By Roger Porter
One annual pilgrimage I always look forward to is the trip to the Carbon Stillwater Tavern Association Charity Dinner.
Actually I have made it into something of a game, as is much of my life. The game is a takeoff on the annual appearance of the groundhog in Pennsylvania. If when you hit Red Lodge there is a measurable amount of snow on the ground, Spring is just around the corner. However, if the ground is clear, look for six more weeks of winter showers.
Good news, Spring is just around the corner as there was about a foot of fresh snow on the ground April 3, where last year there was none.
The 2007 annual dinner was once more held at the Rock Creek Resort, a beautiful setting about six miles from Red Lodge up the Highway 212, the All American Road known as the "Beartooth Highway."
Guests of this grand affair were even treated to a bit of a wildlife show as a fairly large herd of elk could be seen on the right hand side of the road leading to the resort.
The evening began with a cocktail hour at 6:30. The cocktail hour provided the guests an opportunity to roam around and renew old friendships. Guests could also amble back to the pool area and check out the many items gracing the silent auction tables.
The call to assemble in the dining room came at approximately 7:30 and guests scrambled to find seats next to their friends or business associates. A nice crowd was in attendance representing nearly every small town in the association. In addition, a sizable contingent was present from the Billings area.
Once more Jimmy Howard, the "ex-officio mayor of Roberts," was at the helm as Master of Ceremonies and he shared his charm and wit with the crowd throughout the evening. Those who have attended these affairs in the past can't help but to have noticed that Jimmy' charm and wit seem to gain momentum as the evening wears on.
A few introductions of notables was made, namely local association president Jim Johnson and the President of the Montana Tavern Association, Jupe Compton.
Without much delay the call for dinner was sounded and the guests passed into the hallway where two buffet lines were organized to partake of the evening's victual delights.
Never a group to disappoint in the food department, diners found this year's offerings were no exception. At the head of the menu was a spinach salad with a choice of dressings followed by asparagus, baby red potatoes, mashed potatoes with a hint of garlic, a delightful crusted walleye with tartar sauce, rolls and chef-sliced prime rib complimented by au jus or horseradish.
Upon returning to their seats the diners could choose from two dinner wines provided by intermountain and Briggs Distributing.
As a fitting finale to a great dinner guests were treated to a wonderful chocolate cake sporting chocolate morsels and clocking in at about 3,000 calories. However it didn't appear the diners were too concerned about the caloric content once they tasted the cake. After all, it is a once a year event.
Once the dining wound down the formal program began with the drawing of tickets for the many liquor baskets which were to be given away. Ticket numbers were called and the happy winners almost threw their arms out of the sockets as they laid claim to their booty.
It strikes me as odd that there always seems to be one table which gathers more than their share of the loot. This observation held true for the CSTA dinner where one group of eight people seemed to win half of the baskets. More power to them.
The winner of this year's Mini Passport contest was also announced and presented with a $250 prize. This contest required contestants to pick up a card at every member establishment visited (only one card per establishment) and the person with the most cards was declared the winner. Take it from a past participant, there are a lot of member establishments spread hither and yon across Carbon and Stillwater Counties!
Sandwiched in between the various activities on the formal program were the drawings for a seat at the head table to vie for the big money in the calcutta raffle. Finally all 10 head table seats, plus the 11th seat, drawn from tickets sold at the dinner, were filled and it was time to go for the big money.
One by one the seats were vacated with the early-outs exiting $150 richer. Those who remained were asked whether they wished to sell their seats for a reasonable bid. Finally, one seat was sold to Dave and Rhonda Waylander of Livingston for $400, with the rest of the occupants willing to let the chips fall where they may.
And then there were three, Rhonda, Curt Riemann (of mustard fame) and the effervescent Doris (Day) Kracaw. The ball was drawn for third place with the $750 winner being Doris.
Next was the final moment of truth and lo and behold Rhonda rose to the occasion winning, $1,000. The last man standing was Curt who pocketed a cool $1,500.
Well, all good things must come to an end and the CSTA dinner was no exception. Many of the guests adjourned and took advantage of the provided transportation (Lost Village bus) and toured Red Lodge after dark, or the "Barmuda Triangle," as it's called, according to Doris.