Winter Playground
Cabinet Ridge Riders hold annual poker run
Share
Tweet
February 15, 2018
Courtesy photo
WARMING UP-The warming hut atop Gem Peak offers Poker Run participants a proper rest stop. Cabinet Ridge Riders have made various updates to the warming hut throughout the years.
The hills were alive with the sound of music, Saturday – the type of music that comes from the 'brrrappp' of a snowmobile. The Cabinet Ridge Riders (CRR) held their annual poker run, hosting 223 riders for a day of snow, auctions and imbibing.
The Lakeside Resort sent off the riders in the morning to complete their course, picking up cards for a poker hand along the way. The caravan of metal-tread steeds filed in throughout the afternoon and evening to take part in the live and silent auctions. Chances for other prizes were up for grabs, as well as the coveted items that went to bidders who could raise their hands with the most money backing them.
Winning poker hands were paid in cash up to 13th place (there was a tie for 12th place). Ten non-winning hands received a $5 payout. First place was taken by Billie Schaffer with a hand full of 7's. Jeff Aitken of Noxon landed second place with a hand of 5's, and Laura Serreyn of Tri-Cities made third place with a full house of queens and twos. Other winners took their well-earned earnings, except Ray McMillian of Idaho who donated his winnings to the CRR. Three of the $5 hands followed suit, giving back to the group. And when the 50/50 raffle was drawn in favor of Mark Hannum, he promptly donated his spoils back to the club.
While there were some modified snowmobile hot rods on the hill that day, there were also some unique models laying tracks. The oldest sled in the run was a 1990 Yamaha Snow Scoot, ridden by Kage Tuma. Not surprisingly, there was a prize for that vintage designation in the form of cash donated by Whetzel Concrete Construction.
Courtesy photo
Joy Antionette Smith of Missoula was the winner of the coveted raffle prize, Wheel Barrow of Joy. A push along yard cart filled with enough booze to last a year or more. A 300 Win-Mag rifle donated by Jack and Jan Aumiller was won by Mike Milliken of White Sulphur Springs. The rifle raffle was one of the most watched raffle items of the night. A Smith and Wesson 9mm is now in the possession of Shad Franck in Thompson Falls, and Pat Gollen of Trout Creek took home a Taurus Judge hand cannon.
With auctioneer Kevin Hill running the show, the auction part of the evening went as smooth as the groomed trails (which were under careful eye of the Noxon Ambulance team, who was present the entire day pending any emergencies).
CCR has been raising money to donate to various causes throughout the years. In 2017, the group said they have donated $12,080 to differing do-gooders in the county, including the Noxon Ambulance, School scholarships, Kids Fishing Day, Booster Clubs, food banks and many others. CCR reported $139, 720 donated to local causes since 2002.
Reader Comments(0)