Veterans, newcomers at Christmas dinner

People were coming in at a pretty good clip Wednesday to the annual Community Christmas Dinner at the Eagles Club.

People lined up so Scott Froehlich could serve them turkey while Dennis Keller served up mashed potatoes.

Keller was a veteran at volunteering for the annual event — Froehlich was a first-timer.

“I just wanted to help out the community,” Froehlich said. “This is a great thing.”

About 50 people volunteered so hundreds of people could enjoy the dinner, said Tom Farnham, manager of the Eagles Club, which coordinated the effort for the first time.

“This is a great community,” said Farnham as he directed activities in the volunteer-packed kitchen. “We have lots of sponsors, lots of volunteers.

“It’s not just the Eagles putting this together. The entire community is putting this on.”

More than 270 meals had already been delivered to people around the community, he said.

In the crowded dining room, community leaders sat side-by-side with people who couldn’t afford a Christmas dinner otherwise. That’s the idea of the dinner, which dates back 30 years.

“I love this dinner,” said Betty Haldemann, wearing a Santa cap to help celebrate the holiday as she dined on the turkey meal.

She said she has been coming to the dinner for many years, and enjoys it because people from all walks of life are there.

“Someday I’ll come to this because I’m poor,” she said. “But I’m here today anyway,” she said, laughing.

Dennis Berry was with his wife, Mary Berry, and mother-in-law, Blanche Davis. To celebrate the holiday, he came dressed as a cowboy.

A first-timer, he said he was pleasantly surprised by the festive mood.

“This is a very special time,” he said. “It’s very nice.”

In the kitchen, there was hustle-bustle as the volunteers prepared the food.

Some had the task down pat.

Jim Ray has been driving in from Big Sandy every Christmas for 15 to 20 years to help get the food ready for the patrons.

“I go back to the Bob Sivertsen days,” he said. Sivertsen sponsored the event for 20 years.

Now, Jim’s son, Duane, lives in Bozeman, but returns to Big Sandy for the holidays.

He gets up with his father every Christmas Day for the long drive to Havre.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” said Jim Ray.