Conservation Dinner Committee encourages people to buy tickets for themselves or as gifts for loved ones during this gift-giving season
The Conservation Dinner community fundraiser and auction takes place on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Tickets are available now.
Chris Keller, of the Exeter Lions Club, is Conservation Dinner Committee Chair. He said people are encouraged to buy tickets for themselves and guests. He also said tickets are a great gift during this holiday season.
People can buy their tickets from a Conservation Dinner Committee member or from the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office. People can pay for their tickets by cheque, cash or credit card. They can even pay by e-Transfer. (If you are buying your ticket by e-Transfer, be sure to use the dinner@abca.ca email address and include your mailing address and/or email address in the e-Transfer message box and specify if the payment is for a Conservation Dinner ticket or if the payment is a donation to the Dinner).
The Conservation Dinner takes place at South Huron Recreation Centre at 94 Victoria Street East in Exeter. Tickets are $100 each and patrons receive a charitable gift receipt, for income tax purposes, for a portion of that amount.
To buy tickets to the Conservation Dinner, or to donate, phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or email info@abca.ca or visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office east of Exeter at 71108 Morrison Line (just south of Highway 83).
The 2024 Conservation Dinner is the 34th event since 1990. This community fundraiser has raised more than $1.335 million for the community over 33 years. The Exeter Lions Club has been co-partner, with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the watershed community, on the Dinner, since 1991. Net profits are split 50-50 between community conservation projects of the Conservation Foundation and community conservation projects of the Exeter Lions Club.
The auction and dinner supports projects such as a family-friendly fishing derby, accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; opportunities for students to experience outdoor nature education; a $1,000 student environmental grant for students in local communities; a summer job at Ausable Bayfield Conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring and events in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel, Grand Bend; nature day camps; Owl Prowl; and parks and conservation areas.
The annual event features live and silent auctions of art and distinctive items such as travel packages and sports and entertainment memorabilia.
The Dinner has special raffles, general raffles, appetizers, wine tasting, fun and fellowship, and a wonderful meal.
Chair of gala dinner and auction encourages you to save the date for Conservation Dinner on Thursday, April 11, 2024
The Conservation Dinner Committee Chair for 2024 is Chris Keller of the Exeter Lions Club. The Chair of this gala community auction fundraiser encourages people to ‘save the date’ for this popular community event on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
“It is an honour to be a Chair of this committee and to be part of an event that has done so much for the local community over 33 years,” he said. “I encourage everyone in the area to mark their calendars for April 11, 2024 and to save the date.” The 34th Conservation Dinner, in 2024, promises to be another great event for fun, fellowship, and community betterment, according to this year’s Committee Chair.
The Conservation Dinner takes place at South Huron Recreation Centre at 94 Victoria Street East in Exeter. Tickets are to be available starting on December 21, 2023. Tickets are $100 each and patrons receive a charitable gift receipt, for income tax purposes, for a portion of that amount. To buy tickets to the Conservation Dinner, or to donate, phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or email info@abca.ca or visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office east of Exeter at 71108 Morrison Line (just south of Highway 83). Find out more at conservationdinner.com and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation’s Conservation Dinner web page.
The Conservation Dinner auction event has raised more than $1.335 million for the community over 33 years. The Exeter Lions Club has been co-partner, with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the watershed community, on the Dinner, since 1991. Net profits are split 50-50 between community conservation projects of the Conservation Foundation and community conservation projects of the Exeter Lions Club.
The Conservation Dinner gala charitable auction and dinner supports projects that include accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; making it possible for more students to experience outdoor nature education; a $1,000 student environmental bursary benefitting students in local communities; a summer job at Ausable Bayfield Conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring and events in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel, Grand Bend; and projects like nature day camps, fishing derby and Owl Prowl, and parks and conservation areas.
The annual charitable event features live and silent auctions of art and other distinctive items including travel packages and sports and entertainment memorabilia. The Dinner also includes special raffles, general raffles, appetizers, wine tasting, fun and fellowship, and a wonderful meal.
Charitable fundraising auction was cancelled in 2020, held virtually in 2021 and 2022 and returns as live event in 2023
The Conservation Dinner, a charitable fundraising auction of the Exeter Lions Club and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, returned as an in-person event on April 20, 2023. The community fundraiser was cancelled in 2020 during the pandemic and held online as a virtual auction in 2021 and 2022. The Dinner Committee organizing the 2023 event said supporters were enthusiastic about its return.
There were almost 350 people who attended the auction on April 20. The money raised at the auction event, in addition to a generous $10,000 individual donation from the Rasenberg family, combined to raise a total of more than $50,000 for needed projects in local communities.
33rd CONSERVATION DINNER RETURNS TO IN-PERSON EVENT IN 2023 – After one missed year, and two years of holding the auction virtually online, the Conservation Dinner returned to an in-person event in 2023. Shown at the community fundraiser on April 20, 2023 are (from left to right in photo): Brian Horner, General Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA); Lee Finkbeiner, President of the Exeter Lions Club; Dave Frayne, Chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF); and Marissa Vaughan, Chair of the ABCA Board of Directors.
Dave Frayne is Chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee. He thanked all the donors, patrons and volunteers who made the Conservation Dinner a success. The Conservation Dinner has raised more than $1.335 million, for the community, over its 33-year history.
Scott Rasenberg presented the $10,000 donation, on behalf of his family, to Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, at the April 20 community fundraising event.
“In this community we are so blessed to have Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the Exeter Lions Club to help establish a great many memories for everyone’s enjoyment,” he told the crowd of close to 350 people. “The trail, and the fishing derby at Morrison Dam, have been paramount in building a passion for nature, and for being outdoors, in people of all ages, not only in our community but the community surrounding South Huron,” he said. “Over the years, our family members have been fortunate enough to take part in the events held by your organization. We wish to offer our support of this great cause. We thank you for the care you take to maintain local conservation within our community.”
The Conservation Foundation supports projects such as commemorative woods, accessible trails and facilities, nature areas and conservation lands and conservation education opportunities for local young people. “I’m at a loss for words,” said Brian Horner, General Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. “We’re very fortunate to have the Rasenberg family in our area,” he said. He called the donation an act of amazing generosity.
RASENBERG FAMILY GENEROUSLY DONATES $10,000 – The Rasenberg family generously donated $10,000, to the work of Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, at the April 20, 2023 Conservation Dinner. Shown in photo (from left to right) are: Brian Horner, General Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA); Dave Frayne, Chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF); Sue Ann Rasenberg; Ashley Horlor; Anamaria Rasenberg; Scott Rasenberg; and Lee Finkbeiner, President of the Exeter Lions Club.
In addition to more than $50,000 raised, there was also more than $6,000, at the April 20 event, in generous individual donations to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. After the live auction was completed, Exeter Lions Club Past President Mark Keller invited people to support the Dog Guide program. There were 30 people who volunteered to donate $200 each towards the cost of having a Dog Guide trained for someone in the area who needs one. Andrea Stevens and Sarah Pelleterio, representatives of Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, brought dog guides in training to the Conservation Dinner auction event for a demonstration of their exceptional skills.
The money raised at the 33rd Conservation Dinner, in 2023, supports local projects. These projects include recreation such as a family-friendly fishing derby, nature education and events, trails and parks and conservation areas, a youth educational bursary award, habitat enhancement for aquatic species, and a summer employment experience for youth to work in the conservation field.
The Conservation Dinner took place at South Huron Recreation Centre in Exeter. The annual charitable event featured live and silent auctions and special raffles and general raffles. Find out more at conservationdinner.com and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation website.
Buying Conservation Dinner 50-50 raffle draw tickets gives you chance to win while helping to support local projects
The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF) is selling 50-50 tickets, leading up to the Conservation Dinner, in support of local community projects. There are 1,000 tickets printed and the cash prize could be as high as $5,000 if all tickets are sold. Tickets are $10 each.
The draw is to be held during the 33rd Conservation Dinner, on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 9 p.m. at South Huron Recreation Centre in Exeter.
To buy tickets for the 50-50 raffle, you may phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or email info@abca.ca or visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office east of Exeter at 71108 Morrison Line (just south of Highway 83).
Alternatively, you can contact members of the Conservation Foundation or Dinner Committee members to purchase tickets. Net proceeds from the draw are to be donated to local community projects, including the South Huron Trail.
Dave Frayne is Chair of Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the Conservation Dinner Committee.
“Buying tickets for the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation 33rd Conservation Dinner 50-50 raffle is a convenient way for people to support needed local community projects,” he said.
Conservation Dinner Committee announces 2023 Feature Artist is Dark Horse Estate Winery Inc.
Each year, the Conservation Dinner Committee selects a feature artist. Feature artists over the years have included painters and other visual artists, an ice sculptor, craftspersons, a culinary artist, a quilter, and other creative disciplines. This year, in 2023, the Committee has named its first feature artist in the field of winemaking.
“The Conservation Dinner is honoured to name Dark Horse Estate Winery Inc. as the Feature Artist for 2023,” said Dave Frayne, Chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee. “Dark Horse Estate Winery has excelled in the art of winemaking and combines their artistry in creating fine wines and memorable wine appreciation and culinary experiences with their personal dedication to their local community.”
Co-founders John and Sue Ann Rasenberg, along with their daughter Ashley Horlor, Vice President of Operations, and son-in-law Craig Horlor, Vineyard and Facility Manager, established the 85-acre winery and vineyard in 2014. Ashley said the family, and the winery, is proud to be named as the 2023 Feature Artist. “We’ve been avid supporters of the Conservation Dinner for many years,” she said. “It’s a great cause.”
The Dark Horse Estate Winery Inc. feature, for bidding at the auction, is a Five-Course Wine and Food Pairing for Six People, in the Barrel Cellar at Dark Horse Estate Winery, with Sommelier Andrew Cieszkowski. This feature experience pairs the fruits of their labours in winemaking with the fruits of the labours of our local agricultural producers.
The artistry of Dark Horse Estate Winery is found in its fine wines and in its culinary experiences. The winery offers a range of wines for every palate ranging from younger wines to more complex wines. Their varietals include an outstanding Marquette (they are the first winery to have a wine of this hardy winter grape varietal in the LCBO). “People are really enjoying it,” Ashely said. Some of their other renowned wines range from their Chardonnay to their Baco Noir among others.
Dark Horse Estate Winery’s award-winning wines reflect the unique terroir of their winery near Grand Bend, providing a fruit taste that is the envy of many destinations, and the work of Vineyard and Facility Manager Craig Horlor and their winemaker and consultant, from the Niagara winemaking region, Marc Pistor.
During the first few years, Dark Horse Estate focused on perfecting their wines. Now, having built a foundation of almost a decade of exceptional winemaking, the winery has added culinary experiences to their vineyard with a fine dining area with an exquisite view of the barrel cellar.
“We now offer culinary experiences within the winery,” Ashley said. “We felt it was time. Our culinary experience is farm to table with food sourced locally, incorporating the bounty of Huron County and area. It’s lovely to have this kind of fine dining experience in Huron County.” The winery not only focuses on the quality of their grapes and their wines and their food but they also work to be leaders in sustainability, adding best practices such as no-till. “We’re an agricultural destination and a culinary destination too,” Ashley said.
Culinary experiences take place in the dining area by the Barrel Cellar and also for small groups in the VIP Lounge.
Even during the challenges of the past couple of years, when the entire events industry was affected, Dark Horse Estate Winery remained thriving, adapting to change and carrying on strong online orders. In fact, delivering wine during the past two years has been a chance for Craig to get to know his customers better and to build relationships.
The Dark Horse name reflects the family’s love and passion for horses, that goes back generations. The name also reflects the fact that a dark horse is an unexpected surprise just as it is such a delight to find this amazing winery and these amazing wines here in our local watershed community. If a dark horse is defined as a competitor not well known previously, reaching sudden prominence, and surpassing expectations, then this estate winery is aptly named.
Dark Horse Estate Winery has grown to be a leader in the burgeoning Huron County winemaking industry. Dark Horse Estate’s wines have won awards at the Canadian National Wine Awards. “We have a wine for everyone,” said Ashley. “We have everything from younger wines to deep, full-bodied, rich, complex wines.”
The Toronto Star called the estate winery “Ontario’s new destination for wine lovers.” The winery is located at 70665 B Line, east of Grand Bend. This destination winery is located just minutes from the scenic shores of Lake Huron and next door to the iconic Huron Country Playhouse. The centrepiece of the estate is a 31,000-square-foot manor house. Dark Horse’s manor house includes a full-service banquet facility; ballroom; state-of-the-art production facility; barrel cellar; dining area; tasting room; VIP Lounge; and patios overlooking the vineyards. The winery encourages visitors to “ … come for the sunsets, stay for the wine.” To learn more about Dark Horse Estate Winery Inc. visit the Dark Horse Estate Winery website.
Ashley credits the entire talented winemaking and viticulture team at Dark Horse for the winery’s success crafting fine wines. Dark Horse Estate has created success by building a memorable local experience that includes domestic vineyards, a tasting room where guests can witness winemaking first-hand, combining world-class quality with hometown Huron County hospitality, pairing local fare with their Ontario wines, and expanding experiences that combine wine appreciation with culinary enjoyment. John and Sue Ann have combined a passion for fine wine and craftsmanship with a love of farming and Huron County to grow the winery into a major destination in the area.
Co-founder John Rasenberg made a career over forty years in the electrical and mechanical contracting business but as a kid who grew up on the farm he has never lost his love of agriculture so this agri-tourism business was a good fit for him and his family. John has “ … combined his passion for farming, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and the dark, rich, loamy soil of his beloved Huron County to build an agri-tourism destination winery that would engage and delight visitors from around the world.”
Co-Founder Sue Ann Rasenberg brought her interior design flair and attention to detail to the enterprise and a new tourism destination was born. “She put a lot of heart and soul into this,” said her daughter, Ashley.
The Conservation Dinner takes place on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at South Huron Recreation Centre at 94 Victoria Street East in Exeter. Tickets are $100 each. Patrons receive a charitable gift receipt, for income tax purposes, for a portion of that amount. To buy tickets to the Conservation Dinner, or to donate, phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or email info@abca.ca or visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office east of Exeter at 71108 Morrison Line (just south of Highway 83). Find out more at conservationdinner.com and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation website.
The Barrel Room at Dark Horse Estate Winery Inc. is the location for the feature package which will be available for bidding at the April 20, 2023 charity auction.
About the Conservation Dinner
The Conservation Dinner auction event has raised more than $1.285 million for the community over 32 years. The Exeter Lions Club has been co-partner, with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the watershed community, on the Dinner since 1991. Net profits are split 50-50 between community conservation projects of the Conservation Foundation and community conservation projects of the Exeter Lions Club.
The Conservation Dinner gala charitable auction and dinner supports projects that include accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; making it possible for more students to experience outdoor nature education; a $1,000 student environmental bursary benefitting students in local communities; a summer job at Ausable Bayfield Conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring and events in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel, Grand Bend; and projects like nature day camps, fishing derby and Owl Prowl, and parks and conservation areas.
The annual charitable event features live and silent auctions of art and other distinctive items including travel packages and sports and entertainment memorabilia. The Dinner also includes special raffles, general raffles, appetizers, wine tasting, fun and fellowship, and a wonderful meal.
After two years of hosting the charity auction online, the Conservation Dinner Committee is excited to hold this community fundraiser in person in 2023.
Give gift of community in 2022 Christmas season with tickets for Conservation Dinner on April 20, 2023
Conservation Dinner returns in 2023 as live in-person event after two years of online auctions; Organizers announce tickets available; Volunteers invite you to buy tickets as gifts
The Conservation Dinner Committee has announced the Conservation Dinner is to be in person in 2023 after two years of holding the event as an online virtual auction.
“We are extremely excited to be returning to a live auction and dinner in 2023,” said Dave Frayne, Chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee. “We appreciate the support of the public during the two years of online auctions but it will be wonderful to see people in person again and to enjoy the fellowship of the Conservation Dinner.”
Tickets are now available for purchase, according to organizers. The Dinner committee encourages you to give ‘the gift of community’ this Christmas holiday season by buying tickets for the Dinner. Tickets are $100 each. Patrons receive a charitable gift receipt, for income tax purposes, for a portion of that amount.
The Conservation Dinner takes place on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at South Huron Recreation Centre at 94 Victoria Street East in Exeter.
“When you give the gift of a Conservation Dinner ticket, you are giving a ticket to one of the most enjoyable events of the year,” said the Committee Chair. “You and the person receiving the ticket also know you are helping your community.”
There have been 30 Conservation Dinners in person since 1990 and two virtual Conservation Dinners in 2021 and 2022. The Conservation Dinner auction event has raised more than $1.285 million for the community over 32 years.
To buy tickets for yourself, or as a present, or to donate to the 2023 Conservation Dinner, phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or email info@abca.ca or visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office east of Exeter at 71108 Morrison Line (just south of Highway 83). Find out more at conservationdinner.com and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation website.
About the Conservation Dinner
The Conservation Dinner is a gala charitable auction and dinner. It started in 1990. The event has raised more than $1.285 million over more than three decades for projects in local communities. These projects include accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; making it possible for more students to experience outdoor nature education; a $1,000 student environmental bursary benefitting students in local communities; a summer job at Ausable Bayfield Conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring and events in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel, Grand Bend; and projects like nature day camps, fishing derby and Owl Prowl, and parks and conservation areas.
The Exeter Lions Club has been co-partner, with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the watershed community, on the Dinner since 1991. Net profits are split 50-50 between community conservation projects of the Conservation Foundation and community conservation projects of the Exeter Lions Club.
The annual charitable event features live and silent auctions of art and other distinctive items including travel packages and sports and entertainment memorabilia. The Dinner also includes special raffles, general raffles, appetizers, wine tasting, fun and fellowship, and a wonderful meal. The Conservation Dinner Committee thanks all the donors, patrons and guests, and volunteers who have made the event a success both in person and, during 2021 and 2022, online.
The committee also thanks all the creative people who have been feature artists over the year in media ranging from paintings to ice sculptures to quilting to metal art to culinary arts to other creative disciplines.
Conservation Dinner Committee Chair Dave Frayne sells tickets for 2023 Conservation Dinner to George Finch, Mayor of the Municipality of South Huron.
PHOTO – CONSERVATION DINNER 2023 TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE – Dave Frayne, Chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee (at left in photo), sells the first Conservation Dinner tickets to George Finch, Mayor of the Municipality of South Huron. Tickets are now available for purchase for yourself or as a seasonal gift. The Dinner Committee is excited to announce the return of an in-person dinner and auction in 2023. The Conservation Dinner takes place on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at South Huron Recreation Centre at 94 Victoria Street East in Exeter. The Conservation Dinner auction event, by the Exeter Lions Club and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and other community partners, has raised more than $1.285 million for projects in local watershed communities over 32 years.
The Conservation Dinner Committee looks forward to returning to an in-person live auction and dinner on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at the South Huron Recreation Centre.
Watch for more details in the coming weeks..
You may find out more at abca.ca and conservationdinner.com or phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.
The Conservation Dinner is a partnership of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and Exeter Lions Club.
This dinner and auction charitable fundraising event started in 1990. Net profits are split evenly between community conservation projects of the Foundation and community conservation projects of the Exeter Lions Club.
The event has raised more than $1.285 million for the community over more than 30 years.
The Conservation Dinner fundraiser supports needed projects, by Exeter Lions Club and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, in local communities.
The Exeter Lions Club has been a partner for more than three decades in the Conservation Dinner. The Exeter Lions Club, chartered in 1937, is part of the world’s largest and most active service organization. It is a group of service-minded men and women banded together to do things which cannot be done by individuals working alone. The club has actively fundraised for projects including development and maintenance of South Huron Trail, MacNaughton Park, and other nature and conservation projects. These are just some of the examples of their service in action.
Projects supported by the Dinner include community work by the Lions Club and community work by the Conservation Foundation.
These projects, supported by auction sponsors and donors and bidders and volunteers, are many. They include parks and conservation areas; accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; outdoor nature education; a $1,000 student environmental bursary for students in local communities; a summer job at Ausable Bayfield Conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel at Grand Bend; and other projects.
Conservation Dinner charity auction went online, in 2022, for second year, raising more than $30,000 for community projects
The Conservation Dinner charitable auction was virtual in 2022, the second year the community fundraiser went online. The online auction ran from March 31 to April 7 and estimates are that it has raised more than $30,000 for needed projects in local communities.
The Conservation Dinner is a fundraising partnership of Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and Exeter Lions Club. Dave Frayne is Chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee. He thanked all the generous donors and bidders who made this year’s event another successful fundraiser. He also thanked the volunteers who make it happen.
“I want to thank everyone who donated to the Virtual Conservation Dinner and everyone who bid in the online auction,” he said. “Your donations and your bids will benefit young people and the entire community.”
The #VirtualConservationDinner supports community work by the Lions Club and the Conservation Foundation. These projects, supported by sponsors, donors, bidders and volunteers, are many. They include parks and conservation areas; accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; outdoor recreation including a family-friendly fishing derby; a $1,000 student environmental bursary for local students; a summer job at Ausable Bayfield Conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel at Grand Bend; outdoor nature education; and other local projects that could not happen otherwise.
The estimated amount of funds raised does not include additional donations expected through the Dine for Your Community program. The following six restaurants are donating some proceeds, from restaurant meals which were ordered on specific dates, to the community projects of the Dinner: Eddington’s of Exeter; Hessenland Inn; Dublin’s Family Restaurant; The Lake Hound of Grand Bend; The Lake House of Bayfield; and Robinson Fresh Café. The Conservation Dinner Committee Chair thanked all the participating restaurants. In addition to these restaurants, many other restaurants generously donated gift certificates or dining experiences to the charitable auction fundraiser. Many other generous businesses and individuals also donated to the online auction.
The Dinner Committee Chair said he hopes the Conservation Dinner will be in person in 2023 but he thanked everyone who made it possible to support important community projects online even when planning large gatherings has not been possible over the past two years.
Over the 32-year history of the Conservation Dinner, it has raised more than $1.285 million for projects in local communities. To learn more about the Conservation Dinner visit conservationdinner.com and abca.ca
Virtual Conservation Dinner names Diane Carson, of Exeter, as Feature Artist of 2022 online charity auction fundraiser
The Conservation Dinner Committee has announced the Feature Artist, of the 2022 charitable online auction event, is Diane Carson, of Exeter. She is the first quilter to receive this honour.
Diane is known as The Electric Quilter. She is a longarm quilter. A longarm quilter uses a longarm sewing machine to sew together pieces (such as quilt tops and batting and backing) into a finished quilt. As a longarm quilter she “takes an idea that is inside a client’s imagination and makes it a reality.”
This year’s feature art piece is a beautiful quilt of a lion’s face. Diane is a member of the Exeter Lions Club and the Lions Club nominated her as this year’s feature artist. She took a Violet Craft pattern and expanded upon it to create a visually impressive finished product that is a stunning example of her artistry and workmanship.
“I am honoured to be named as the 2022 Feature Artist,” Diane said. “I also feel it is wonderful that this year’s Feature Art is a quilt that honours the Lions Club and its service to the community.”
The Exeter Lions Club has been a partner in the Conservation Dinner for more than three decades. Exeter Lions Club was chartered in 1937. It is part of Lions Clubs International, known as “the largest service club organization in the world.”
The Lions Club is a group of service-minded men and women banded together to do things which cannot be done by individuals working alone. Exeter Lions Club has actively fundraised for projects including development and maintenance of South Huron Trail, MacNaughton Park, and other nature and conservation projects. These are just some of the examples of their service in action.
The 2022 Feature Artist has been quilting since 1999 and she is one of Ontario’s first longarm quilters. Since then, Diane has quilted more than 4,000 quilts for clients and patrons. She is Chair of the Southern Ontario Longarm Operators Guild and a founding member of the Canadian Machine Quilters’ Association (CMQA).
This year’s Feature Artist has received many awards throughout Canada and the United States. Her quilt called Blueberry Cheddar received the Best Workmanship ribbon from the World Quilt Competition in 2014. That quilt also received first place in the MQX show in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 2014. It also received a first-place award in Longarm Quilting at Quilt Canada in Halifax in 2015.
Diane loves her quilting enterprise. “I love my job,” she said. She gets to realize and enhance the pride and vision of her clients and she gets to be a part of important celebrations in people’s lives, making wedding quilts, baby quilts, heirlooms, and quilts to mark other important milestones. It is gratifying, she said, to see people’s pride in the finished work and even, in some cases, tears of joy.
“My job is to take a pieced top, enhance the design using only thread and ingenuity, and create a finished quilt,” she said. “My designs and placement of them is unique, and one-of-a-kind. I try to augment and complement the designs of the tops and I like to think a part of me is infused into every quilt that comes my way.”
Diane and her husband Bill have five children and seven grandchildren. “I have a wonderful husband who supports me in what I do with never a complaint,” she said.
Net profits are split evenly between community conservation projects of the Foundation and community conservation projects of the Exeter Lions Club. The event has raised more than $1.255 million for the community over more than 30 years.
Diane works collaboratively with her friend Anne Beaudoin and calls Anne “the best quilt piecer in the world.” Diane and Anne received a Viewer’s Choice ribbon at the Heritage Celebration Show in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 2004. Diane was sole quilter for Anne’s ‘Fabrications’ show at Homer Watson House and Gallery in Kitchener, Ontario in 2006. The Conservation Dinner is a partnership of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and Exeter Lions Club. This dinner and auction charitable fundraising event started in 1990.
Projects supported by the Dinner include community work by the Lions Club and community work by the Conservation Foundation. These projects, supported by auction sponsors and donors and bidders and volunteers, are many. They include parks and conservation areas; accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; outdoor nature education; a $1,000 student environmental bursary for students in local communities; a summer job at Ausable Bayfield Conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel at Grand Bend; recreation opportunities such as a family fishing derby; and other projects.
The Dinner Committee plans to host two live TV and Internet broadcasts to kick off and cap off the auction week: The broadcasts are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2022 and at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2022 (the last day of auction week). A video featuring this year’s Feature Artist is scheduled for the March 31 broadcast.
The #VirtualConservationDinner online auction begins on Thursday, March 31, 2022 and ends on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 9 p.m. You may find out more at abca.ca and conservationdinner.com or phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.
To learn more about the online auction, or the feature fundraising dinners of participating local partner restaurants, visit the Conservation Dinner website:
A link to the online auction will be posted on the online auction page when the online auction begins March 31.
Diane Carson, The Electric Quilter, of Exeter, is the first quilter to be Dinner Feature Artist.This is the beautiful Lions Quilt Feature Art by Diane Carson.
Week-long #VirtualConservationDinner online auction in 2022 begins March 31 and ends on April 7 at 9 p.m.
The Conservation Dinner Committee is bringing back the online auction for the second year in a row.
The charitable fundraiser went virtual for the first time in 2021 and it was a success in raising $40,000 for conservation projects in local communities.
The Committee has decided to return to the online format for 2022.
The 2022 #VirtualConservationDinner online auction is to begin on Thursday, March 31, 2022 and ends on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 9 p.m.
Dave Frayne is Chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee. He says the committee had hoped to hold the dinner and auction in person this year but there is uncertainty during the current pandemic about whether a large in-person event could take place in April. He says the committee decided unanimously that it is prudent to return to the online auction format for 2022.
“We were so pleased by the community’s support of our first online auction last year and we hope donors and bidders will be just as generous in 2022,” he says. “We did look forward to meeting in person but since we don’t know what things will look like in April it’s safer to join together virtually this year in support of projects in our local communities.”
The Conservation Dinner is a partnership of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and Exeter Lions Club. This dinner and auction charitable fundraising event started in 1990
Even when large in-person events are not possible the need to raise funds remains, according to the Dinner Committee Chair. The Conservation Dinner fundraiser supports needed projects, by Exeter Lions Club and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, in local communities.
The Exeter Lions Club has been a partner for more than three decades in the Conservation Dinner. The Exeter Lions Club, chartered in 1937, is part of the world’s largest and most active service organization. It is a group of service-minded men and women banded together to do things which cannot be done by individuals working alone. The club has actively fundraised for projects including development and maintenance of South Huron Trail, MacNaughton Park, and other nature and conservation projects. These are just some of the examples of their service in action.
Projects supported by the Dinner include community work by the Lions Club and community work by the Conservation Foundation. These projects, supported by auction sponsors and donors and bidders and volunteers, are many.
These projects include parks and conservation areas; accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; outdoor nature education; a $1,000 student environmental bursary for students in local communities; a summer job at Ausable Bayfield Conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel at Grand Bend; and others.
The Exeter Lions Club plans to bring back the popular 50-50 draw in 2022 for the fourth year. When tickets are available for this fundraising activity, the website link to purchase tickets online will be posted here:
Last year, the Dinner Committee partnered with participating local restaurants, for the first time, in a Dining for Your Community effort. Families could purchase their own ‘conservation dinners’ from participating restaurants during the week of the auction. This allowed them to support community projects, and their local businesses, in the process.
Organizers hope to bring back this dining venture for 2022.
The committee invites local restaurants to take part.
To learn about Dining for Your Community and to watch for 2022 restaurant partners visit this web page:
Last year, for the first time, the Dinner Committee hosted two live TV broadcasts to kick off and cap off the auction week. The Committee plans to bring back these popular livestream broadcasts in 2022.
