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CHURCH SUPPERS SINCE 1971
The Hillcrest Annual Congregational Turkey Dinner,
a Changing Tradition These congregational dinners, organized by the UCW, have been an institution since Hillcrest's inception. They were also a long tradition at Trinity and Valleyfield before they merged to form Hillcrest. The first and long-time “Boss” aka “General” of the kitchen was Lois MacLeod. Overseeing this annual feat, which sometimes fed up to 600 people, was not for the faint of heart. In fact, it was such a tremendous effort that it took three people to take over the reins after Lois retired her apron! Margaret Campion and Miriam Nicholson took over the kitchen and Lois Matheson organized the troops for serving, clearing and desserts. The intrepid Donald Nicholson sold tickets and guarded the movement of diners from the waiting area in the Sanctuary to the coveted dinner table in the Valleyfield room. A bazaar was set up in the Chapel to distract rumbling stomachs from the delicious aroma of food wafting up from the basement kitchen. The turkey torch next passed into the capable hands of Elizabeth LeLacheur and Margie Tesselaar. They are still at it, with support from the UCW and so many capable and generous volunteers. Although Covid 19 has meant pivoting to take-out, even a world- wide pandemic couldn't stop the beloved Hillcrest Annual Turkey Dinner! Since Covid abated, most fund-raising meals now are take-out; just as tasty but easier to dispurse to hungry people. Instead of gathering in large groups at the church, many families now invite a few friends to their own homes to enjoy the treats made by Hillcrest's dedicated cooks. |
Most photos here are after 2020.
Please use the CONTACT button at the top of this page if you can provide any dating from 1971 to 2020! |