Banquet sees enthusiastic crowd

Attendance was a bit down for this year's Hot Springs County Friends of the NRA banquet last Saturday, though Friends member Cynthia Garbin noted those who attended were very enthusiastic.

In particular, she said, the live auction saw plenty of competition, with a Diamondback 308 rifle the top dollar item at $1,300. The Gun of the Year, a Kimber Custom II 45 ACP, went for $875. Garbin said the recipient was very excited for the Kimber, as it came with knife that had a matching grip and a nice presentation box.

Those attending included people from Thermopolis, as well as Worland, Powell, Lusk and Riverton. There was even someone from Iowa, Garbin noted, adding he bid on an item and won, and is already planning to come back next year.

Among the evening's festivities was the presentation of checks to Hot Springs County 4-H Shooting Sports, the Thermopolis Gun Club, the Thermopolis Clay Cutters Scholastic Clay Target Program and the Wyoming Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) done through the Thermopolis Gun Club. Money to the YHEC, Garbin said, will go to pay for ammunition, firearms and material in order to put on the event.

In total, the banquet grossed $28,000 this year.