By Mona Moore
Special to the News-Herald

Wade Nolan has some stories to tell. The outdoorsman will share a few of them at an Outdoorsman Banquet sponsored by the Southside Baptist Church and Nansemond River Baptist Church.

Sponsored by the churches’ Outdoor Ministries, the March 31 event will include a pork loin dinner catered by Mobile Pig-Nic Catering, a raffle and Nolan’s tales of grizzly attacks.

Nolan is a biologist who has written and produced award-winning hunting and wildlife videos that appeared on ABC, CBS, NBC and BBC, according to his website. He also filmed pieces for National Geographic and the BBC National History Unit.

Nolan uses speaking engagements like sportsman’s banquets to share what he calls “life application Christianity.”

“I draw audiences into living stories and then firmly attach Christ centered truths that can be recalled years later,” Nolan states on his website. “I boldly and clearly explain God’s plan of salvation.”

J.R. Ruggiero and Nathan Carr are coordinating the Outdoorsman Banquet. With the help of a dedicated group of volunteers, Carr said, the second annual event has been a breeze to put together.

“Everybody has chipped in and pulled their weight,” he said.

The Outdoorsman Banquet will be held from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Kings Fork High School, 351 Kings Fork Road.

Family entertainment will include hunting call show-and-tell for the kids and as many as 10 local vendors of hunting and outdoor goods.

Tickets must be purchased in advance and will be on sale through March 26 for $10.

“That’s dirt cheap. You can’t go to Chick-fil-A for $10 and get all that you will get (at the banquet),” Ruggiero said.

The ticket covers the meal, guest speaker and raffles throughout the day.

“There will be a lot of hunting and fishing giveaways,” Carr said.

The banquet is not a fundraiser for the churches, but a part of their outreach program.

“It’s just to have a good time with family and friends, learn more about the outdoors and get closer to the God that created it all for our enjoyment,” Ruggiero said.

For more information, call Nansemond River Baptist Church at 484-3423 or Southside Baptist Church at 539-6629.