Do I hear 30 dollars?
"Sam Biscuit" Bigfork's Jody Leberman checks on his huckleberry cobbler outside the Swam River Hall on Friday night before the annual pie auction. The event raises money to maintain and update the hall. Alex Strickland/Bigfork Eagle
Some of Montana's tastiest — and spendiest — pies were on the auction block Friday night at the Swan River Hall, with some delicious offerings bringing in bids in the triple digits.
About 100 people came to the eighth annual fund- raiser, which raises money for upkeep and improvements at the venerable community building at the corner of Swan River Road and Highway 83.
"These funds are earmarked for painting," said Swan River Hall Board of Trustees President Bill Stewart. "Any left over will go toward improving the parking lot."
Previous fund-raisers have supported kitchen improvements; provided new tables, chairs and carts; added a new roof; installed new flooring in the back hall and bathrooms; replaced the bathroom toilets and the ceiling and lights in the main hall; insulated the storeroom and balanced the acoustics.
Auctioneer Lyle Potts took the stage to bring in the highest bidders for each baked treat, his flurry of numbers enticing people to raise their numbered placard in support.
A few of the 15 or so pies auctioned off fetched more than $100.
After the crowd's pocketbooks were lightened, they filled their stomachs with slices of pie and heaping bowls of Sam Biscuit's — Bigfork resident Jody Leberman — huckleberry or peach cobbler.
By night's end, organizers estimated this year's event brought in about $900 for the hall.