Donald Teuma-Castelletti
FORT COULONGE
Feb. 10, 2018
Diners were looking to heat things up by joining their fellow parishioners at a Valentine’s Day-themed meal on Saturday in Fort Coulonge.
Well, heat up the church and keep it warm all year long that is, as the community meal helps St. Peter’s Catholic Church pay their heating bill at it’s fifth iteration.
“It all started because we replaced the furnace and had the expenses for heating,” said Father Réal Ouellette. “What’s better than Valentine’s Day, the feast of love, to pay for the heat?”
With 270 tickets sold, the Knights of Columbus Hall was expected to be packed, as parishioners dined among red and white decorations, from hearts hung on the walls and ceiling to placemats and tables dressed accordingly.

Toiling away in the kitchen, a group of dedicated parishioners prepared the food to everyone’s liking, as the meal gave guests plenty of options for dinner.
Those in attendance could choose between two mains, chicken or filet mignon, with loads of sides, plus dessert. The poultry option was a half chicken, slathered in barbeque sauce while those preferring beef had the luxury of requesting how it was cooked this year, from rare through well-done.
Dessert looked to be a real treat as well, as the meal was followed by homemade strawberry shortcake, helping meet the red and white theme of the evening perfectly.
Ouellette said that those volunteering in the kitchen were rewarded with their meals free of charge that night, for all their work put in. The only catch was that they probably would not get to enjoy it until much later than everyone else.
Not that it really mattered, he continued, as Ouellette expected the party to run through till midnight.