The Bryson Lions Club hosted their annual Seniors Supper on Sunday. The tradition, whereby seniors are invited to attend a free Christmas dinner at the Lions Club hall, has been going on since 1973, with the exception of the last two years. “We couldn’t do it the . . .

last two years because of COVID restrictions,” said Sheila Racine, one of the organizers.

Racine, who was dressed as an elf, has been a Lions Club member for 27 years, and has great fondness for the Seniors’ Supper event. “We do a good job with the food, preparing everything here. Our cake is homemade, and we have a team of great people who are working really hard to put this together.” She then said: “But, it’s really not about the food.”

The seniors who were attending the event are not Lions club members, but local residents coming from their homes in the community. Racine explained: “the seniors here tonight aren’t coming because they are in need of a charity meal, or they just love turkey dinner.”

She continued: “The food is an excuse to get people to come. And of course we want it to be good, but that’s not the reason they’re here.” As she scanned the tables, looking for people to assist, she concluded: “we are bringing people out of their homes, out of their routines, and into the community. Many of our seniors don’t get the chance to socialize very often.”

Looking around the room, there were long tables filled with laughter, holiday spirit and conversation. “We were supposed to get 102 people this year, and I’m not sure exactly how many came, but some people get deterred by weather at the last minute, so we never know — but if we need to, we’ll help people get here, so everyone is included.” The seniors looked to be enjoying themselves, and the turkey dinner was traditional and delicious.

As is customary, there were some raffle drawings and announcements. Of particular interest was an award, given for 55 years of Lions club membership, to Cletus Newberry. “The club is about service to the community,” said Guy Racine, another organizer. “A few of us have been here a long time, but 55 years is really getting up there,” he said.

A visit from Santa Claus topped off the night. From the Lions in attendance, there seemed to be a sense of relief that the December annual tradition had resumed. Two years without a Seniors Supper seemed to be more stressful than the work involved in feeding more than 100 people. Racine was cautiously optimistic about future events: “We are looking forward to resuming our traditions, and we are really hoping things don’t get cancelled by COVID again.”

Cletus Newberry accepts an award for 55 years of service at the annual Seniors’ Supper at the Bryson Lions Club.

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