By Roger Porter After a few years of gracing the Missoula Holiday Inn with their annual dinner, the Missoula County Tavern Owner's Association found themselves back at one of their old venues for the 2005 affair. This year's event was held at the city's Doubletree Inn on the edge of the Clark Fork River.
This year's gala affair sported some grand decorations, thanks to the efforts of Party America. Balloons were festooned throughout the ballroom and each table had a giant champagne glass centerpiece. For collectors (or mini drinkers) each table was also outfitted with a selection of mini bottles courtesy of Young's Market and Barton Brands.
The evening began with a cocktail hour from 6-7:30. Tranquil piano music was provided by Jody Marshall and guests mingled and renewed old acquaintances while enjoying a libation of their choice. For those desiring a little nourishment, some cocktail goodies including an assortment of crackers, fresh veggies, home-style meatballs and crab and artichoke dip and toasted baguettes were there for the choosing.
While mingling and relaxing, those present took the opportunity to peruse the many silent auction items on display. Bidders could enter their bids for liquor baskets, an industrial blender, digital camera, a tailgate party kit and numerous other items.
This year's theme of "Champagne and Diamonds" was made real as the host group was selling tickets for an unusual contest where the holders of 12 lucky tickets would vie for a beautiful diamond furnished by Stoverud Jewelers. Each finalist was provided with a flute filled with champagne and, after draining their glasses, one lucky finalist--in this case Rhonda Maun--found herself to be the winner of a $1,200 unmounted diamond which she discovered in the bottom of her flute.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening's event was the very capable Mike Grunow who has honed his skills over the past couple of years. Mike began the evening's program by introducing some of the guests in attendance.
Representing the Montana Tavern Association was newly elected president Jupe Compton. Special recognition was also accorded Phil Benson who was in attendance for the first time in a number of years. Benson was one of the "shakers and movers" in the early days of the local association.
Grunow then issued the call for dinner and guests queued up in two lines to go through the buffet.
The evening's fare consisted of tossed mixed greens with a choice of Doubletree dressings, fresh fruit salad, pasta salad, roasted baby red potatoes, fresh seasonal vegetables, baked halibut with lemon/thyme vinaigrette and chef-carved baron of beef with creamy horseradish.
The dessert consisted of a mouth watering assortment of mega calorie dishes.
As the dinner was winding down, Grunow began the selection of the lucky souls to occupy the head table, hopeful to win one of the three top prizes in the "calcutta" raffle. interspersed throughout the head table seating were many drawings for the beautiful liquor baskets which have became a hallmark of this dinner.
Finally, the elimination began for the top prizes of $500, $1,000 and $2,000. Aided by association president Mike Helean, the elimination moved right along with those eliminated returning to their seats a bit downcast but $200 richer.
With the final three left, John McGreavy emerged as the third place winner of $500, J. Robert Gillilard come up second with $1,000 to put in his pocket and the top winner, Randy Lindsley of Fleetwood Gaming, garnered $2,000 which was destined to be split with his Fleetwood buddies.
With the raffle completed, the crowd began to disperse. With another successful banquet under their belts, a special thanks was accorded association executive secretary Laurie Clark. The final count for the evening's attendance was 224, a successful event indeed.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, Dec., 2005, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.