Local chefs to cook up HATS dinner

by marlys goodA newly added raffle, entertainment by Riders in the Sky, silent auction and what else will the Hands Across the Saddle gala offer this year?The “Heads and Tails” game added last year was so popular it gets a rerun. The prize this year for the last man (or woman) standing is a display case with T-shirts (autographed by Wilford Brimley) and tickets from the first three HATS event (Red Steagall, Baxter Black and Gary Morris).This year the meal will be “cheffed” by masters of the art, Greybull’s own Chris Dalin and Robb Howe. There will be roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, a tasty corn dish, salad, and strawberry sundaes all served up quickly, efficiently and with a smile by the Riverside Rebel volleyball team, overseen by Coach Lindsay Schaffner.Both the American and Wyoming flags, first flown at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan, will be flown at the Herb Asp Community Center and auctioned (mounted in a display case) during the evening.Selling of the raffle tickets will be under the direction of saleswoman supreme Jessica Hunt and John Cundall, who is returning to Greybull to help with the charity benefit.The dinner will be preceded by an a cappella rendition of “The National Anthem” by Taylor Preciado, 2011 GHS grad. Bill Brimley and his band High Water from Billings will furnish music for the dinner and the dance.Veteran auctioneer Lloyd Franks, happy to be at the helm this year, will cry the auction.The oil painting by Ann Hanson, “High Water,” on display at Bank of Greybull, is an original, not an “original print,” as reported in last week’s issue. Another “original” is the raised panel walnut chest lined with aromatic cedar crafted by Terry Wood that is on display at Big Horn Federal.Up for grabs is a National Final Rodeo Las Vegas getaway.  The package not only includes two tickets for the opening weekend, but airfare from Billings and three nights lodging at the Golden Nugget Casino. More items will be listed next week.HATS tickets are available at Ron’s Food Farm, Greybull Building Center and the Basin Chamber of Commerce office.Any donation to help offset the expenses of the annual gala, or to HATS itself, would be appreciated.