This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
01/15/2018 11:00 PMThe Deep River-Chester Lions Club is once again hosting its annual Senior Appreciation Dinner, offering live music, raffles, and a full dinner spread for area seniors. As always, the price reflects the “appreciation” part of the title: It’s free.
David Thorpe, a 25-year member of the Lions, and his wife, Rita, are in charge of planning the event.
“The senior dinner has been going on for years and years,” said Rita Thorpe. “David and I have been doing it for 10 or 12 years and it’s for any senior in Chester or Deep River. It’s free, everything is free.”
The evening starts at 6 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s Church Parish Hall in Chester. The food is prepared entirely by Lions Club members and is funded from the sale of Christmas trees that the club puts on throughout the month of December.
“We have the turkey, the stuffing, potatoes, and some kind of vegetable,” said David Thorpe. “And we have a gentleman that makes turkey soup, so there’s going to be turkey soup also. And of course there’s some kind of dessert.”
The Lions also receive help from girl scouts who make the centerpieces for the dinner and also help to serve the food.
“Also we have music, Roger Goodnow and Friends will be there for the music,” said Rita Thorpe.
In addition to the music and food, Thorpe said that each attendee will be given a raffle ticket at the door—they don’t sell the tickets, but everyone gets one. David Thorpe said that there are multiple raffles each year. He estimated that there are usually somewhere between 25 and 30 different prizes for attendees to win.
“There is always all kinds of stuff,” said David Thorpe. “Members bring all kinds of different things, so you never know what there’s going to be, all kinds of variety.”
The Deep River-Chester Lions Club has run the event for the last 38 years in an effort to show appreciation for the senior citizens of Deep River and Chester.
“Well, it was something that the club wanted to give back to the residents, especially the seniors, and it was at a time of the year when everything was cold and snowy and it was a good thing,” said Rita Thorpe.
The event is a large affair. It’s a walk-in style event and there is no need for pre-registration. Attendance varies each year—the Lions Club never knows exactly how many people to expect for dinner.
“Well, in good times we’ve gotten 150, in bad times we’ve gotten just over 100—you know, if the weather is bad or if its extremely cold...that type of thing,” said Rita Thorpe.
“The best part I would imagine [is] just the meal itself,” said David Thorpe. “We always have a good time, people are very appreciative.”
Deep River-Chester Lions Club Senior Appreciation Dinner is on Saturday, Jan. 20 starting at 6 p.m. at Saint Joseph’s Parish Center, 48 Middlesex Avenue, Chester.