“It went very well,” Dougall stated. “We had an excellent turnout, great meal and everyone had a great time.”
The seniors’ Christmas dinner has long been a tradition in Boissevain, with the Lions Club handling it for many years. Dougall said he remembered helping with them when he was a Lion, when they were held in the basement of the Community Centre. He said it has been about three years the Senior Services has been doing the heavy lifting for the meal, and they feel it is important to keep it going.
This year, Lyle Baldwin from Killarney performed for the crowd, which Dougall credits with keeping people around a little longer. There were draws for door prizes, which were provided by board members so as not to overburden the local business community. He said they too went over very well.
Although the name of the organization mentions seniors, Dougall said the dinner is for everyone, and all ages came.
“The thing is, we can’t change the name, but we are more about ‘service to the community’,” he explained. “We’re trying to call it a community supper to allow people to get together at this certain time of the year. At this time of the year, there is not much you can do to get together. This is for those only two days old to 102 years.”
He added it was similar with their congregate meal program they hold three noon hours a week. It is not strictly for seniors, and many people are ordering the take-out lunches regardless of age.
Dougall said the community supper works for many reasons, due to the work of many people. Cindy Pugh, their congregate meal chef, is the main mover and shaker in the kitchen for the dinner. He said he gave credit to the Boissevain-Morton staff for cleaning out the parking lot from the snow last year, which really made it work for those driving to the event. As well, over the last three years, high school students from Boissevain School have been coming to help with serving, giving a hand to anyone with mobility issues, and coming around with tea and coffee.
They also helped haul what they needed for the meal from Jubilee Manor to the Legion.
“That’s amazing and the kids really like it. To me that’s a big thing, to get the young people involved, to show them what volunteering is about.”
There are a couple of aspects of the event that will hold over for a while. For one, Senior Services received a special gift. Guilty Quilters donated around 20 centre mats for the tables, which they can use for other events. This was greatly appreciated. As well, as Western Archrib held their Christmas dinner just before the Seniors Services one, they collaborated in decorating and that will stay up, ready for any use during the Yuletide season.
Dougall said they have a strong volunteer base, and should be good to continue the dinner into the future.
“Our feeling is this is important,” he said. “We had lots of compliments. The turnout was great, with lots of younger people coming, not just seniors. We get the feeling it is appreciated, that we still provide a service.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff