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The Special Silent Auction will be conducted by the Edgar and Marion Beck Foundation.

Marion is chairwoman and founder of the Beck Foundation. It was started in loving memory of her husband Edgar who passed away in May of 1998, from a brain tumor. The Beck Foundation was formed to raise funds for the support of the Wayne State University Brain Tumor Research Program and other charitable organizations.

The foundation provides many services to raise the funds; a silent auction, a full service travel agency, pre-packaged travel, E-Bay auction service, event planning and special tickets and packages for sporting events, Broadway and Las Vegas.

"We are very happy to forge this new alliance with the Beck Foundation," Ken Waichunas said.

The special silent auction will have items that will interest everyone. They are noted for their sports memorabilia, jewelry, art, bird houses and their vacation/weekend get-away packages.

They will have many items involving famous players for the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Red Wings. Their will also be some autographed items of these players. Famous golf players such as Jack Nickalus, Tiger Woods, and Arny Palmer will also be represented. Two special silent auctions will be held at the Shady Belle, on Friday, April 27th. The second auction will be on Saturday April 28th from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Some of the NTF Board members attended an event convention at the Grand Travers Resort last fall. They were very impressed with the many great items offered. One of the Board Members even brought home a beautiful picture of the U of M Stadium mounted on a plaque offered by the Beck Foundation.

Make a point of enjoying the entertainment at the Shady Belle and participate in the special silent auction.

The NTF Board is seeking nominations for ÒUnsung Hero,Ó a person who has done something special during the last year that is worthy of special recognition. Worthy mention might include helping other beyond the call of duty, a special achievement or accomplishment, a heroic effort, or simply great citizenship. Deadline for submission for ÒUnsung HeroÓ is April 15. Send nominations to NTF PO Box 541, Kalkaska or email to nationaltroutfestival.com.

Also new this year to the National Trout Festival is the ÒTaste of Trout.Ó A similar event was held several years ago, but the new event has been revised. The Taste of Trout will be a judged cooking contest held at the Kalkaska Chamber offices on Wednesday, April 25th at 6:30 p.m. after the opening ceremonies at the Trout Fountain.

Ms. Emily Betz Tyra of the Traverse Magazine will be one of the judges and will select several others to assist her. Emily is an associate editor of the magazine and writes the cooking section each month.

Invitations have been extended to the retaurants in Kalkaska County. To date the following restaurants have said they will be there: the Fife Lake Inn, Gios (a new Italian restaurant opening very soon in Kalkaska), GordyÕs Place, Third Street CafŽ, Trout Town Country CafŽ, and Whitetails Steak n Ale. We are awaiting the responses of several others. Any trout dish can be entered in this contest. We were told that every dish will be a Òmouth watering recipe that will please and excite every palate.Ó Come and judge for your self. Remember, Wednesday, April 25 at the Kalkaska Chamber offices after the opening National Trout Festival ceremonies.

The NTF Board wants to clarify that there is no entry fee for the fishing contests. The board is looking for donations to cover expenses of the contest. Donations of $30 cover cost of putting on the kidsÕ fishing event. The kidsÕ fishing contest will be held at the Millpond on M-66, near the VFW Hall. The board also wants to clarify that adult fishing will take place at Log Lake off of Hwy 612.

Look for more information coming on these and other events. National Trout Festival Trivia Questions 1. What was the year of the first Trout Festival? 2. What is the theme of this yearÕs National Trout Festival? Bonus questions: 3. How many charitable organizations will the NTF help support? 4. Name these charitable organizations? The first person to correctly answer the first two questions will receive the new Trout Festival pin. The first person to answer the first two questions and the bonus questions will win a new National Trout Festival sweatshirt.

Winners will be notified and the answers will be published in next weekÕs Leader.

The earliest postmark date on the envelope will decide the winner who answered the questions correctly.

Prizes will be awarded at the opening ceremonies, Wednesday, April 25th at the Kalkaska Chamber offices.

Send your responses to the National Trout Festival, Trivia Questions, at P.O. Box 541, Kalkaska, Mich., 49646.