Turley Publications photos by Ruth M. Lyon

 

Celia Daniels serves up potato salad. In fact, she served 350 portions of the homemade picnic staple.

 

Memorial Day barbeque a sellout

 

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

 

NORTH BROOKFIELD - A few years ago, then-selectman James Foyle wished out loud at a selectmen’s meeting. He could have, and in fact often did, wish for grander things, but this was a lazy summertime wish. He’d seen the Downtown Development Commission bring a midtown eyesore to life, a wishbone breaker if ever there was one. A new police station was in the works. Now, he just wanted a relaxing afternoon with a few hundred friends after the Memorial Day parade.

Lt. Colonel James Foyle was and is the man in charge of Memorial Day observances. With military precision, he plans, organizes and participates in that busy morning’s activities. But then, he announced, there’s not much to do with the remainder of the day. He voiced his wish that one of the churches or some other organization would hold a barbeque or dinner, planned to follow the Memorial Day parade and ceremonies. “I don’t want to ask my wife to hold a party, I don’t want to hold one either. Probably many other people who attend or participate in the parade feel the same way. But we just don’t want to go home and work in the garden or read the paper either. I think a chicken barbeque would be a financial and social success,” he said then. “I hope someone will consider it.”

Members of the Congregational Church, its expansive lawn adjoining and across from the site of traditional Memorial Day ceremonies, immediately responded to the call. Steve Cummings, active in church affairs and an organizer whose talents are well-recognized, assumed command. For the past three years, tickets are sold well in advance for a plate laden with a half-chicken, potato and green salads, assorted extras, beverage and dessert. Tables and chairs are arranged under the trees before the church, and the crowd of friends, neighbors and visitors from neighboring towns gather to enjoy the food, fellowship and music. They have learned to purchase their tickets early; this year, all 350 tickets had sold shortly after the noon-time opening. Additionally, a silent auction of donated goods took place inside the church.

Cummings, busily serving half-chickens to a long line of customers, said the dinners are a success socially as well as financially. “People seem to enjoy the good cheer, the family and neighborly atmosphere. And then, there’s the food. The salads are homemade, and so are the desserts. And we’re always grateful for a day like this,” as he gestured toward the sun and puffy clouds in a perfect blue sky.