Donald Teuma-Castelletti
THORNE March 9, 2018
A bean dinner with a sure-to-be musical afterparty took over the Thorne community centre on Friday night, as more than 100 people filled the hall for the meal.
The Thorne Community Recreation Association welcomed five cooks with various recipes for beans, plus ham, hot dogs and tons more sides and desserts, for the community dinner on March 9.
Norma Charette, the TCRA’s kitchen manager, said the group was serving up around 20 lbs. of beans, two hams and six dozen hot dogs in order to keep everyone well-stuffed and happy this year.
“[We’ve] only once ran out of meat,” said Charette, looking back on their community meals. “The rest of the time we’ve had ample food.”
The meals are run by the group but see volunteers from the community continuously step up to volunteer their time to prepare various foods. Charette said she was lucky to count on five individuals for their bean-making skills, proving a hit, as always, at their gatherings.

This year’s cooks included Hazel Turcotte, Marlene Pasch, Gail Sharp, Frieda Krose and Andrew Turcotte, all of whom Charette raved about. Judging by the line-up and plates filled at the meal, the community must love their recipes, too.
Charette said she first got involved with the TCRA as their kitchen manager just over five years ago now, keeping track of the years based on how many Christmases she’s helped out with. While she initially started volunteering because she enjoys the act and knows community groups rely on them, she soon fit into the kitchen role through a love of shopping.
“People come to remember you and you get to know your suppliers,” she continued.
TCRA president Gilles Ouimet expected a great turnout for the meal, which is one of two done every year. A bean supper hasn’t been held since February 2017 by the TCRA.
“We had over 160 people at the last bean supper,” said Ouimet. “We should be about the same, but it might be even better.”
Funds raised through the gathering will help the TCRA with regular maintenance and basic bills, though for many, the meal is a great excuse to catch up with friends and what’s happening around town.