Hospital Foundation returns to dinner format

Whitman Community Hospital Foundation will return to its long-standing dinner and auction fundraiser this year with An Elegant Evening Jan. 27.

Last year, the foundation changed things up by hosting a beer, wine and cider tasting with some auction items. While that was fun, people wanted the dinner back, according to Linda Marler, foundation vice president.

The biggest change for the dinner is the dress code has been turned down from the formal affair of past years. Marler stated a lot of younger people voiced they would like to dress more casual for the event. Ticket prices also came down a notch with the cost at only $60 per person.

The opening reception with appetizers and drinks will be at 6 p.m. at Hill-Ray in Colfax. Attendees will also be able to browse the auction items and start bidding on the silent auction items. Dinner will be prime rib with baked potato, asparagus and pairing of desserts.

Merry Cellars and Basalt Cellars will provide the wine for the dinner and will also be selling bottles. Pear cider will also be served.

There are 15 items on the block for the live auction which will again be called by Butch Booker who has long donated his time as auctioneer. Auction items include an Italian dinner made by Father Grasger, wheat, WSU basketball tickets, four Gonzaga basketball tickets and crushed rock.

“That's always popular,” Marler said of the rock.

The dinner and auction is the foundation's largest fundraiser of the year.

Reservations can be made until Jan. 20 by calling 397-3435 ext. 400, 397-3172 or 288-1314.