The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation launch of its young professionals group looked like a stellar fraternity rush party Thursday, June 20. Surrounded by the fine wood walls with portraits of past Texas leaders and shelves with marvelous historic collectibles including hats, the gents outnumbered the lovely ladies 20 to 1.
Hanging at one end of the massive room filled with dining-room tables was a mammoth screen showing a soccer game. Wink, wink. Ah, come on. Everybody who knew anything knew what was probably going to be on the screen — the final game of the NBA Title series. Not to worry. The dinner was to be over by 8:30 in plenty of time to head home or a fav watering hole to watch the last half.
That didn’t quite happen because the cocktail reception went on beyond the original time. Makes sense. Get a bunch of guys together with beverages and sharing a common interest. Well, shoot! You think gals are the only ones who like to gab? Heck, no. Advisory Committee Chair Mac Macfarlan was the perfect host chatting it up with old friends and new ones. Somehow one would suspect that after talking with Mac, folks signed up for the $75 membership just so they could get to know him better.
Eventually, the group settled down to a perfect dinner that was followed by a talk at 8 p.m. by Carter Smith, who at one point hollered out, “Where are my quail hunters?”
At 8:30 he was joined by Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Vice-Chair Ralph Duggins and Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation Chair Kelly Thompson, who discussed the organization’s mantra for the 40 and under organization to “raise awareness of the land and wildlife conservation issues facing their generation, preserve hunting, fishing and outdoor heritage, lead and serve in their communities; and establish meaningful relationship among likeminded individuals.”
Needless to say, the basketball game wasn’t being shown on the screen, but memberships were being gathered.