By Roger Porter One of the summer's premium social, charitable and small business events is the Toole County Tavern Association dinner.
This event is not your ordinary dinner and it's rumored that many of those attending actually schedule their yearly vacation in order to take in the three-day event.
This year the affair kicked off with the traditional barbecue held August 7 at the Oasis Bar with association President Tom Flynn doing the honors.
The following day began with a 9:30 a.m. tee time to launch the annual 18-hole Handicap Scramble Golf Tournament. Immediately following the tournament, an awards ceremony was conducted at the Oasis prior to the evening formalities beginning with cocktails and dinner at the Shelby Elks Club.
The cocktail party was held downstairs at the Elks with light hors d' oeuvres to whet the appetite. At the tolling of the 7 o'clock hour, the crowd moved to the upper level of the club to embark on the dinner phase.
Although not originally slated as Master of Ceremonies, local tavern personality Darrell Keck rose to the occasion and led the charge as he has done so many times in the past.
For a small association the Toole County Dinner probably draws as many out-of-towners as do many of their larger cousins. Prominent amongst those attending were a number of past presidents and luminaries of the Montana Tavern Association including Tom Heisler, Jim Grubbs, Harry Klock, Steve Morris, current President Jupe Compton, association lobbyist and attorney Mark Staples, Executive Director Diana Koon and First Vice President Bob Miller.
Rounding out the MTA personalities were Kent Frampton and Bill Lincoln of the Flathead area. In addition, a number of area politicians were also introduced.
Prior to dinner the guests were able to view the silent auction items and enter bids for their favorites. As the guests visited and the servers readied the buffet table Keck proceeded to verify the tickets for the Chinese Auction which would follow the dinner.
With the call to dinner the guests lined up on either side of the buffet table to indulge in the offerings of Mary Witt and her Elks crew. Diners did indeed have a feast in store for them in the tradition of past Toole County affairs.
This evening's fare included a very tasty and tender prime rib complimented by an assortment of seafood which included baked salmon, scallops, shrimp and king crab. Rounding out the bountiful feast was a hot potato dish, vegetables, tossed and fruit salads, all complemented by dinner rolls and dessert. Each table also featured wine for the oenophiles.
The dinner was a great success and if one observed the plates of Bill Stedman and Bob Miller, it was quite obvious the two were having a contest to see which one could pile their plates the highest with discarded king crab shells. The consensus was it was close, but a tie.
Following hot on the heels of the dinner was the Chinese Auction which in any other venue is called a "calcutta raffle."
As the winning seat numbers were called the head table seats began to fill up. The crowd cheered as their favorites were selected. Once the head table seats were filled the oft dreaded eliminations began with those who had their numbers called returning a bit downcast, but none the less $150 richer, to their seats.
Then it got down to the final three and moment of truth as to who would take home the big money. The number three prize of $300 was drawn and the winner was Ferraro's of Bozeman. At this point the tension was at an all time high as the ticket was drawn for the second place prize of $500 which went to Gary Harmon of the Tap Room.
And, coming out on top and pocketing $1,000 was Valerie Farnham representing the incomparable Oxford Bar owned by Russell DeVries. Farnham was heard to promised she would hold that money in trust for Russell who was enjoying his annual six-month vacation in Minnesota where he is said to inventory the loon population.
The final awarding of monies for the evening was to the winner of the 50/50 drawing. The ticket holder's share turned out to be $250 which in turn was awarded to Barb Grubbs of Billings, fresh off her win at the Tri-County dinner one month before.
At this point the formal program ended and the crowd adjourned to take a tour of local bars with transportation provided courtesy of the TCTA.
In closing Keck announced that brats and stuff would be served at the Dixie Inn at the midnight hour, courtesy of Mike Cetraro.
Lest you think the annual fete was over, think again, for those who had the strength to rise in the morning were able to partake in a fine breakfast at the Dixie Inn--fitting end to a fine affair.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, Sept., 2006, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.