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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-10-02, Page 17Several decades in the making,boasting over 1,000 full belliesannually, the Belgrave fowl supper isset to go again this year on Oct. 8. It has been a long road for the supper, but it hasn’t necessarily been a winding one says Murray Scott, co-chair of the supper’s committee. There have been minor changes, but overall, things have pretty much stayed the same, he says. Since 1949, the supper has been an event the entire community rallies around. In the 1940s, an estimated 75 per cent of the Belgrave arena was built by volunteers. The community had raised just under $20,000 and collected throughout the summer of 1949 to chip away and eventually erected a new arena for the town. Two village landowners donated the land for the arena as well as a nearby ball park. That fall, the first fowl supper was held, with nearly 1,000 people crowding onto the arena floor to partake in the dinner. “The arena was made largely by volunteers and from donated materials. So the thought at the time was that they needed a way to support the place and that’s how the idea for the supper came about,” said Scott. “Back then the meal was largely donated and the meal cost maybe $1.50 or $2 for a plate.” In the early days of the supper, Scott says, there was entertainment, whether it be local politicians, or musicians who all donated their time to the supper. “In those days, you had the meal and there was a little bit of a program afterwards where all of the local politicians sang their song and you had some entertainment,” he said. “There used to be a stage where the hall is currently that used to be open to the arena floor. So people would get up on the stage and play their bagpipes and sing. There was certainly a good amount of donated local entertainment in those days.” The entertainment portion of the program was chopped from the supper in the 1950s, Scott says. Now, as the joke goes, dinner is served at 7 p.m. and the arena is often empty by 7:45 p.m. It is always a sight to behold as the food is all gathered in and everyone is seated at exactly 7 p.m. Grace is said by a local minister and all 1,000 guests are all served food at the same time. Scott says whenever he speaks with someone who is attended for the first time, they are always astounded with the precision with which the meal is served and then eaten. The preparation, however, is not asinvolved as the execution of the mealwould suggest, Scott says.It always amazes me that it hashappened so often and that it’salways the same people involved andit’s all sort of automatic,” he said.“There is very little planning done. People just know what to do, because they did it last year.” Committee chairman Kevin Pletch agrees. Pletch says he oversees everything from ordering the chairs to ensuring that all of the food will be cooked and on-time for the evening’s dinner, which can be quite a task when talking about approximately 1,000 pounds of turkey and all of the potatoes and sides to go with it. “Pretty much everyone typically know what they have to do and they do it,” Pletch said. “It always tends to fall into place.” It’s a good thing that it does, as the event typically generates between $7,000 and $8,000 for the arena every year. This is especially important in Belgrave’s case, as it is still run by a board comprised completely of volunteers and is the main fundraiser for the arena throughout the year. The volunteer board takes a large step to preserving the arena’s roots in the past, ensuring that one of the only natural ice surfaces in the area will survive for another year. Pletch has been involved with the supper for nearly 25 years, but has been attending since he was a kid. He is able to remember the early days of the supper, as well as the entertainment program it boasted nearly 50 years ago. Scott has been involved with the committee through the arena board for just under 15 years. However, he has been attending since the supper began. Both men have a good idea of the aspects of the supper that have changed over the years. For the most part, they agree, the food has stayed the same. However, Scott says, in the early days, turkeys were prepared at people’s homes, while they are all cooked together at the former McIntyre’s Bakery in Wingham now, as they have been for years. “I suspect in the old days, all the turkeys would have been cooked individually and brought in for the supper,” Scott said. “At one time, everyone brought their own cutlery too.” “Pies were always a big issue at the supper,” he said. “In the beginning, the ladies were more or less competing to see who could bake the best pie and you would always check the tables out to see whether or not your favourite pie was there,” he said. “I’m not saying that doesn’t happen now, but it has changed a little, and that’s natural.” While food security issues have played a large part in the news as of late and in years past, Scott insists that none of these issues have ever hit home with the Belgrave supper. They’ve made changes when they’ve needed to, but everything has always gone smoothly in that regard, he says. “Every year someone always gets panicky and says this is going to be our last supper because the health board is going to shut us down, but as far as I know, that has never been indicated,” he said. “It’s a concern, but it’s never been a big issue with us.” While Pletch and Scott find going to the supper automatic, some in the community have never gone. Scott says it’s the tradition that keeps him, and many members of the community coming back every year. “It’s one of those community events that you automatically know is coming up and you’re asked to take food, and you still buy your ticket. It’s a major money-maker for the arena and one of it’s biggest supporters.” Scott says questions arose around the dinner when the municipalities amalgamated. Some citizens were concerned that dollars raised in Belgrave would go to Wingham to fund the community centre there. To date, however, Scott says this is not the case. “The money raised by the supper stays goes straight to the arena and as far as I’m concerned, it always will,” he said. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2008. PAGE 17. Belgrave prepares for 60th fowl supper Service with a smile Like a well-oiled machine, the community of Belgrave each fall prepares and serves a sit-down turkey dinner to 1,000 people. The event is a fundraiser that has supported the arena and recreation programs since 1949. (Citizen file photo) Mile high pies Stacks of desserts offer a wonderful variety to end the meal at the annual fowl supper each year. (Citizen file photo) By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen Ladies in waiting Many hands make, well, if not light, then at least organized work at the annual fowl supper. Co-ordinators said that after all these years the event runs like clockwork with those involved knowing their roles. (Citizen file photo) Give us a call 519-887-9061 Fax 519-887-8734 Cell Phone 519-357-6547 R.R. 2 Bluevale John CONSTRUCTION LTD. • Licensed Septic Installations • Screened & Field Topsoil • Bark Mulch • Sand • Gravel • Fill • Backhoeing • Bulldozing • Excavating• Loading & Hauling DENNIS VALENTA YOUR INDEPENDENT CHOICE If you like the way the OLD BOY’S CLUB runs things in Ottawa, then you should be voting for someone else. However, if you would like to have a voice, you will need to be voting for ME, simply because I am NOT tied to the PARTY ! Especially if you would like to see JUSTICE in the DIVORCE process, for the sake of your children and your wallet. Apparently, the PARTY PERSON does not have the stomach, to deal with this!! Thank you, and may God bless as you make your choice.