Mary & Andy Stevens--Booster of the Year award.  For their ongoing participation in the "Support our Troops" effort and support during the political season, the design and procurement of the McCain / Pailin bumper stickers, yard signs and highway billboard signs as well as Andy's redesign of the new Skagit GOP Website. 

Skip Schilperoort--Event of the Year award.  in recognition of his participation in election efforts during the "Oyster Run"

Chairman Bob Eberle addressed the need for renewed efforts within the party and a return to the conservative ideals, goals and values on which the party, and the nation, was founded.

Kirby Wilbur presented a story with facts about Lincoln that showed Abe to be a leader in the true conservative, pro-American mode. It was much more than just freeing the slaves, although that would have been a stupendous fete for anyone. Testimony to Lincoln's skill at international diplomacy included securing the help of the Czar’s navy in keeping the British out of the war through the purchase of Alaska.

Lincoln’s entire life displayed an uncanny ability to discern fact from fiction, to bring dispirit individuals together for productive endeavor, to recognize the hand of the Almighty in the affairs of mankind, and to stick to his principles when all visible political signs pointed elsewhere.

Kirby's address emphasized the fact that the same values and ethics for which Lincoln is so well remembered are equally as valuable and applicable today.  Kirby received an enthusiastic standing ovation following his presentation.

Chairman Eberle and Kirby Wilbur stressed the necessity for the party and it's members to become familiar with use and application of the communication tools and technology available in today's society.

Both the Silent Auction and the Pie Auction were huge successes. We even managed to reduce the pie auction time to barely an hour, which pleased everyone. In the end the Skagit Republican Party cleared more than $6000, and that’s very good news for a volunteer group that wants to focus most of its efforts on electing good people to public office.

Ann Humphreys deserves a boat load of thanks for all the work she put into organizing and putting the dinner on. Also the folks who donated auction items and desserts are the ones who actually helped make this dinner a huge success. Gloria Hulst deserves special mention because she is the one who organized the desert auction. Also, Don Munks was a superb auctioneer.

The three Nichols family daughters were terrific with the National Anthem at the start of the evening, and with God Bless America at the close.

The party faithful thank them all. If you were not there you missed a good one.

Special thanks to:

• Thanks to Barbara Bailey for sponsoring the YR's table.
• Thanks to Yount Republicans's and Dorothy Fowler for their help with the paid and pre-paid registration desk.
• To Gloria Hulst for obtaining and setting up the dessert auction.
• The Young Republican's or their help in the dessert auction.
• Don Munks for emceeing the Live Auction and Dessert Auction.
• Thanks to Snohomish, Whatcom and Island county for attending our function.
• To Bud Norris for Abe Lincoln speech.

Photos from the event are below.... Click to Download Lincoln Dinner Photos in .PDF format