Flathead gang hosted NASCAR theme dinner
Pub Date: 6/1/2008
By Roger Porter
Ah, a beautiful weekend, a delightful drive to the Flathead Valley western Montana s playground and a great night spent with our many friends from the Flathead Valley Tavern Association, attending their 14th Annual Charity Dinner May 17. Tough assignment'; however someone has to do it.
Once more the annual affair was conducted at the Outlaw Inn which has hosted the event the past four or five years.
The dining tables reflected the creativity of the host organization with a pyramid of play money being the focal point of each setting complemented by a red pillow touting the Las Vegas NASCAR trip that was to be given away during the evening.
The function began at six o clock with a one-hour cocktail party. During that time guests could browse the many live and silent auction items available for bidding throughout the evening. The auction items were displayed in theme format and for the most part were quite intriguing.
Also on display was the 52-inch plasma television which together with an iPod were to be the two main prizes for the brown sack auction to be held later in the evening.
A fun addition to the evening was a reality stock car racing track set up in an adjacent room. The folks at Full Throttle Entertainment kept the action going as participants bellied up to test their racing skills. The best driver of the evening was the winner of a snow board'; how perfect for winter sports country.
For a mere $2 guests could try their luck at the money machine by sticking their hands in and gathering up as many slips of paper as they could in a given time. The slips entitled the winners to free drinks or a chance to register to win a three- wheel electric cart that many of the guests tested out throughout the evening, zipping hither and yon. As it happened, Bobbie Briscoe ended up packing it up at the end of the evening.
As the cocktail hour wound down the guests were urged to find their seats and the evening's emcee, Tim Lannaghan, began the program by introducing the group s president, Dan Skiles, and their ever faithful secretary, Jill Frampton. Additional introductions of VIP s and politicians vying for office in the upcoming elections were also made.
At this point came the call for dinner and Lannaghan started the procession by assigning certain tables to the food line. He also began calling numbers for gifts to be given to the lucky ticket holders chosen. However, when all was said and done, nearly everyone received a complimentary gift. Lannaghan was assisted in this task by Jill and his lovely wife MJ.
With two buffet presentations set up and each servicing two lines of diners, the lines moved right along. The evening's fare consisted of carved baron of beef with horseradish sauce or au ju, chicken breast with cream sauce, filet of whitefish, roasted red potatoes, seasonal vegetables, pasta and green salad with a choice of two dressings. Rolls and butter completed the offerings.
Following the dinner mini desserts, including chocolate selections and cheesecake, were served from the cleared buffet tables.
As the dinner wound down Tim began the live auction aided by his version of Vanna White Dan Skiles with many of the items going in excess of $600. Once more the year's supply of beer (Coors Light) went to local businessman Smokin Joe" Legris for $600. He also took home the year's supply last year, the only difference being it was Budweiser.
Sandwiched in the live auction action was the drawing for a Las Vegas NASCAR trip for two including air fare and lodging. The lucky winner of this great trip was Jared Buck of Evergreen Liquor.
As the live auction concluded the brown bag auction took place. Eight brown bags were auctioned off and the winners seated at the head table. Each sack contained a slip naming the prize the recipient would receive with the two grand prizes being the 52-inch TV and the iPod.
The first person to successfully bid for a sack was Bob Lincoln Sr. who immediately saw he was the winner of one of the grand prizes, although he didn t know which one. As the remainder of the sacks were opened the recipients were awarded their gifts and the last sack opened contained the other grand prize. Lincoln was the first to open his prize packet and lo and behold he immediately became the owner of a 52-inch TV with Joe Legris taking home a new iPod.
The final item on the event-packed agenda was the major happening of the evening, the "calcutta raffle." The Flathead TA utilizes the express drawing of numbers to seat seven persons at the head table to vie for the big money'; the "express method" being one number drawn, one person seated, and it certainly goes fast. (Most other local tavern associations utilize the long drawn out method of drawing 10 numbers and then drawing the name of one contestant from amongst the 10.) The eighth seat was auctioned off and brought in $500.
The eliminations were then begun with those eliminated sadly vacating their seat to return to their tables minus the big money, but still $150 richer for their efforts.
Then it was time for the moment of truth. The top monies went to Christy Olsen, $500 for third place, Gold Dust Casino'; $750 and second place went to Rob Maddux of Pepsi and the big winner was Annette Hauer representing the Black Angus and pocketing $1,500.
Well, it was all over but the shouting as the crowd dispersed either returning home or visiting their favorite air conditioned tavern. As always, the FVTA put on one helluva show.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, June, 2008, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.