YCTA dinner raised $20,000 for ill Mac Mickey
Pub Date: 6/1/2008
By Roger Porter
The Yellowstone County Tavern Association s annual charity dinner has earned a reputation for being one of those don t miss affairs.
May 6, 2008, marked the 36th anniversary of the event and it lived up to expectations due largely to the efforts of the association s executive secretary, Sheila Brown, who coincidentally also celebrated her ???? birthday on that date.
The evening began at six o clock with a cocktail hour which gave those in attendance a good opportunity to mingle and examine the many silent auction items on display. Neck-and-neck with the Flathead bunch, the YCTA is renowned for their silent auction and the vast variety of items included.
For those wishing a little libation three bars were strategically located in the banquet room of Billings Holiday Inn Grand.
Once more the evening's events were guided throughout the night by the men in black which used to number two, but this year numbered five. Perhaps they have a league basketball team in their spare time. Members of the fabulous five were John Blair, Cam Schieno, Gordian Kiedrowski, Tim Zorn and Doug Jensen.
As the cocktail hour wound down the guests were advised to find their seats for the evening. As the crowd drifted towards their perches it was soon obvious that with the extraordinary turnout, there were more guests than there were chairs. So the call went out for additional tables and chairs and the problem was resolved in quick order.
The evening's welcome was delivered by famed yoga master John Blair who also proceeded to introduce the VIPs in the audience including a number of past presidents of the Montana Tavern Association. Dennis White, the current president, was also in attendance and tipped his hat to the crowd.
Being an election year, what is a major event without some political candidates and this affair was no exception with the appearance of Monica Lundeen, candidate for state auditor, and John Parker, one of three democratic candidates vying for the nomination for attorney general.
A big YCTA thank you was also offered up to Century Gaming for their purchase of 25 dinner tickets.
Following the introductions came the call for dinner and the guests lined up on both sides of the two buffet set-ups to partake of the offerings prepared by the Holiday Inn catering staff led by catering manager Lacy Dawn Sullivan.
The delectable offerings consisted of carved smoked brisket complimented by a choice of chipotle, Carolina or Memphis BBQ sauce, maple pine glazed chicken, pork loin with jalapeno jelly, coleslaw, pasta salad, hot German potato salad and garden salad with a variety of dressings. Dinner rolls and corn muffins finished off the buffet table and diners were later treated to a wide array of desserts at the dessert station. Table wines were compliments of intermountain and Briggs Distributing.
As the guests enjoyed the gastronomical treats the fabulous five busied themselves verifying the tickets for the calcutta raffle which was to follow and highlight the evening.
Immediately following the completion of dinner the calcutta began with the drawing of guest tickets to fill the 10 seats at the head table. interspersed throughout the selection process were drawings for $100 chosen at random from amongst ticket holders.
Once the 10 head table seats were filled the drawing for the 11th seat commenced. The final seat was filled from a drawing of a single ticket from the many tickets sold specifically for that seat.
Now for the rest of the story.
The YCTA had pledged that all the proceeds of the 11th ticket sales would be donated to Mac from The Mickeys. Mac was diagnosed with Glioma, an aggressive form of cancer characterized by tumors in the brain. The proceeds from the 11th seat were meant to help defray Mac s soaring medical costs.
With the selection of the 11th seat winner, Tom Hilger from Huntley s Blue Cat, the calcutta elimination began.
One by one the potential winners were weeded out and returned to their seats $150 heavier but out of the big money. Then there were but three seated at the head table and the tension mounted as the final eliminations and the awarding of the big money began.
First out was Lisa Carra who represented the Yellowstone Bank and carried off $1,250. Now there were but two and the draw was made for second place and $1,750. Always a bridesmaid but never a bride, Laurie Riemann of Little Big Man Pizza exited with $1,750, a nice little cache for a rainy day.
And, taking home the first place money of $2,500 was Tom Hilger, the 11th seat winner.
However, Tom didn t take home $2,500, but graciously donated his winnings to Mac from The Mickeys. Tom was joined in his largesse by many of the head table winners of $150 and numerous winners of the $100 drawings. All and all it was estimated the evenings Calcutta raised in excess of $20,000 to help defray Mac s expenses.
Once more the Yellowstone county folks showed their big hearts and put a capital "C" in "charity."
With the Calcutta concluded the evening wound down. It was to bed for the less hearty and just the beginning of the evening for those seasoned souls out to make the best of their night in Billings.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, June, 2008, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.