Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Generosity reigns

Galena Lodge benefit captures magical moments


By MEGAN THOMAS
Express Staff Writer

Organizer Jenny Busdon and volunteer Tom Heinrich applaud Bill and Jean Cassell?s purchase of a Nappy Neaman mountain goat viewing extravaganza. Phil and Susan Usher also purchased another overnight goat trip. During the live auction Scott and Anne Mason and their table mates, the Perry?s and the Stommel?s bid on a Washington cross-country ski package. Nappy Neaman sells his overnight goat viewing package to the crowd, as auctioneer Larry Flynn and organizer Bob Russo chuckle. Silent auction bidders contribute to the record setting Galena benefit. Photo by Willy Cook

Supporters of Galena Lodge and The North Valley Trails gathered Saturday, Nov. 6 in the Limelight Room at the Sun Valley Inn for the 9th Annual Friends of Galena and the Trails Benefit Dinner and Auction. The evening entitled ?Magical Moments? created its share of enchantment with a record amount of money raised for the valley?s historic facility.

?We were just ecstatic about the turnout and glad to see our supporters having a good time and raising needed funds for Galena and the trails,? said Blaine County Recreation District executive director Dave Keir.

The benefit grossed $134,985 for the lodge and trails?a $20,000 increase over last year?s event.

The money raised significantly helps to sustain the Galena Lodge and the surrounding trails by raising over 50 percent of the lodge?s annual operating costs. The Blaine County Recreation District owns the community facility. The lodge itself is too remote to be profitable and affordably priced passes necessitate other fundraising activity.

This year, as in previous years, supporters stepped up to the plate during silent and live auctions.

?The energy in the room was amazing,? said Susie Wrentmore, the district?s community services director.

A highlight of the evening came during the live auction in the battle for Nappy Neaman?s popular Mountain Goat Basecamp Experience. Dueling bidders vied for the trip to view goats in the backcountry. After the goat item sold, the trip returned to the auction block, and a bidder matched the previous winning amount. The action raised $10,600.

?The action going on was phenomenal,? Raeghen Peavey, the district?s office manager, said.

An additional magical moment came about when John Wyman, a relative of long-time Galena owner Pearl Barber, shared his memories of Galena with the crowd. Wyman made the trip from Pocatello to attend the dinner auction.

?It all becomes one big family,? organizer Jenny Busdon remarked.

The stories of the lodge played an integral role in the evening. A video featured members of the Nordic community through a series of interviews and old-time photographs.

?We always want to pay respect to the history of the lodge,? Keir remarked. ?It?s part of the magic.?

This year the program also included a list of infrastructure items, like a new boiler and front doors, needed at the lodge. Attendees took care of many of these needed capital improvements.

?It?s one of my favorite evenings of the year because it?s all people passionate about Galena Lodge and the trails,? Keir concluded.




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