By Daniel Nolker
Ranger-Review Staff Writer
As the autumn moon rose over the rugged and majestic badlands of Makoshika State Park Oct. 1, the Glendive Lions Club hosted over 100 community members for a night of fine dining at Moonlight Over Makoshika.
Since 1992, the Lions have invited the public for one evening a year to enjoy a gourmet meal in the unique setting of the A-frame lodge in the heart of Montana’s largest state park.
Current Glendive Lions Club president Craig Anderson said the club works hard to provide a unique experience for guests and raise funds for important club projects.
“Moonlight Over Makoshika is a special event because it is a unique experience in a very different sort of venue. The drive up through the park offers some magnificent views and we work hard to offer a quality dining experience. Where else are you going to get lamb shank ossobuco or chicken cordon bleu within a 250-mile radius?” Anderson said.
Wisconsin natives Marge Rein and Catherine Wagner have been regular guests at Moonlight Over Makoshika for the past 19 years. They make an annual pilgrimage to Glendive specifically for the event and to visit family in the area.
“We love to visit with friends and see the beautiful park this time of year. When the sun sets on the hills during the drive up to the camp, it is absolutely breathtaking,” Rein said.
Wagner said the people and scenery make the event a unique experience.
“The food is always excellent and the Lions is a good organization so I like to support them,” Wagner said.
Established in 1944, the Glendive Lions Club has supported numerous community projects and events. One of the largest projects undertaken by the Glendive Lions was the Lions Youth Camp.
According to Glendive Lions Club historical records, a 1966 proposal to develop a youth camp progressed into a search for a suitable site. After examining several locations including the McCarthy Cabin and Schepen’s Grove, the club voted in 1969 to purchase the Sundling property, which is five miles from Glendive and adjacent to Makoshika State Park.
Originally, the property consisted of 160 acres, a large log lodge and two out-cabins. Seven new cabins completed camping facilities around the original lodge and became known as Sleepy Hollow. As its name implies, Sleepy Hollow is nestled in a “hollow” between two hills in a secluded spot. The dedication of the camp was held on July 16, 1969.
However, it soon became evident that an upper camp with a new building was needed during certain periods of the camping season.
“The A-Frame concept seemed to be the most feasible and offer the most usable space and also blend into the surroundings without becoming an environmental eye sore,” the records stated.
The A-frame style lodge is 72’ by 30’ with a height of 30’ at the apex of the triangle. It also has a 38’ by 30’ deck designed as an outside patio to provide a panoramic view of the Makoshika badlands. From the deck, a boardwalk leads to an observation platform built on the edge of the canyon. In 1977, the Makotahena Bicentennial Lodge was completed and the upper camp was established. The name comes from a Sioux word meaning “far from all other dwellings.”
Moonlight Over Makoshika continues to be a critical fundraising event for the club. It helps to fund repairs for the A frame. Since its inception, Moonlight Over Makoshika has raised between $47,000 and $56,000 to support the Lions Camp Complex. Also, the silent auction held on the same evening raises funds for the regular club account to go towards their eyeglasses program, the Dawson County Food Bank, and the Montana Sight and Hearing Foundation.
In order to provide a quality evening, Anderson said planning for the event begins weeks in advance, with a tremendous amount of work going into the preparation of the gourmet meal.
Long-time Lion Hilary Hopfauf said each cook works around 40 hours to prepare the multi-course meal, which includes an array of made-from-scratch soups, salads, entrees and desserts.
“Although it takes some serious effort, it’s really a pleasure to see people enjoy what we cook. We’ve expanded some pallets in this community,” Hopfauf said.
Along with making and serving the food, Anderson said the process of selecting the dishes is also part of the challenge. Two weeks before Moonlight Over Makoshika, the chefs prepared some of the new dishes like the shrimp diane, English sticky toffee pudding and other prospective dessert options.
“We don’t serve anything we haven’t tried, so we make sure to take the time to critique the dishes and make sure they are good. We have been doing this for over two decades and we want to continue providing what we hope is an excellent experience,” Anderson said.
The dishes may change but the tradition of serving the community and sharing fine food will remain the same.
“We love to cook and we love to cook fine food. Moonlight Over Makoshika is a way for the Lions Club to share our passion for service and gourmet food amidst the backdrop of the finest scenery anywhere,” Anderson said.
Reach dan.nolker@gmail.com