Cal U ‘Game Dinner’ celebrates 15th anniversary
Ever wonder what wild game like beaver, pheasant, elk, goose and bear might taste like?
The Wildlife Society of California University of Pennsylvania will stage its 15th annual Game Dinner Saturday at the Richeyville Fire Hall, 14 Richeyville Road in Richeyville. The doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner beginning at 6 p.m.
“Normally we have about 25 different meat dishes, such as venison meatballs, rabbit stew and smoked bear, on our all-you-can-eat buffet,” said Samantha Zelenka, 21, a junior environment studies major from Canonsburg who’s handling this year’s public relations duties.
Much of the game is either donated or caught by the wildlife society members or their friends, and all of the meat dishes on the table will be labeled so patrons will be able to know what they’re eating. The members also bring in home-made desserts that include cakes, pie and cookies. Beer and soft drinks are also included in the price of admission.
“This year, we’re trying to round out the dinner by adding more vegetables and salads,” said Frank Christopher, 22, the society vice-president and junior wildlife biology and fishery major from Belle Vernon.
Also included on the buffet table is the society’s homemade mushroom soup.
In the past, Christopher has donated venison and beaver he himself caught to the dinner buffet, but this year he’s been too busy with school work and his part-time job as herbarium assistant at the university to hunt. A fisherman as well as a hunter, he also donated trout and perch to past game dinners. But that doesn’t mean fish won’t make an appearance this year.
“Tentatively, we hope to have trout, perch and steelhead on this year’s game dinner menu,” he said.
Christopher said his palate experiences with game dishes include elk, bear, pheasant and groundhog. He tried the latter only once and didn’t like it, perhaps, he said, because of the way it was cooked.
“They’re all pretty good if you cook them the right way, and I never seem to be able to get enough white tail,” he said.
Last year, the society sold close to 400 tickets to the game dinner and had to move to a larger venue for this year’s event.
“I was told the Richeyville Fire hall is the biggest in Washington County, so we should be able to accommodate a larger dinner crowd, Zelenka said.
In addition to trying some novel foods, patrons will also have a chance to win door prizes for items like T-shirts and hats. Christopher said there’s a good chance that at least half the diners will go home with something.
Society members will also be able to buy raffle tickets for items with an outdoor recreational emphasis such as bows and rifles. There will also be a fair amount of restaurant certificates as well as four passes to an open air, riding tour of The Wilds, a 10,000 acre zoological park located near Zanesville, Ohio.
Cindy Anchor, 19, a sophomore wildlife biology major from New Columbia, will be working at her second wildlife dinner helping out with decorating the hall and food preparation.
“I enjoy the game dinners because they’re a lot of fun,” she said. “Last year, I got to try alligator for the first time and was surprised how good it was.”
The Wildlife Society currently has about 40 active members, and some of the Cal U alumni who’ve worked on previous dinners are expected to come back this year.
“The event is really good for the students, not just because it’s a fundraiser for the society but also because it’s a great opportunity for the members to network with professionals in the industry from organizations like the Game Commission, the Ruffed Grouse Federation, the National Turkey Federation and Pheasants Forever,” said Dr. Carol Bocetti, biology professor at Cal U.
“It really gives the students an opportunity to shine.”