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CDRI Desert NewsFlash
August 2026
Image of Mitre Peak by Matt Walter. 
It's Almost BBQ Time!

If you’ve been busy and haven’t purchased your tickets for CDRI’s BBQ & Auction, scheduled for Saturday, August 15, now is the time to order! We currently have only 20 tickets available. We are planning for a maximum of 250 guests, and we cannot exceed that number. To ensure you secure your spot, we recommend ordering your tickets now!
Do you have your tickets?
CDRI’s BBQ & Auction is 15 days away!
What are you waiting for?
Get ready for a fun-filled evening at the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute’s (CDRI) annual BBQ & Auction fundraiser on Saturday, August 15. The event aims to introduce new attendees to the CDRI site while strengthening existing friendships. It also helps generate operating funds for programs throughout the upcoming year and supports CDRI’s educational initiatives for children in the Texas Education Agency’s Region 18 service area.
As of press time, we only have 20 tickets remaining. Now would be an excellent time to reserve yours!
Tickets are priced at $35. Attendees can look forward to a Silent Auction at 4 p.m. with live music by Rick Ruiz and a Few Too Many, followed by a Live Auction led by Jake Addams of Proceed With Auction at 5 p.m., and a delicious BBQ dinner catered by Sanchez BBQ at 6 p.m. A beer and wine bar, along with non-alcoholic beverages, will be open throughout the event. Did we mention that you get all this for the ticket price of $35?
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
CDRI will be closed to the public for the entire day on August 15 to set up for the event. Gates will open at 3:30 p.m., with the Silent Auction starting off the fun at 4:00. Be sure to stop at the Will Call Booth to pick up your dinner and drink tickets.

CDRI is located at 43869 State Hwy. 118, Fort Davis, Texas (4 miles SE of Fort Davis on Hwy. 118). Call 432-364-2499 for additional information.
Tickets
Thank you to our Event Host Committee
The Host Committee is comprised of generous supporters who have donated in advance of the BBQ & Auction to help us get “the ball rolling” to produce the best event yet. The 2026 hosts are listed below:
Anne Adams
Stephen & Judy Alton
Big Bend Coffee Roasters
William (Greg) Brock
Edwina Campbell
Liz & Rick Culp
Barbara Curry
Donna Dittmann & Steve Cardiff
Meredith Dreiss
Pam & James M. Duerr
Joe & Lanna Duncan
Tom & Kristin Feuerbacher
Larry & Beth Francell
Lisa Gordon
Rick Gupman
Linda Hedges and Rick Reese
Rick Herrman & Margaret O’Donnell
Susan Kirr & Rusty Martin
Charles Loban
Bruce Martin & Barbara Cheaney
Jim Martinez & Jim Fissel
Guy & Jane McCrary
Clint Parsley & Alex Albright
R. Edward Pfiester, Jr.
Sam & Rebecca Pfiester
Jerry & Susan Pittman
Robert & Lana Potts
Mike & Shirley Powell
Cecilia Riley & Mike Gray
Grant & Sheri Roane
Michael Schramm
Daryl & Mary Styblo
Pete Szilagyi & Kate McKenna
Dedie Taylor
Suzanne & Steve Tuttle
Julie & Bruce Lee Webb
Jim Weedin

Thank you for your support!
Thank you to the following donors who have helped get the BBQ off to a great start!
Cactus Liquors
Cactus Liquors, Marfa, Texas, has supported CDRI’s BBQ & Auction since 2021, providing excellent wines for the event and leading the way in showing what real support looks like. 


_____________________________________________________________
Glazer’s
Beer & Beverage
Glazer’s Beer and Beverage, Odessa, Texas, has supported CDRI’s BBQ & Auction since 2022. They are generous supporters, providing a great assortment of beverages for this event. 


_____________________________________________________________
Fort Davis
Chamber of Commerce


The Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce is a strong supporter of CDRI throughout the year. They generously provided tables and chairs for the event.   

_____________________________________________________________
Maverick Bank
Formerly known as Fort Davis State Bank, Maverick Bank is our friendly, local neighborhood bank located in Fort Davis and Alpine. They are continuing the tradition as loyal supporters of CDRI. 
Visiting Groups
Camp Mitre Peak - Girl Scouts
Texas Extension Specialist Association Conference
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Youth Group
Transitions
We were saddened by the news of the passing of former CDRI Site Manager Gina Livingston after a brief illness. There was never a task that was too big for her, and although we were sad to see her leave her job at CDRI, she left to marry the love of her life, Mike Livingston. Gina was an exceptional person and good friend to everyone who knew her.  
We discovered these wonderful pictures of Gina and former Executive Director Rick Herrman taken when they were building the Bird Blind in early 2017. 
To honor Gina, CDRI invites everyone to join us for an early morning garden stroll on Saturday, August 22 at 9:00 a.m. Admission is free. Please meet at the Visitor Center and kindly RSVP to lgordon@cdri.org if you plan to attend. Thanks! 
Photo by Mary Beadleston.

We’re looking forward to seeing y’all soon!
Wishing you happy trails
and safe travels to the BBQ!
Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, P.O. Box 905, Fort Davis, TX 79734
432.364.2499

www.cdri.org


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