PBS Banquet

[Iron/Mtn]

Once every two years the good lord puts some of the best people on earth in the same spot. This time it was Pittsburg.

I have been fortunate to have attended all the banquet/conventions since the first one and each is great in some unique way, but this one seemed to return us to our roots and core of what the PBS is all about.

 The council, quest speakers (Gene,Barry,Monty excellent job), seminars, hotel staff and mostly the membership was fantastic.

The expansion of the thursday events and BBQ was terrific and one that I hope continues.

It was nice to not think about anything but what was going on for those four days..... Hopefully I will be around to make 12 more.

A special thanks to all those who donate their time, crafts,hunts and talents to make this one great event.

 Until we meet again, keep the wind in your face and the PBS in your heart.

 For those that may be on the fence about joining give it a try for a year or two and I think you'll be around for a long time.

[Wary Buck]

I have already turned in my resignation for track coaching so hopefully I can finally be in attendance at the next PBS Banquet.  It breaks my heart that I've developed some close internet and snail mail relationships with PBS members, but have not been able to attend due to my job.  

I've talked to Gene Wensel and he gave a very glowing report on the weekend.  I must thank Gene and Barry for offering to bring along, and those in attendance for cleaning out, the supply of my new books I sent.  I will have a 1/4-page ad in the next PBS newsletter to help support the organization and offer a chance for others to order, but wanted to thank those of you now for your support of my endeavor.  

Always proud to be a PBS member.
Bryce Lambley

[Tony Sanders]

Thanks Greg. I also had hoped to meet you as well and shake you hand and chat a bit. I had 2 PBS Members that I had never met walked up to me and introduce them selves. They were Mark Veghwig(not sure if spelling of Mark's last name is correct) and Kevin Bahr, man that made me feel good. Again I had a grand time, and it was also good to see a good number of fellow TBM members from Marylnad that attended. To Nashville it will be.

  Tony

[hogdancer]

Bryce, Gene and barry wer'nt even set up all the way when I got my copy of your book and have really been enjoying it, you did a great job. Thanks.
I think in Nashville that the Tradgang members should find someway of putting their Tradgang handle near their nametag I hate to think of all the people I missed out on talking too.

[Greg in Delton MI]

Well, Tony you should have knocked me off the podium during the auction! Ha!

Next time my friend.

Greg

[Jeff Holchin]

I had a great weekend and perhaps recruited a new PBS member by having him attend the saturday night dinner as my guest.  Another PBS friend joined me there for his first banquet and kept saying "wow"....I especially liked the bowhunting photos on display and the PowerPoint presentation of member photos on Saturday night during the meal.  Looking around the crowded room both nights, I was honored to be part of this group of serious bowhunters.  Congratulations PBS council on a job well done.  Can't wait for Nashville!

[Biggie Hoffman]

Can't add much to what's been said but I kinda teared up too when I had to leave my "brothers"
Bought some memorabilia for the den and got allot of hugs and handshakes.

A Big Thanks to council...being involved in a few of these myself, I know how much time and effort is involved in pulling something like this off.

As always, the only regret was I didn't get to spend time with EVERYONE there!

[Nook]

PBS Banquet notes to Self:

1.) Attend all furture banquets.... Well done Guys!!!  Can't wait for Nashville in 2010...

2.) For next banquet try to prepare for new mental images of:

Paul Brunner having to drag out a squirrel.

Monty Browning looking for uncle Gene's off switch.

Uncle Barry's got a new tail....

JoeBuck doing the turkey trot.  (If I see that comming at me in the woods I won't be able to call....)

3.) Prepare to be teased with new footage from the next Wensel-Mitten video... 2009 Hopefully

4.) Bring shooting glove, armguard and arrows for demo bows...

5.) Definitely bring wife again.  She now has new freinds....  And I got smiled at alot after the ladies lunchen....

6.) More Cash for the auction items.......  What a great way to donate to the club by getting great things that make me happy....  (I came away with Gene's framed Woody donation... Sweet... Now I have my own woody..... Er.. Print...)
   


AND a special shout out and Thanks to Duane Meanes (Forester).  He went above the call of duty with his help on the bow auction items.  That man worked his tail off.  Thanx again Buddy.

To everyone... Make plans for the Nashville banquet.  It will do your mental health and heart good.

Jeff Harper

[IB]

Those are 2 Distinguished Lookin Gentle-men in that photo don't ya think?


Don't dare speak of that Young Lovely, that might be Fightin Words. I knows her BODY guard    

Thanks for this post Gentlemen...Perhaps one day.

To whom did Walter's Bow go to ??

[Goose]

"Monty Browning looking for uncle Gene's off switch."

OK, I heard that also.  It's Monday and I am still rolling on the floor laughing about that.  Had to file that remark away for future use.  Not sure I can deliver it as well as Monty did, but will try.
Goose

[joebuck]

Thanks guys for the kind words. It was really special for me to stand up in front of my peers and talk about my passion bowhunting turkeys. Especially when the audience was supported with most of my very close bowhunting friends that have supported me from the start.

The first thing I did when I got home was do the Wensel turkey call trick to my boys. ( my wife loved the Wensels)

These banquets can't be described but they just have to be attended.

[Biggie Hoffman]

Joebuck, the turkey trot was priceless and the swingin beard, well I know it's gonna cost me a bird one day cause when I see one coming at me like that, I'm gonna remember that silly skit and BUST OUT LAUGHING! Probably spill my coffee too :-)

[Jaz]

I stopped down at the Banquet to look at the vendor booths and was blown away. I got to meet all of my bowhunting heroes. They were just walking around like you and me..wait...they ARE just like you and me!I've been reading their articles since I was in high school.
I remember reading a PBS member profile where someone stated that when they got involved with the PBS that they finally felt like they "belonged." I completely understand what they were talking about now.
The members of the PBS have this unexplainable yearning for spending time in the wild; a time of true freedom. A feeling that has been with me since I can remember...a feeling that others finally understand!
So thanks to everyone for your autographs and conversation. Thank you, Mike Mitten, for the photo. It is framed and sitting in my taxidermy display room. That made my day!
God bless,
Eric

[Guru]

I sure hope to go to my first in 2 years.....

How did the pheasant hunt go?

[Marty]

Biggie, That wasn't a silly skit. You KNOW how serious Joey is about those dang birds. Next thing you know, he'll be up there on Saturday Nite!!. We knew him when. Good job Joey.

Also special thanks to Greg and all who worked their tails off for the rest of us to enjoy the weekend. Thanks!

ps, Biggie raised that bid card so many times, his elbow is gonna be sore!

[Fletcher]

Not much that I can add, except to say that you guys aren't exaggerating even a little bit.  My thanks and congratulations go out to the PBS Council, the PA Longbow crew, the many spouses of both, and the multitude of other behind the scenes workers that pulled this weekend together.  You all did a terrific job.  I'm excited about going to Nashville and already thinking about what arrows to make.

Another Proud PBS Member

[BANNOCK-.PT]

I cannot recall ever being in a room with as many great  people as at the banquet. Being new to PBS I thought I might feel like an outsider , especially since I  was attending alone. However, that was not the case. It is a hotel full of people who share the same values, and love of the outdoors and all things wild. Gene and barry did an outstanding job. Their  Primal Dreams segment along with the Mitten brothers was tops for me, and then their speech, lets just say my stomach still hurts from laughing. Monty Browning did an exceptional job as well. You just had to hear the stories ,truly hysterical. Thanks to everyone in the PBS who worked so hard to bring us a great event.   My only regret now is that it will be a long  two years before I see the friends that I made at my first pbs banquet in Pittsburgh. What a great trip!

[Todd Brickel]

This was my first PBS gathering, and it was very, very special.  What a great group of people, what a great organization.  I'll be a member for life.

Todd

[Mark Baker]

Really sorry I had to  miss   it, but thanks to the council and all who attended and supported our fine organization.  Good job guys and gals!

[Kevin Bahr]

On behalf of the PBS Council, thank you for all of the kind words and suggestions for the next banquet.  No doubt we will be calling on some of you again in the not too distant future.  I must admit, I'm a bit tired, but glad everyone had such a good time.  I would definitely be remiss if I didn't thank Rod Bear and Mike Ruperto.  These two fine PBS gentlemen are the glue that held the entire event, top to bottom, together.  I counted on these guys day in and day out for literally months and was never disappointed.  Thank you Mike and Rod!  
There was a huge cast of help in the background that took much of the load off the Council and I won't name them all here as I don't want to forget anyone.  
I regret that I didn't get to talk to each of the attendees but it seems like I met a bunch of new friends.  Didn't even get to poke my head into one of the seminars, only made it to the dealer room briefly and seems like we wore a rut in the carpet from the banquet rooms to the board room over the course of the few days in Pittsburgh.  
With that being said, and still recovering, I can't wait until Nashville in 2010.  I hope you all and more can join us once again for a great long weekend of fellowship and fraternalism that IS the PBS!  
And Mark, you won't be so thankful when you find out who was the high bidder on the elk hunt you so generously donated...