The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s (SVSEF) Fall Game Dinner and Auction is now a long time tradition. First taking place when Gerald Ford was in still in office and Sylvester Stallone was about to make his first appearance as Rocky Balboa in 1976, the dinner began as a night of poorly-plucked birds and freezer-burned elk donated from the ice chests of ski team parents, all laid out in a buffet-style feeding trough.
Now in its 34th year, the dinner has upscaled, becoming a night for suit jackets and stilettos, life-sized Canadian geese centerpieces and enough silverware at each place setting to lose a fork, spare one to your neighbor, and still have one to use for your entrée. Filling Sun Valley’s Limelight Room, the 390 guests made up a who’s who of the Valley—families, friends, coaches and local socialites all mingled, dined and celebrated the SVSEF together.
With the help of 205 volunteers and donations from more than 300 local businesses and supporters, the event was truly a community effort and a tribute to an organization that has been a prominent part of the Valley for 45 years.
The evening began with passed appetizers and a silent auction selling everything from vintage bottles of wine to guided backcountry ski trips. Once guests took their seats, the dinner consisted of a light salad topped with crumbled blue cheese and cranberries and a choice of duck confit with braised red cabbage or roasted elk medallions under a huckleberry zinfandel sauce cooked by the chefs of the Sun Valley Resort. During the meal, attendees could watch “The Air I Breathe,” a 5B Productions’ film featuring SVSEF kids, on any one of the large projection screens around the room.
After the meal, Doran Key presented Rick Kapala “The Jack Simpson Dedicated Coaches Award” for his commitment to the Nordic ski team for the past 23 years. A standing ovation and a film of Kapala’s former students showed the Valley’s support for the decision. Kapala humbly accepted the award with a smile engulfing his face and tears welling in the corners of his eyes.
A live auction of weekend getaways and private dinners followed the award ceremony and kept the audience’s heads turning to see who would land the week-long yacht package or the Salmon River rafting trip.
The energy level never dipped nor waned at any point during the night and a profound sense of community seemed to fill every corner of the room. Young ski teamers listened to stories of SVSEF veterans and old friends caught up between profuse hugs and handshakes.
By the end of the evening, the event had succeeded in raising a third of the SVSEF’s annual budget, and SVSEF Fundraising Event Director, Kate Berman, said the foundation was very pleased.
“The positive energy in the room and the support for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation—you could just feel it. It was very evident in the participation,” Berman said. “The community support here is just phenomenal.”
In a close tie with the Janss Pro-Am Classic as one of the SVSEF’s biggest annual fundraisers, the Fall Game Dinner is the SVSEF’s longest running tradition and a local favorite. Regardless of who’s preparing the game or how fancy the attire, for more than three decades now the event has managed to bring the Valley together for one night to feast, fundraise and enjoy each other’s company.
Things to Buzz about:
BCRD FitWorks Open House – Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010
Tour and learn about the new Blaine County Recreation District’s FitWorks workout center from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010 at their open house. The FitWorks center is located in the Community Campus in Hailey, and entrance to the event is free. For more information visit BCRD or call 578-5459.
Laughing Stock Theatre Company presents “And Then There Were None” – Thursday, Nov. 18, through Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010
Try to figure out who done it in the Laughing Stock Theatre Company production of Agatha Christie’s best selling novel “And Then There Were None.” Thursday through Saturday, the show starts at 7 p.m. with $20 general seating and $30 reserved seating at the NexStage Theatre. Sunday the show closes with a matinee showing at 3 p.m. For more information call 726-9124.
The Gringo Choir’s “A Taste of the Atlantic” – Friday, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010
See local talent Max Kessler perform in a traveling multi-media poetry show. The group of slam poets united in college and has since toured the country, winning titles at various competitions. The show starts at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday night at the Liberty Theatre. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for students 18 and under. To learn more about The Gringo Choir visit their website.
