Montana Gaming Group

Ravalli top prize winner donates it right back

 The drive up the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula sometimes isn't pleasant, namely when Highway 93 south is choked with traffic.
    But that wasn't the case Saturday, Feb. 21. Traffic seemed light during the late winter and all the highway construction that has been occurring in the pretty valley over the last few years has allowed for a better vehicle flow.
    My wife was along for this trip to the Ravalli County Tavern Association's annual charity dinner. She had flown into Missoula the night before from a trip visiting her folks in Mesa and Apache Junction, Ariz.
    Unfortunately, as so often happens during stress filled travels, and from being enclosed in big aluminum tubes with recycled air and 100 other folks who've been moving around the country and maybe the world, Marilyn had picked up a virus and was feeling punk.
    Dr. Boehler had the answer: blow right through Hamilton, site of that evening's function, and keep going up the valley, through Darby, then a hearty breakfast at that funky little restaurant/gift shop in Sula, then on up toward Chief Joseph Pass at the top of the Divide and the Montana-Idaho border.
    But just before you get to the top is the little Lost Trail Resort with cabins, rooms, a restaurant and bar and, most importantly, a swimming pool fed with hot water from down in the Earth's bowels...and a hot tub!
    A relaxing soak in hot spring water, good steam vapors circulating in your respiratory system and soothing your sinuses... Just the ticket for a tired and ailing traveler, I thought.
    Well, the therapy did help, and a bloody Mary at the bar afterward boosted Marilyn's stamina, but just briefly. By the time the event was about to begin at 6:30, her party dress was still hanging in the closet. It was a no-go. Too bad; the company was good, the food excellent and the cocktails well blended.
    When one thinks of the modern Bitterroot, you may envision the once open valley full of productive farms and ranches, now covered with subdivisions and 20-acre ranchettes and McMansions that start at about a half a million. And that's partly true, although past Hamilton the narrowing valley becomes more like Old Montana.
    However, right beneath the immigrant veneer are the real, true, native "Bitterrooters." You know this because when you step into the banquet hall at the Eagles Club in Hamilton, the charity dinner host facility, you see plenty of big Stetsons, pointy-toed boots, blue jeans and western cut jackets and shirts sewn with yokes and pearl snap buttons.
    There were nearly 200 folks in attendance and the hall was full.
      We immediately ran into friend Cal McOmber of the Corvallis Bar, and Tex Irwin of the West Fork Lodge, now president of the Ravalli TA. Yes, Cal and Tex wear big hats, too. There were a smattering of Missoula folks in attendance as well.
      You would expect such a banquet to feature good Montana beef, and you wouldn't be disappointed: huge slabs of rare prime rib were being served along with twice-baked potatoes, green beans almondine, a good salad and rolls. Cheesecake deserts were delicious and plentiful.
    The Eagle's Auxiliary was responsible for the victuals and know what they are about. All the platters were served up by the diligent, earnest and wholesome youth of the Victor 4-H Clover Club, who also quickly and efficiently bused the tables afterward.
    The silent auction featured a very nice array of merchandise and bidding was spirited as this writer can attest: I paid $120 for an autographed Grizzlies team football. I'm not sure that was a bargain but the nice Miller Lite cooler I snagged for $20 certainly was.
    There was a week's stay at Fairmont Hot Springs, a stereo from Jim Beam and Michael Jordon that sold for $250, a photo printer outfit from Town Pump that went for $100, a digital picture frame, Lost Trail Ski Area passes, a battery operated blender (who thinks up this stuff?), a table-top barbecue grill, a mountain bike that sold for $350, a DVD player, an iPod docking station, a Crown Royal poker table and on and on.
    The association's Paul Delaney did a fine job of emceeing and coordinating the evening's activities and drawings (yup, Paul wears a big black hat, too).
    The Ravalli County TA is credited with having implemented the first successful Designated Driver program. It has proven to be enduring and effective. After designated drivers enter a lottery, drawings are conducted and the finalist takes home a cool $1,000 cash. This year it was Evonne Vaughn of Victor. She was in Arizona so her son, Bob, accepted on her behalf.
   The Ravalli tavern association program also raises money for scholarships for students looking to learn a trade but who find themselves financially strapped. We like this thinking. This year a scholarship went to a local youth who will study diesel mechanics and another who intends to study massage therapy.
      Well, we all know what the main draw is at these events: a chance to win a bunch of cash in a raffle "calcutta" process. Ten banquet ticket holders are drawn, then an 11th is drawn from a separate raffle.
      First in was Tina Milleeberger from Hamilton's Ponderosa Bar. Next was Lois Stanley representing the Darby Liquor Store, then Charley Waliser of the Corvallis bar, Cindy Prins of Cheers Unlimited, Patty Havens, Terry Jackiewiez of Zip Beverage, Hank Walsh of Frito Lay, Joe Corsa representing Hayloft Equipment, Sarah Reynolds from Steel and Stuff, Renae Bierman of the Eagles Club and, finally, Aubrey Clark of the Magic Diamond.
    When the preliminary elimination concluded (those knocked out each got $125 and a bottle of champagne), left standing were Waliser, Havens and Reynolds...and they finished first, second and third in that order. Reynolds pursed $500, Havens pocketed $750 and Waliser stuffed $1,500 into his wallet...but not for long. There's "the rest of the story."
    Waliser announced he was donating his $750 in silent auction merchandise, and his $1,500 cash prize right back to the Ravalli TA in order that they immediately auction the whole works off again.
    We didn't get the name of the generous soul with the top bid, but our notes reveal Charlie's donation netter another $1,750 for the association. Way to go, Charlie!
    With an ailing spouse back at the motel (this was a Comfort Inn and had one of the best motel beds we've ever slept on), this writer felt obliged to depart as soon as formalities were concluded. Too bad. We'd have liked to hang out and get to know more of these fine Ravalli County licensees.
    We'll do that next year.

Source:  The Montana Tavern Times, April 2009, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W Granite, Suite 102, Butte MT. 59701