Fall supper season gets cooking in Westman

In many kitchens across Westman — including community halls and homes — there are mounds of potatoes waiting to be peeled, turkeys that will have to be stuffed and gravy boats lined up for the annual fall supper season that’s about to begin.

Three community meals are planned for Sunday — in St. Lazare, Erickson and Wawanesa, where a small army has already been assembled for duty, said organizer Dennis Gullett.

“We do about 14 turkeys, 10 briskets, 10 pulled pork, 50 or 60 pounds of meatballs and I think about 15 pounds of potatoes,” said Gullet, who is chief of the Wawanesa and District Volunteer Fire Department.

“Last year we probably had 550 people, so we’re hoping for more this year,” he said.

“We have farmers who book takeouts for those working in the field, and we deliver to some of our seniors who aren’t able to get to the hall.

“So, that’s why it takes a small army,” he said.

This is the second year in a row that the fire department has taken the lead on organizing the fall supper, reviving it after the COVID-19 pandemic shut it down.

The money raised goes to the department’s equipment fund to supply pants, coats and breathing apparatus for its 32 members.

“It’s a win-win to get the community together and is a real good fundraiser for us,” Gullet said.

“And the guys like it. About three hours into dishwashing, some of the young guys go ‘what are we doing,’ but it’s OK, they figure it out,” he said as he laughed.

Doors open at the Wawanesa Centennial Hall at 4:30 p.m. Adults pay $20 and seniors $15. The cost for those aged six to 15 is $10, and the supper is free for children five and younger.

About 208 kilometres northwest of Wawanesa is St. Lazare. Volunteers there are preparing to host 250 people at their fall supper at the community hall on Sunday. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., said Anita Haney.

“We’ve got seven turkeys, four hams, mashed potatoes, corn, carrots, pies — apple and pumpkin so far — and squares. And then people made meatballs and perogies,” Haney said.

“Last week about six of us made homemade stuffing. We do it in rolls and we freeze it, and then bake it the day of. And oh my gosh, the building smelled so good when we were frying onions and adding the poultry seasoning.

“Am I making you hungry?” Haney said as she laughed. “You’ll have to come and have a meal.”

She added: “A lot of farmers will come and buy meals, but they’ll take them out to the field to the guys who are working, because they don’t stop for anything.”

The St. Lazare Ladies Auxiliary decides where money raised will go. A pet project is to place it in a scholarship fund. Any Grade 12 student who helps within the community can apply.

“It’s not much, it might be a couple hundred dollars depending on how much money’s in kitty at the time. But you do what you can in the community, that’s what it’s for,” Haney said.

The cost for the St. Lazare fall supper is $20 for those 11 years of age and older, $10 for four to 10, and it’s free for children under three.

Sunday’s annual fall supper in Erickson is being held in the curling club at the Erickson Recreation Centre, with 300 people expected, said Josie Sallows, one of the organizers.

The doors open at 4:30 p.m.

“Ours is a roast beef supper with lots of potatoes, veggies and macaroni salad that we make,” Sallows said.

“Our core committee of 12 has been organizing behind the scenes for months,” she said.

“We also have a full volunteer crew of curlers and other town people, so we probably have close to 40 people to help the day before and the night of. We have some long days ahead of us, but it’s a lot of fun and is worth it.”

Funds raised at the supper in Erickson will help pay for general maintenance and upkeep of the recreation centre.

Tickets are $25 for those 13 and older, $15 for seniors, $10 for ages six to 15 and free for children five and under.

Once October rolls around, there are three fall suppers in the north, south and western parts of the region.

Ninette’s event is scheduled for Oct. 5 at the Manhattan Beach Retreat Centre from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 has been set aside for Polonia’s fall supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

In Killarney, the United Church at 432 Williams Ave. is the location for the supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Come early and come hungry is the advice from Janice McCracken, one of the organizers of Polonia’s fall supper, who said they’re planning turkey with all the trimmings and are expecting more than 300 people.

“Everything is homemade, even our cranberry sauce, and of course our perogies, cabbage rolls, sauerkraut and kubasa,” McCracken said.

All the money raised will help pay the bills at the community hall to cover the cost of hydro bills, repairs and insurance. A provincial grant that the organizing committee applied for didn’t come through.

Events like the fall supper can go a long way in keeping the community thriving, McCracken said.

“My mom, I and a lot of people on our committee grew up in Polonia,” she said.

“And it would not be Polonia if we didn’t have some type of supper to keep everybody coming back. We love to see our local people and others who haven’t been here before.

“So, to get their support for our community is always really, really great.”

Meanwhile, a fall supper is scheduled for Saturday at Redeemer St. George’s Church in Brandon at 114 Ashgrove Blvd. from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for youths and free for children six and younger.

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