BANQUET RAISES $18,000 FOR ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION

Wapiti Art:This piece of art, by C. Fisher, was among the items sold at the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet inLa Grande. (This piece of art, by C. Fisher).

A net total of $18,000 was raised at this year's banquet of the La Grande chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The April 27 banquet was attended by 170 people at the La Grande Elks Lodge.

Money was raised by the sale of dinner tickets and auction items. Big-ticket items sold included a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation rifle, which sold for about $1,000.

Money raised by the RMEF is used to finance elk habitat projects. The La Grande RMEF chapter has raised $418,000 since it was founded 15 years ago.

The chairman of this year's banquet was Scott Wilson of La Grande. Jim Ward served as the vice chairman.

Walt Van Dyke, an ODFW biologist in Malheur County, served as the master of ceremonies. Jake Seavert of La Grande was the auctioneer.