Sanders County Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet raises most funds in 5 years
<p>Marla Brown-Robbins, an artist from Hot Springs, paints a glacier grizzly that was later auctioned for $800 at the RMEF banquet. </p>
PLAINS - The 22nd annual Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation of Sanders County banquet was held at the Sanders County Fairgrounds Saturday night and brought in more money for wildlife and elk conservation than recent years.
“It was one big fundraiser,” committee chair Linda Wilson said. “We had auctions, raffles and a lot of fun. I’ve heard no complaints. And I’ve been told that we had a net-to-gross amount of $17,000.”
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is an organization whose mission is to ensure “Conserving, restoring and enhancing natural habitats; Promoting the sound management of wild, free-ranging elk, which may be hunted or otherwise enjoyed; Fostering cooperation among federal, state, tribal and private organizations and individuals in wildlife management and habitat conservation; and Educating members and the public about habitat conservation, the value of hunting, hunting ethics and wildlife management,” according to their website.
The big game banquet hosted 150 guests, and a catered dinner was served.
“We had people come from all over,” Wilson said. “Spokane, Idaho, Missoula, Libby - there were many different people from different places. Every county has a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and each puts on their own banquet to raise funds for land for elk, and this, ours in Sanders County, raised the most funds in the five years I’ve been chair.”
Wilson then described a few of the highlights she personally found entertaining from the night’s events. She said it was a hilarious sight to see Orville Kuester of Plains make an appearance on the auction stage in a camoflouge nightie, fuzzy slippers and wig when the auction item Sex Peak Lookout Giveaway was presented. She also described the oil painting by Marla “Ma” Brown-Robbins, titled ‘Glacier Grizzly,’ was sold for a whopping $800. Brown-Robbins had spent most of the evening of the banquest adding the finishing touches to the painting while guests watched.
“Overall, it was very successful and everyone said it was wonderful,” Wilson said. “I’m hoping everyone had a good time. There were a lot of kids there with parents, so it was a very family event.”