Views from the Mews
April Newsletter from the Black Hills Raptor Center
Dear Friends and Supporters,

What an amazing time it is at the BHRC! I get goosebumps (should that be hawkbumps??) just thinking about what this year will hold for us.

The building permit for the Rehabilitation and Research Hub will be filed with Pennington County by the end of the month. Our project is being managed by Bice & Young Engineers, and we are thrilled to have these two fellas supporting our efforts.
 
We have enough money in the bank that we can get the building up and enclosed before the next snow season. Whether or not we can make progress on the interior from Dec 2023 - May 2024 depends on you….our generous donors. Any amount of money you can earmark for this effort will be greatly appreciated for years to come! The sooner the structure is complete, the more birds we can help fly free.
We have been approved by the SD Dept of Revenue to be one of the non-profits in the state that is allowed to have emblems for emblem vehicle license plates.

When you renew your vehicle license plates this year, all you have to do is request “emblem plates”. There is no charge for them. Next step is to go to our website (here), and order a pair of decals. The cost is $10 per pair, plus $1.50 for the postage.

Please read below for more about our annual spaghetti feed and silent auction, which will be held on April 22. Our location is the Christian Life Center at Canyon Lake United Methodist church, 3500 Canyon Lake Dr, Rapid City.

This year, we are serving bison meat spaghetti and all the fixings from 5-7pm. TWO bird programs this year, each featuring different raptors. 55 silent auction items. A bake sale with a superb selection of pies. Raptor Center merchandise for sale. And great family fun. I can’t wait to see you there!

Maggie Engler
Executive Director
The Annual Spaghetti Feed and Silent Auction Fundraiser
It has become a spring tradition: spend an evening with the birds, FOR the birds!

Our annual spaghetti feed and silent auction will be held Saturday, April 22 at Canyon Lake United Methodist church, 3500 Canyon Lake Dr, Rapid City.

We start serving bison meat spaghetti and all the fixings at 5pm. We are grateful to the Intertribal Bison Council for the donation of the healthy, delicious bison meat!  Meals are available until 7pm. If you prefer a meatless option, that is also available.

Chocolate cherry mice from the American Heritage Girls troop will be served!
Two raptor programs will be presented, with different species at each. The first will be at 5:45pm; the second at 7pm. We are honored to bring in our partnering organization from northeastern SD….FARE (Falconry and Raptor Education), which is the brainchild of Tanya McCarlson. She will be sharing 4 raptors, including a magnificent Harris Hawk named Twitch!
This year’s Silent Auction will include 55 donated items. Magnificent art. A 4 person tent. Hand crafted wine glasses. Baskets chock full of gift certificates.

Keep an eye on our website in the next couple weeks, for images and descriptions of the amazing things you can take home with you.

You can buy your dinner tickets in advance at our website. Or, simply come to the door. Prices remain $7 per plate, or $25 for a family of 4 or more. Kids 5-12 years old eat for $5, and kids under 5 are free. We are excited to see you!
We all NEED a vacation, right? A great vacation. A get away from it all, immerse yourself in the great outdoors, and relax vacation??? YES, we do.

Have we got the deal for you! The Black Hills Raptor Center is raffling off a 3 night “glamping” vacation for two, and the WINNER gets to pick from one of 3 destinations!

Would you rather go to Yellowstone? Acadia in Maine? Or the Grand Canyon? YOU get to choose your destination! This amazing raffle is going to be open until 5pm on May 13, 2023. Imagine telling your mom on Mother’s Day that you have won this trip for her!
First prize:

3 night glamping vacation for 2 people, with the winner selecting their destination from one of three National Park locations. You get a private luxury tent, with its own bathroom, king sized bed, and on-site dining. There are complimentary activities at each location, and dedicated trip planning and concierge services. Plus you have 24 months to travel, so you can plan your trip! $2,700 value.
Second prize:

2 nights at Copper Canyon Lodge near Nemo, SD. This 20 acre destination is a cabin that fits 2-6 people, is pet friendly, includes a kitchenette, propane grill, satellite TV, wifi, and fishing available in Box Elder Creek. Dates are Wed July 26 in the afternoon to Friday July 28, 2023. Value is $400.
Third prize:

A night on the town in Rapid City. This package includes a gift certificate for dinner at The Wine Cellar, a bottle of wine, and two tickets to a performance of the Black Hills Symphony. Value is $175.

Tickets start at 10 tickets for $10, and the more you buy,
the less you pay per ticket!

Click Here to buy your tickets!
Public Programs & Meet 'n Greets
So many programs! Check out the website to learn more!

April 22 – the annual spaghetti feed 
4-7:30pm Canyon Lake United Methodist Church,
3500 Canyon Lake Dr, Rapid City


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