Loon Day is just around the corner, and we have some exciting changes for 2024! This year we will be honoring long-time Guild member Jack Gardner, who passed away earlier this year, with a special display and some amazing and unique apparel!!
Loon Day 2024 will be held on Saturday, May 11th and will be a great day of fun and fellowship! This year there will be limited vendor space in the yard, and this will be on a first come/first serve basis and pre-registration is required. The day will start with a tailgate sale beginning at 8am, so now’s your chance to clean out that garage or workshop!! To pre-register please call Jerry Talton at 252-725-4434. Typical Loon Day activities will begin about 10:00 am on Saturday, with everyone assembling at the H. Curt Salter Building (Guild Headquarters), located at 1574 Harkers Island Road.
As usual, there will be no entry fee for decoys entered in the decoy competition. Please note that there are some changes to the competition:
-The live auction will only feature the top four birds from the Loon Day competition.
-The decoy that you enter will have a price assigned by the carver at the time of entry and the decoy will be available for sale at this price. If the decoy does not sell, it will go into an online auction in the fall.
-The shorebird competition will be similar as in past years with the winners able to choose a competing shorebird of their choice; however, all other shorebirds will have a price assigned by the carver at the time of entry and the decoy will be available for sale at this price. If the decoy does not sell, it will go into an online auction in the fall.
There will be a special decoy display honoring Jack Gardner, plus some terrific apparel to commemorate the day! Lunch will be provided, for a donation, from Fat Fellas, and members and guests are asked to bring a dessert to share!
Additionally, Guild merchandise will be available to purchase, and door prizes and raffle items will be given away throughout the day.
We can’t wait to see you all!! Make Loon Day 2024 a day to remember!!
William Jackson Gardner Jr. (Jack) grew up in Beaufort, attended Beaufort High School, and graduated from East Carolina University in 1967 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Technology. He then began his distinguished career in textiles at Burlington Industries in Halifax, VA. Jack later moved his family (wife Norma, daughter Kelly and son Todd) to Kinston, NC, where he worked for Guilford Mills almost 20 years. His career then took him to Martinsville, VA , where he worked until retirement as Vice-President of Operations for Tultex Corporation.
He was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Beaufort. Serving as Acolyte as a young boy and as Senior Warden on the Vestry, building furniture, and serving in multiple other capacities after he and Norma retired back to Beaufort.
Jack was an accomplished decoy carver, a passion that started when he was a boy. During his younger years, his neighbors included Dr. Theodore Salter and his family.
Dr Salter’s wife, Rosalie, was the daughter of Charles E. “Charlie” Mason, a noted decoy carver from Stacy, who would occasionally visit his Beaufort relatives. Jack recalled spending many hours watching Mr. Charlie carve decoys in the Salter’s backyard.
Over the years, Jack won several carving awards, including being honored as Featured Carver of the Year in 2013. He shared his passion for carving and woodworking with his son, grandsons and many friends.
Jack devoted many hours to kid’s carving at the guild and volunteered his talent during special carving days at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center. He especially enjoyed being part of the Thursday carving sessions (and story telling) at the guild building. Also, participating in Loon Day was a special time for Jack.
Many friends and family will remember Jack’s quick wit, great personality and welcoming smile. He enjoyed duck hunting and houseboat trips over to Core Banks, days relaxing on Shackleford Banks and spending time with family and friends.