The Sandpoint Eater It takes a cake (and a village)

from ladders, hauling in massive pieces of equipment, stringing cords and cables, and generally doing a lot of stuff that looks dangerous (but I think the show can’t go on without them).

Later, all those helpers returned, transformed in fancy gowns and polished garb for an evening that started with plenty of cocktails — thanks to our favorite mixologists from Trinity at City Beach — which included the Pretty in Pink signature cocktail and tray-passed appetizers, followed by a threecourse gastronomic sensation: chilled lobster amuse-bouche, tea smoked duck breast salad and 24-hour braised beef with whipped brie mashed potatoes.

According to diners, the epicurean meal provided by Alex and Brittany Jacobson of Pack River Store and their crew of

30-plus helpers was over-the-top delicious (I didn’t have time for more than a quick bite of that braised beef, but I’m still thinking about it and hope to find it on a future menu at PRS).

Guests were generous with their money, and the core of more than 30 volunteers was generous with their time, including all the beautifully dressed and poised young ladies from HOSA-Future Health Professionals (formerly called Health Occupations Students of America). To learn more about their organization visit hosa.org.

One of my pet peeves — it tops my list, actually — is people complaining about teenagers; and, after spending the evening with this bevy of youthful helpers, who greeted guests, handled the coat check and helped us with the fast-paced dessert auction, I’m here to tell you the state of our youth (and future health care workers) could not be in better hands.

I’m not sure of the final dollar amount raised. Still, I know everyone who attended was generous beyond measure, and it will make a considerable dent in the funding for an additional 3-D mammography machine for Bonner General Health. If you’re inclined to donate toward this lifesaving equipment, you can still do so at bonnergeneral.org/ foundation.

I know it sounds cliché, but the generosity of our community never ceases to amaze me. In the past 30 years, I’ve knocked on doors, hosted and volunteered at fundraisers, baked, bartered and bought more than my share of raffle tickets to support myriad causes here. I’m not alone.