Town Hall returns to Wild West for Intermountain fundraiser

By Regina Elling

As an estimated 100 people gathered in Ramona Town Hall on Nov. 16, mass murder and mayhem erupted in the back courtyard of the building. The body count just added to the fun of the fundraising event for the Intermountain Fire and Rescue Department.

The evening’s theme, “Party Like It’s 1899 in the Wild Wild West,” gave guests room to be creative. The majority dressed in western, Victorian or steam punk gear, and the historic Town Hall on Main Street appeared to fall back in time. The decorations and even the food carried out the theme.

The Hole in the Wall Gang from Lakeside provided the courtyard murder play, complete with authentic-sounding gunfire. Dinner, live music, a live auction and a silent auction with a wide array of prizes completed the evening.

“It’s amazing, as always,” said Jeremy Christofferson, chief of Intermountain.

Looking around at the wall-to-wall guests, he continued, “For us, this is why we’re here. This community is what motivates us to get up every day and continue to serve. It’s a pleasure for us to have the support of such wonderful people.”

He also praised the resources and skills of the Hot Spots, the department’s auxiliary that staged the event.

“It’s a blessing to have such dedicated, intelligent and resourceful supports for our department,” said Christofferson. “We wouldn’t be able to exist without their help.”

Intermountain Fire and Rescue, a 100-percent volunteer fire department, is at 25858-A Highway 78 in Ramona. The station covers a 125-mile area bordering Ramona, Julian, Lake Henshaw and Palomar Mountain.