Noel dinner warms hearts

The eighth annual Noel Christmas Dinner for those without family was the largest group ever, with 76 people eating dinner. Many of these people volunteer their time and talents, too, according to dinner organizer Rita Hill.

The Knights of Columbus set up the tables on Saturday morning, Dec. 23, and the decorating crew came that afternoon. The kitchen prep volunteers prepared food on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

"This year's dinner almost didn't happen as the chef for the past three years, Damon Wolf, was not able to get off work to do it this year," said Hill. "I had been through cancer treatment from March through November and didn't feel I could handle the stress of cooking and planning."

After St. Gall's pastor, Father Paul McCollum, announced that the dinner might not take place, two people came forward to help. Jeanne Whited volunteered to be the chef and Sean Duggan offered to help coordinate. He took on the job of calling all of last year's attendees. The rest was history once the word got out.

Guests arrived at 1 p.m. and socialized. All appeared surprised when a special Santa, James Casler, from San Marcos, Calif., showed up to pass out candy canes, honking the horn on his walker to let people know he had arrived.

"Santa was the highlight of the day making everyone feel merry and visiting each guest in the room," said Hill.

A traditional dinner of turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, scalloped corn, sweet potato casserole and green salad, and rolls was served buffet style around 2 p.m. with a gift exchange and dessert following. More people arrived to help with the clean up and taking down the tables and chairs. Others swept and mopped floors and washed dishes in the kitchen.

The thank-you notes received by Hill have expressed appreciation such as, "I was also impressed with all the giving and love around me," "All your helpers made us and our friends feel welcome," "The dinner was absolutely wonderful - December is especially difficult for me as my husband of 57 years passed away Dec. 28" and "Everything was done so beautifully and everyone made all feel so special."