The Citizen, 1998-09-30, Page 7
The news from
elgrave
Compiled by Linda Campbell Phone 357-2188
Moms get acquainted
Welcomes
NEW MEAT MANAGER
Chicken Legs
Backs Attached
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1998. PAGE 7.
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
Through 50 years and dozens of
stories, the Belgrave annual turkey
supper continues to be a hugely
popular fundraiser for a community
facility.
Since 1949, when the arena was
constructed at a cost of $19,000,
approximately 1,000 people have
gathered each October to raise
monies to help maintain the build-
ing and support local sports teams.
Tory Gregg of Wingham was the
master of ceremonies at the inaugu-
ral supper, held in celebration of
the opening.
George Cook was presented with
the keys to the arena to signify his
contribution to the facility as chair
of the building committee.
For a few years in the beginning,
a concert was held after the supper,
with local talent supplying the
entertainment. However, organizers
soon realized that the confusion
and noise created by clean-up did
not provide for the best listening
conditions, so the concerts ended.
It was the food though that has
kept people coming back for 50
years, with some area residents
having attended each supper.
Started in 1949 and continuing
today, the community bakes and
cooks much of the food for patrons.
Dozens of volunteers from Bel-
grave, East Wawanosh and Morris
Twps. are asked to contribute, pies,
potatoes and vegetables while the
numerous turkeys are cooked at a
Wingham business.
Since the early days, the 48 to 55
turkeys have been stuffed by volun-
teers then taken to McIntyre's Bak-
ery. The meat is then returned to
Belgrave arena where a team of
carvers goes to work.
Carving numerous turkeys appar-
Area
woman
marks
90th
Saturday, Sept. 12 was a special
day for Olive Bolt, Belgrave. She
spent the major part of the day with
her cousin and neighbouring
friends. In the evening she
celebrated her 90th birthday at the
home of her grandson, Calvin and
his wife Sandra Nixon.
A smorgasbord supper was
enjoyed by her grandchildren,
great-grandchildren and close
friends. All appreciated the period
of love and fellowship together.
Marion Calder of Scarborough
spent a few days at the home of
Betty Irwin.
Ron and Lynda Nicholson of
Barrie and Miss Norma Thompson
and Mrs. Hilda Power of
Georgetown visited lark week with
Garner and Alice Nicholson.
Thelma Pletch of Belgrave,
Audrey MacKay of Wingham and
Ruth Cantelon of Tweed visited
with their sister, Lois Hill at De
Grassi Cove on Lake Simcoe.
Jean Kennedy recently returned
after a month's motor trip to the
Eastern provinces. Along the way
she enjoyed beautiful scenery in
Nova Scotia, along the Cabot Trail,
New Brunswick, Newfoundland
and Red Bay in Labrador.
ently didn't sit so well with one
carver, says Lorne Campbell, co-
chair of the organizing committee.
After cutting up so many birds, one
man couldn't stand the sight of
turkey any more and went into
town for pizza instead.
The huge quantity of gravy
required is cooked at Belgrave WI
Hall and brought over just before
the 7 p.m. meal.
For many years, residents also
supplied dishes, cups, glasses
bowls and cutlery for the crowd.
"People used to carry wash tubs
full of china to the dinner," said
Campbell, smiling as he remembers
the half-hearted complaints about
the weight and having to do dishes
until 1 a.m.
With dozens of people supplying
silverware in the past, there was
bound to be a few pieces go miss-
ing. However, Campbell recalls a
tale of one woman who had
brought a setting for 12 and could
not find one piece before heading
home. Miraculously, it all returned
the following year.
Today, the community centre
purchases good quality paper
plates, plastic cups and cutlery.
With 1,000 people filling the
arena floor, choosing the perfect
seat was once an important factor
in arrival time. Campbell recalls
that during a year when the roof
needed repair, patrons would arrive
early to find a seat which was not
under a drip.
The tremendous success and
longevity of the turkey supper is
also due in large part to the hun-
dreds of volunteers who give their
time each-year to make the event
what it is.
Campbell estimates there are at
least 180 people helping serve and
clear dishes thenight of the supper
as organizers try to have 10 people
Mabel's Moms met at their
regular time on Wednesday, Sept.
23 for their first meeting this
season.
Those who attended were: Cindy
McKee and Drew; Mary Jane
for each of the 18 tables. This num-
ber does not necessarily include
those who carve the turkeys, cook
all the food, sell tickets, work the
door or plan the advertising.
"We don't usually ask people to
volunteer in more than one area,"
says Campbell.
Over its 50-year history, the
turkey supper has helped maintain
the arena as well as providing
equipment for local baseball and
hockey teams.
From the first, the arena has been
filled to capacity with friends and
neighbours enjoying great music
and sumptuous food.
'The upkeep of the community
centre had also been aided by
dances, parties, rentals and sports
activities held throughout the year.
Provincial grants and donations
from Morris and East Wawanosh
Twps. contribute to the mainte-
nance.
Fourteen years after the original
building was erected, construction
had to begin again as heavy snow-
fall in 1963 buckled the roof.
A new larger arena was built
with a strong framework, at a cost
of $17,500. The roof was rein-
forced in 1976 with a new roof
installed in 1986.
In 1991, the Belgrave Kinsmen
and Seniors clubs undertook a pro-
ject to add a conference room,
kitchen, washrooms and dressing
rooms to the arena, to provide mod-
ern conveniences for users.
The Belgrave arena is one of the
few natural ice rinks for hockey in
the province.
The community centre is the site
of the annual school fair.
Old friends and new neighbours
are invited to join in the annual cel-
ebration of community spirit by
attending the turkey supper, Oct. 7
at 7 p.m.
Hobden and Stephen; Kim Higgins,
Laura, Jarrod and Ashley; Connie
Shiell, Andrea and Lindsay; Karen
Rundle and Holly; Lila Procter and
Jessica.
Their topic was "Getting
Acquainted".
Naming the mascot
The large white turkey was finally named by crowd
consensus, Saturday night as those attending the 50th
anniversary concert in Belgrave had an opportunity to
vote on his name. The eventual winner was Gordie the
Golden Gobbler. Murray Scott emceed the event.
Derrick has many years experience cutting meat at
retail outlets, and so is very capable of looking after
your family or catering group's meat needs.
Come and say Hi.
DERRICK HAS THESE EXTRA
MEAT SPECIALS THIS WEEK
Cut From Can. Grade "A" Beef
TOP SIRLOIN STEAK
OR ROAST -
BONELESS EYE OF
ROUND ROAST
299
LB.
Supper truly a community event
Past performers
Earl and Martha Heywood returned to entertain the crowd
at the Belgrave 50th anniversary cbncert, Sept 26, in
celebration of the annual turkey supper. The Heywoods
performed at the concerts in the early days.
Fiedler's