Casino Night draws crowd

You've got to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em…This group enjoyed a game of poker, waiting for the "luck of the draw."

MONTE VISTA — The annual Casino Night at the Monte Vista Elks Lodge Oct. 18 was well-attended.

The event was sponsored by the Main Street DREAM organization in Monte Vista, to raise funds for projects planned and currently underway. Several musical groups provided entertainment, while city staffers helped with serving drinks.

Some of the gamblers looked happy and others were not so happy, as each was dealt his or her hands.

There were several poker tables, with dealers, and a craps table was surrounded by people hoping to win some more chips.

A police officer stood next to the door, but said nobody seemed to want to give him any business that evening.

Bob Bryning stamped a red symbol on top of the hands of those who came in the door. Monte Vista Parks and Recreation Director Mike Bork stood by to help with whatever was needed and his wife, Chamber Director Mary Bork, sat at the front table along with Debbie and Phinel Garcia, who greeted guests as they came in.

Later in the evening, one dealer sat at a table alone, watching the others. When asked if he had been made to go sit alone, and had he been “bad?” he said yes, he’d been bad, and laughed.

A barbecue dinner was followed by Black Jack, poker, craps and live music by Blue Sky and Spark'n Thoughts. The Monte Vista Sax Quartet provided entertainment during dinner. A dessert and art auction was held, as well.

Tickets were $35 and included dinner, a free drink, a raffle ticket and $100 in chips. Participants played for chips, no money, and those with the most chips at the end of the evening could get extra raffle tickets.