Benefit to be held Saturday in Sun Valley
BY DANA DUGAN
Twenty-five years ago, the Wood River community came together to save one of the gems of the region. At that time, despite various efforts, Galena Lodge, an historic building that marked a trail over Galena Summit, was near to being torn down. An emphatic group of community members launched a campaign to raise the funds to save the Lodge and maintain its surrounding trails. A large matching gift by the Heinz Family Foundation, and stewardship by the Blaine County Recreation District, saved Galena Lodge and the Trails. Now owned and maintained by the BCRD on behalf of the community, Galena Lodge thrives today for the benefit of many.
Donations and Nordic pass sales continue to account for much of the success of the Lodge and its environs. As well, the annual Galena & the Trails Winter Benefit raises funds to help sustain these community treasures. The benefit will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, in the Limelight Room of the Sun Valley Inn.
“We’re really focusing on the idea of family, and how Galena has become a gathering spot for generations of families,” said Jenna Vagias, BCRD director of recreation.
The first benefit, held in 1996, was chaired by Jenny Busdon. Mary Austin Crofts was the then executive director of the BCRD.
“Mary and I were faxing (no email then) back and forth silent auction items I had gathered and received and she was at the other end in her office in Hailey, entering into the program,” Busdon recalled.
Busdon said she twisted the arms of about 200 people to buy a ticket. Bob Rosso was emcee and auctioneer, and between the three of them, they raised $30,000.
“We were ecstatic,” Busdon said. “Here we are in 2019, a sellout two weeks before the event, with 450 people attending, and we usually raise over $300,000. I cannot stress enough how people just love the Lodge, they love the skiing and they love to snowshoe and continue to be incredibly generous in their support. What a community we live in.”
This year, the evening will include a large silent auction and drinks, followed by dinner, a live auction, the Stand for Galena paddle raise, and ends with dancing to the sounds of the High Street Party Band. Among the live auction items are a trip for two to Telluride, Colo., complete with lodging and alpine skiing; a private dinner party for up to 40 with restaurateurs Anne and Scott Mason; a private cocktail and appetizer party for up to 40 in Senate Meadows hosted by chef Don Shepler of Galena Lodge and Warfield Distillery; and a private dinner party for 10 at the home of Mark and Jami Grassi, complete with award-winning Grassi wines and a catered dinner by CK’s Real Food.
On each table will be flowers made from recycled Galena maps and painstakingly created by students in the Wood River Valley, in partnership with WOW: The Generosity Project.
“We wanted to engage the next generation in continued community support,” Vagias said.
Fun always ensues when the Nordic, hiking and biking communities come together to support the beloved Galena Lodge and its surrounding trail systems.
The annual celebration is sponsored by the BCRD, the Galena and the Trails Advisory Council and Tastevin Wines.
So popular is this event that there is now a waitlist for tickets. Call Megan at (208) 578-5459 to be added to the list.
