipes from eight contestants. Spectators were drawn by tantalizing smells as several judges tasted entrees like bacon-wrapped venison, deep-fried “rabbitizers” and even a beautifully-presented wild chucker. The best-tasting winner was a savory rabbit stew, served in a bread bowl and prepared by Ed Manson, the defending champion of this event.
Food vendors took part in the banquet, and guests enjoyed sampling Pure Wild Tea and Crazy Jay’s assortment of spicy sauces. A number of taxidermists had stands, featuring beautiful deer and other wildlife. Another table featured pelts from native Pennsylvania animals, and visitors of all ages were invited to touch and identify the beautiful furs. The church itself was decorated with various mounts lent by members: deer heads, fox and even a wild bear or two.
The vendor section also highlighted Salem’s Outdoors Group, which sponsored the banquet, and the church’s new archery program, Centershot. Several newcomers signed up for Centershot, which uses nationally-recognized techniques to teach competition archery to youngsters and adults alike. The program is now running at Salem on Tuesday nights, and enrollment will reopen for a second round of classes in late spring.
After enjoying a hot, buffet-style meal, the crowd moved to the auditorium. There, television host and Berks County native Corey Brossman took the microphone. “Corey Brossman was great!,” Dixon said. “He showed footage from his past hunting and bowfishing season and shared his testimony with us”.
Brossman added live commentary to the clips from his television shore, Innerloc’s “Out There,” and the audience chuckled at his jokes and enjoyed the heartwarming conclusion of the show, which featured a successful hunt with Brossman and his grandfather.
Salem’s Pastor, Dave Long, also talked to the crowd. He encouraged those in attendance to enjoy time in the outdoors, “God’s beautiful creation,” and welcomed visitors without a current church home to consider attending services at Salem.
The evening concluded with the drawing of door prizes, which included a wide range of items. Children from the crowd volunteered to help pull names and run prizes – such as restaurant and store gift certificates, hunting and other outdoor gear and a grand prize, a two-man hunting blind – to the lucky winners.
Visitors are always welcome at Salem, with the congregation meeting Sundays for worship (9 a.m.) and Sunday School (10:30 a.m.), as well as throughout the week for small groups based on different interests and/or ages. For details, readers are welcome to visit (2150 Old 22, Lenhartsville), call (610-562-5033) or email the church office (wearesalem@comcast.net). Salem also has an active Facebook page: www.facebook.com/wearesalem.
