Glacier Institute benefit in Somers raises funds for youth

Flathead residents dined in Somers last week to help continue efforts to introduce Montana youth to Glacier National Park.

More than 45 people attended the reservation-only benefit at Somers Bay Cafe that raised between $2,000 and $3,000 for the Glacier Institute's youth education program and scholarships.

Proceeds from the event were matched by the Cinnabar Foundation.

The institute brings out 800 to 1,200 students, mostly fifth and sixth graders from Valley grade schools, for science-based experiences in Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest.

The three-day Discovery School classes are designed to teach them about the culture and natural values of the ecosystem.

"One of the things we find out is that about half the kids have never been in the park," said Jim Kuhlman, president of the board for the institute. "It's a really great program."

The program just celebrated its 25th anniversary.

To fund the Discovery School, they must raise approximately $100,000 annually to keep costs low enough for Montana children to attend.

This was the first time the institute has held a fundraiser in Somers.

The owners of the cafe drew them to the West Shore.

"They believe in what we're doing," Kuhlman said. "And I've been hearing great things about their evening dinner program."

Somers Bay Cafe Chef Rick Haase and owner Dennis Hatton created a four-course wild game dinner for the occasion including an appetizer of slow roasted duck with green chilies and brie quesadilla, an antelope chorizo sausage salad, entree of elk penne pasta with a black pepper vodka cream sauce, and a dessert of huckleberry bread pudding with cinnamon nutmeg hot buttered rum sauce.

Wine to accompany the courses was donated by Flathead Beverage Co.

MORE INFO

To find out more about the Glacier Institute, call 755-1211 or visit www.glacierinstitute.org.