Bayou in the Bitterroot
By Cole Boehler
As we pulled west out of Butte Thursday, April 22, having just bypassed our May edition news deadline, we were hit with a good downpour. Just 10 minutes later, we were in bright sunshine. Then it began to sock in again as we sped toward Missoula.
But just before the Ravalli County Tavern Association Dinner began in Florence, the clouds over the Bitterroot Range broke up and late evening sun streamed down over the peaks bathing the beautiful valley below in a golden light. Ah, springtime in Montana is good. It was a fitting beginning to a gala evening.
As we observed, the host facility High Spirits parking lot began filling rapidly with bar owners from up and down the 90-mile long valley. You could tell this is still an agricultural economy by the number of pickups, many of them with the standard cow dog in the box and rifles slung in racks in the back window. The rest seemed to be SUVs suitable for traversing unpaved back roads in four-wheel drive.
 |
| Tanya Charles of the Little Britches in Hamilton had the hot hands when it came to games of Heads And Tails: she won twice! |
Ravalli County TA president Tex Irwin and charming spouse Heidi were on hand early as Heidi was chairing the event. Tex was wearing his black cowboy hat this night. Attire was mixed but the common theme seemed to be "Montana Western": spike heels and jeans for the ladies and Carhart jeans, vest and hats for the men, even a couple sporting pony tails.
Tex and I briefly talked about flying – he in the air in his plane, me on the ground on my motorcycle – agreeing that, either way, it makes life worth living.
Past RCTA President Cal McOmber was present, and KC LaFlesch brought his Marvin's Bar gang out from Missoula. Montana Tavern Association Executive Director Bob Anderson and wife Bonnie were in attendance, too, with Bob leaving his customary necktie and sport coat at home in favor jeans and cowboy boots. We met and made friends with numerous other Bitterroot operators.
Right inside the door arrayed on the pool tables and along two walls were dozens of cool items for silent auction bidding. We bid on a few but hadn't the fortitude or funds to take them home. Certainly several thousands of dollars were raised to fund the charitable and social good works sponsored by the RCTA.
Numerous other games and events were conducted throughout the evening designed to raise even more money. There was Wii bowling competitions, golf putting contests, heads-and-tails games, live auctions, raffles and numerous other drawings, including a five day trip to Costa Rica. We bought a $20 chance on that one but, alas, we will be staying on this continent while Cindy Prins from the Cheers Unlimited liquor store in Hamilton will be enjoying the legendary white sand beaches.
As a side-note, Tanya Charles of the Little Britches in Hamilton, won the first round of heads-and-tails. No big deal. But then she won the next round, too! That's some pretty uncanny luck, but darned if we could figure out a way to cheat. Good for her!
The evening's emcees were a local morning radio talk team, Scott and Paula from 97.9 "The Ranch." It was a brilliant move on the part of event organizers as the duo are truly entertaining with their witty patter and give-and-take, and quite professional in their delivery. They kept interest high and the crowd loose while maintaining a rapid pace in running the events.
They gave away literally hundreds of T-shirts, cold cups and hats, gift certificates and bottles of liquor. Most prizes were furnished by Summit Beverage, Zip Beverage, Sysco Foods, Ranch Radio, Jeff Wood Creations, Tom Roback, Ace Hardware, Victor Liquor, Cheers Unlimited, the Montana Lottery (my ticket was worth $2!) and Ruby's Inn of Missoula.
Even the evening's big "calcutta raffle" drawing proceeded at a lively pace, but only after diners had filled themselves with Cajun cooking at a Montana style buffet: jambalaya, gumbo, pulled pork, two varieties of hot wings and drummies, bread pudding and, yes, "Montana sushi" made with chicken, sausage and beef, plus numerous other tasty dishes.
The RCTA pooled $2,500 for cash prizes for the calcutta drawing: third place, $500; second place, $750 and first place, $1,500. Every one of the 11 attendees selected to participate came away a winner, though. Even those who didn't make the top three walked away with $125.
As the eliminations proceeded, it came down to Samantha Paulson of the High County Club, Jean Hanich, a guest of Bob and Bonnie Anderson, and Amber and Brian Brawer ... and they finished in that order: Paulson, $500; Hanich $750 and the Brawers, $1,500!
As the evening neared 10 p.m., the crowd began filtering out with some lingering for a little more shop talk or socializing, this writer included. Luckily, my room for the night was in a motel about 150 feet from the High Spirits, where my slippers and pajamas awaited.
It certainly appeared the evening was a major success considering its purpose is to raise money while providing good eats, a nice social atmosphere and plenty of fun.
Long live fun! And long live local tavern association dinners!