Draw a giant red circle around the date of March 8

OK gang, it's that special time of the year, once again. It's time to draw a big, red circle around the date of March 8.

Then, on that evening, plan to have a "ton of fun" at my all-time favorite and one of this area's most popular, outdoor fund raisers.

March 8 will be the 17th version of the hugely-successful Carson Valley Chukar Club fund raiser.

That special, fun-filled, sportsmen's event will be held, as usual, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

For those of you who have never attended any of the past fund raisers, you can reach the Douglas County Fairgrounds by following these very easy "Don Q" instructions:

Just drive south on U.S. 395, out of Gardnerville, to the last traffic signal light (at the 7-11 Store).

At that intersection, turn left onto Pinenut Road. Take that road for about three miles to a large metal building, located on your right side.

That's where the party will be held.

If you are in doubt, just look for a huge number of parked cars and trucks including my little, bright-red pickup.

And, as a word of advice to anyone planning to attend this very popular function for the first time: GO EARLY!

If you want to sit anywhere near the front of the huge crowd (approximately 500) that will be attending, you need to arrive early to secure a good seat.

Go early or you'll be sorry.

Go early or you could be one of the late arrivals who end up sitting in the bleacher section along the wall.

Don't say that you weren't warned.

The doors will open to attendees at 5 p.m. and the evening's program is slated to begin at about 7.

In between those two times, you will have the opportunity to visit with old friends, make new friends, wander around, look at all of the raffle prizes, drool over the many attractive auction items, buy your raffle tickets, have a cocktail or two, and enjoy the traditional and very tasty, gourmet, barbecued Tri-Tip steak dinner including special, homemade beans, tossed salad and hard rolls. Geez, did I miss anything?

All of that for just $25 per person or $15 for anyone under the age of 18 (those younger folks must be accompanied by an adult).

According to Ron Pierini, the Carson Valley Chukar Club Fund Raising Chairman, "We expect another full house and would remind everyone to please purchase your tickets early.

Last year, we had to send people away because this event has become so popular and we can only accommodate the first 500 people with tickets.

I would not risk ticket availability at the door this year.

Please plan ahead and purchase your tickets early."

Pierini continued, "Last year was a devastating second consecutive year where fire destroyed a vast amount of wildlife habitat in our state.

We recently matched the Nevada Chukar Foundation's donation of $20,000 to be used for wildfire rehabilitation efforts including reseeding prioritized areas with "Kochia" seed (at $50 per pound).

It's not a pretty sight hunting on the moon. Because of people like you, we can take great pride in restoring Nevada's beauty.

Locally the Carson Valley Chukar Club continues to support our youth's outdoor enjoyment and education.

We actively support the annual Kids' Fishing Derby held at Lampe Park in Gardnerville and we also help out with the local Hunter Safety programs offered in Douglas County."

Little Donnie Q has had the personal pleasure of attending all of the previous 16 fund raisers, with the except of the one year when I was in Southeast Asia.

All of those fund raisers have produced a wealth of memories of which I would like to share a few with you.

Here are some of my selected memories from past years:

1. The jam packed conditions when, in the early years of the fund raiser, it was held downstairs in the convention facility of the Carson Valley Inn in Minden.

It was so crowded, that once you got into your chair, you stayed there for the rest of the night because you couldn't move your chair to get up.

2. The first year that the fund raiser was held at the Fairgrounds, I walked up to the bar and ordered a Manhattan.

Those cocktails are made with whiskey and sweet Vermouth.

The bartender did not have any Vermouth but he did have Grenadine.

So, I said, "To heck with it," and had him make my Manhattans with whiskey and Grenadine.

Yuk! I had 4-5 of those weird concoctions and had a "sugar high" for days and days. Wow! Never again.

3. Sneaking outside, each year, to where the barbecue crew is busy cooking the many, huge, Trip-Tip roasts for the dinner. Man, those guys have way too much fun, out there in the cold.

They love to pick on one another and especially on Little Donnie Q.

Hmmm, I wonder if is what they are drinking or if they have been nipping at the barbecue sauce?

4. Faithfully buying lots and lots of raffle tickets each and every year.

And, each and every year, never winning anything. Never! Never! Never!

The ultimate frustration was the year when Jim and Elaine McGee spent less money on their raffle tickets than I did.

They won a total of 13 prizes while I got "Skunked!"

To add insult to injury, they offered to sell me some of their tickets.

I said, "Hell no!" in a snit, and then watched them win four prizes with the tickets that they tried to sell me.

There is no justice in the world.

Nice guys always finish last!

5. Being harassed from the stage, by Pierini, Lance Modispatcher and Dennis Houston, the auctioneer, during the drawings for the raffle tickets and the bidding for the auction items.

Those guys dearly love to pick on me. Maybe I should sit back in the bleachers where they won't notice me.

6. Doing a poor imitation of Fred Astaire tap dancing, while impatiently waiting in the long, long line at the men's room. I sure wish those beer drinkers had a rest room of their own!

Finally, some words of wisdom:

Mark March 8 on your calendar.

Contact Ron Pierini for your fund raiser tickets. In fact, do it today.

Plan to arrive early that evening.

Once there, plan to have a ball.

I guarantee a great time.

See ya there!

For information or to purchase fund raiser tickets, call Pierini at 267-1006.

-- Bet Your Favorite Pigeon

Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you the person who is acknowledged to be the founder of the Carson Valley Chukar Club fund raisers.

If he grins and says, "Lance Modispatcher of Douglas County," he could belong to the Chukar Club.