Club continues tradition for citizens
- Details
- Published on Sunday, December 25, 2016
By Sheila Runions
Banner Staff
It was 38 years ago that Rivers and Area Lions Club held its first senior citizens’ Christmas supper. It quickly outgrew Rivers Ukrainian Hall and by year three, was hosted in Rivers Legion Hall. While attendance numbers throughout those years wax and wane, the tradition of the supper in the Legion remains. This year on Dec. 10 136 people were seated at tables and 21 enjoyed take-out meals delivered by Lions members, as did 38 patients and staff at Riverdale Health Centre. Following the feast, the 16-member Lions Club, a few spouses and the seven Grade 12 students who assisted in serving, also each consumed the meal for a grand total of 223; in earlier years that many were seated in the hall alone.
The tradition by Town of Rivers council was upheld by Riverdale Municipality; they purchased two slabs of fruit cake. The slabs are slivered and served as dessert, a la mode. The meal itself is also a repeat menu: turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, turnips, coleslaw, cranberries. Each bowl or plate of food is served to the guests, who quickly empty some dishes to send students or Lions back to the kitchen for refills.
Before supper emcee Ian Dyer “acknowledged the profound loss of Wally Hillier, a long-time and extremely dedicated member.” Wally lived in Rivers from 1976-2012; after he moved to Portage la Prairie in 2012, he and wife Pat continued to travel to Rivers each December to assist at this supper. Wally passed away Oct. 31 but Pat made the solo trip to Rivers this year so the tradition of a Hillier at all 38 senior suppers was continued. Ian also recognized Ross and Chic Lindberg who have worked at all suppers as well. Ross missed one year because he was storm-stayed in Medicine Hat, Alta. during his truck-driving days for Edson Industries.
Greetings were brought by Riverdale Municipality, Rivers Ministerial Association (which then asked a blessing on the meal, its workers and the host organization) and O Canada was sung (accompanied on piano by Jean Young).
When the seniors were “fed up,” $250 presentations were made to Rolling Dale Enterprises (for creating all the table centrepieces), Rivers Safe Grad (because students helped serve in the hall and kitchen) and Rivers Handi-transit (which offers free return-trip rides). An assortment of presents were provided to lucky winners whose number on the program (given at the door by the Lindbergs) matched that drawn from a pail. Denis Rondeau won the $100 50/50 draw; he gave 60 per cent back to the hosts. Dylan Woodcock and Brittany MacDonald planned four vocal duets to soundtracks but sang two more as Santa was giving each person a box of cookies. This annual event is possible through much sponsorship; the program listed 59 names as contributors to this Christmas cause.
