Toy Towners Flock to Winchendon Lions Turkey Dinner

From left, Lion Curt Fitzmaurice, Lion Dave Walsh, Bob DeFeo, Lions Vicki and Ken LaBrack serve up plates
Photo by Tracey Barrows

Thanksgiving in March!
Photo by Tracey Barrows


 

by Inanna Arthen
The Winchendon Lions Club served more than 85 enthusiastic diners at their Turkey Dinner on Saturday, March 2 at Immaculate Heart of Mary church, in the parish hall. Thanks to generous donations of funding and food by local business Horse & Buggy Feeds and the Winchendon Community Action Committee, dinner was free to all.

Winchendon Lions Secretary Joni LaPlante told the Courier that at least three people worked in the kitchen the night before roasting the turkeys ahead of time. It took about six turkeys to make enough for the full dinner. The following day at least 18 volunteers pitched in to prepare all the food and serve it. Many of the volunteers were Lions Club members but other folks stepped up to volunteer, as well.

Promotion for the dinner was done primarily through Facebook and by word of mouth, Ms. LaPlante said. The Courier had also placed the dinner in the Community Calendar.

Ms. LaPlante wanted to give special thanks to Walter and Mary Anair of Horse & Buggy Feeds, who donated both the turkeys and funding for cash expenses. Thanks also go to Miranda Jennings, Director of the Winchendon CAC, and the CAC staff and volunteers for their donations of vegetables and other food.

Some diners made a voluntary cash donation for their dinner, and all donations were given to the church to help cover their costs in electricity, heat and other expenses of hosting the event.

Lions International sponsors many service projects. Their "Sight Mobile" provides free testing for eye health and vision problems, and the Lions have a donation program for used eyeglasses that can be refurbished and provided to those in need. The Winchendon Lions helped bring in several providers at the last health fair at the Old Murdock Senior Center, including the Sight Mobile, Miracle-Ear, the Talking Library, blood pressure tests by the Winchendon Fire Department and diabetes testing.

The Winchendon Lions Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Winchendon American Legion Post 193, 295 School Street, downstairs hall at 7:00 p.m. They welcome all interested persons who would like to learn more or become members. More more information, contact Joni LaPlante at 978-297-2753. The Lions' motto is, "Where there's a need, there's a Lion."

Front row, from left: Mary and Walter Anair, owners of Horse & Buggy Feeds,; Joni LaPlante, President of Winchendon Lions
Back row, from left: Winchendon Lions officers Dave Walsh, Mark Desmarais, and Curt Fitzmaurice

The Winchendon Lions Club would like to thank Walter and Mary Anair from the Winchendon Horse & Buggy Feeds for their donation to our club, which in turn will help toward Christmas gifts to families in our community. Happy Holidays from the Winchendon Lions and the Horse & Buggy Feeds.

 

Winchendon Lions Club Inducts New Members

At the Winchendon Lions Club's September meeting, we had two inductions of new members, and one installation for Zone Chair.

Feel free to come and join us at one of our meetings. Have fun while making a difference in your town! Membership is open to anyone over 18 years of age. Meetings are held downstairs in the back room at the Winchendon American Legion Post 193, 295 School Street, on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., from September through

Craig Ashmore receiving his pin from his sponsor Mark Desmarais.
Photo courtesy of Joni LaPlante