02/13/08 Benton County Cattlemen

I just spend a fun evening with a bunch of fun people dedicated to preserving a way of life. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back to tell you who and what. My wife and I were guests of Benton County Cattlemen in Prosser, Washington on Ground Hog's day where I was invited to impart some serious silliness to go along with some serious fundraising. I believe that Pennsylvania ground hog saw his shadow because the roads were ugly with snow and wind. But the trip was totally worth it to visit with old friends and fellow cattlemen while we enjoyed a fantastic prime rib dinner that contained zero chicken or turkey meat. That small group of cattlemen were impressive in their dedication to cattle and our way of life. Many of the group have day jobs to support their cattle habit and the evening's fundraising auction was a testament to their loyalty to support cattlemen's life values. The auction was entertainment in its own right and was expertly called by Dick Culver who kept the crowd bidding down to the last set of donated jumper cables. The financial success of the auction helps Benton County Cattlemen support Washington Cattlemen's legislative fund, ag in the classroom program students in three local fairs, scholarship funds, the WCA/WSU Bull test, and other worthy projects. To help with the county president's travel expenses a donation can is passed around all year. The can is then auctioned off with the high bidder claiming the secret money amount in the can. One thing is certain the Benton County Cattlemen don't believe fundraising has to be boring. I'm Jeff Keane.