Christmas is a time for giving and sharing and enjoying delicious food, fellowship and laughter.
All of the above happened at the 2019 Christmas Day dinner held at the Rimbey Drop-In Centre where 135 guests sat down to enjoy a lovely meal and six meals on wheels were delivered to shut ins.
One of the organizers, Christine Fernie said the main goals of the dinner was to ensure everyone had a hot meal with all the fixings, were given a small gift to unwrap and the provided with the opportunity to share some Christmas cheer.
And thanks to lots of teamwork and behind the scenes preparations all of the above happened.
Of coure, it did not go off without a few hiccups.
When one of the roasters did not work the turkey was put into the oven.
“It always works out,” said Gayle Rondeel with a laugh.
Rondeel ran the kitchen and managed to stay calm despite the constant chaos.
She arrived early to set up the meat in roasters all over the building.
Volunteers arrived at 10 a.m. and everyone worked hard to prepare six turkeys, five hams and enough fixings to fill tables with food. There were also two tables laden with delicious deserts.
At 2 p.m. sharp, Rondeel announced that dinner is ready.
There were few leftovers remaining this year, but what food was left, was packaged for the guests to take home.
While the kitchen crew were hard at work creating a delicious meal, Christine Fernie and her team of young volunteers organized the dining room.
“It did not take long for the music, laughter and chatter to fill the big room,” Fernie said, adding that those were the sounds of success.
She also noted that Dave Davis was invaluable in helping to gather gifts, organize gift wrapping and create an orderly flow for gift giving.
Davis also shared his poem, ‘The Magic Key’ which Fernie says will become a Christmas Day dinner tradition.
The Christmas dinner would not be possible without the generosity of individuals and businesses in Rimbey.
People also gave the gift of time and music. Gary on guitar, Kathy Geigle on keyboard and Bill Turner on the fiddle led the group in Christmas carols and had the crowd ‘Rockin Around the Christmas Tree.’
“The generosity and coming together of the businesses and individuals in this community is very heartwarming,” said Fernie.
And already plans for the first of the Roaring ’20s Christmas Day Dinner are underway.
Contact Gayle at (4030 704-4001 or by email at gaylerondeel@gmail.com or Christine at (902)309-9420 or by email at cfernie.ca@gmail.com to join the organizing team.
