​About 100 seniors enjoy annual Tiverton Lions Christmas dinner

Despite the snowy, blustery weather, about 100 seniors turned out for the 44th annual Christmas dinner, hosted by the Tiverton Lions Club, Friday night, at the Whitney Crawford Community Centre in Tiverton.

Steve Deer of Kincardine provided entertainment while people gathered and throughout the evening.

MC Hank Van Moorsel welcomed everyone, and noted that as of the 2024 event, the Lions had cooked 140 turkeys, two tons of potatoes and turnips, and served 5,600 dinners.

“It’s our way of giving back to you for all that you have done for the community,” he said.

Rev. Rick Warne said grace, and the volunteer servers made sure everyone's plate was full of turkey dinner, with all the fixings.

Besides the seniors, about 20 Lions members and volunteers also enjoyed the dinner.

Following the meal, Van Moorsel thanked Lion Edna McTeer for organizing the event, as well as all the Lions members and volunteers who helped out.

He said the Grade 1 students at Kincardine Township-Tiverton Public School had filled out placemats and coloured them, indicating what they think a senior is. One student said, “They’re kids, but wrinkly.” When asked what seniors do, one student said, “They feed the birds and nap in chairs.”

When asked what seniors like to eat, one student said, “Soup, because it keeps them warm.” Another said, “Jello, because it’s soft and squishy.”

And finally, when asked how old a senior is, the response was 700 years old; 1000000000000 years old, and “older than my Dad.”

As the event wound down, Van Moorsel said anyone with a sticker on the back of his/her chair, could take home one of the poinsettias which were the table centrepieces.