Community Christmas dinner draws over 120
These Community Christmas Dinner servers shared their love for the community by serving a delicious meal Dec. 25 at the American Legion Hall in Boothbay. Pictured: front, Ezra Bates; second row: from right, Evenine Paultre, Jamie House, Bob Pascal, Jan Morton, Karis Louis, and Frances Louis; back row: from right, Big Al Cohen and Richardo Louis. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Chef Richardsky Adoux, left, had a plenty of help in the American Legion Hall kitchen Dec. 25 preparing the annual community dinner. Also pictured from right are Arthur Richardson, Karl Joseph and Stan Lewis. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Phil Chapman and his granddaughter Laura Chapman were among two dozen volunteers at the Community Christmas Dinner at the Boothbay American Legion Hall. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
These Community Christmas Dinner servers shared their love for the community by serving a delicious meal Dec. 25 at the American Legion Hall in Boothbay. Pictured: front, Ezra Bates; second row: from right, Evenine Paultre, Jamie House, Bob Pascal, Jan Morton, Karis Louis, and Frances Louis; back row: from right, Big Al Cohen and Richardo Louis. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Chef Richardsky Adoux, left, had a plenty of help in the American Legion Hall kitchen Dec. 25 preparing the annual community dinner. Also pictured from right are Arthur Richardson, Karl Joseph and Stan Lewis. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Phil Chapman and his granddaughter Laura Chapman were among two dozen volunteers at the Community Christmas Dinner at the Boothbay American Legion Hall. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
A Christmas Day tradition returned to the Boothbay region as over two dozen volunteers served a free feast to about 120 community members. On Dec. 25, organizers describe this year’s turnout as one of the largest ever as community members dined on turkey, ham, pork, mashed potatoes, stuffing and several other traditional holiday meal offerings.
The annual Christmas Day Community Dinner dates back to when the local Catholic church hosted the meal in Boothbay Harbor. Several years ago, the tradition was in danger of ending for lack of volunteers. But Barbara House and several other volunteers stepped in to continue the community dinner now held at the Boothbay American Legion Hall. This year, House was joined by volunteers who either prepared or served the meal.
For House and the other volunteers, serving a community meal is what the holiday is all about. “ We started getting involved in 2015. We didn’t want to see it end so we all decided to keep the tradition going,” she said.
House wasn’t able to participate last year due to a family illness, but she returned to work with a large number of new and returning volunteers. This year, the biggest challenge was the nearly complete turnover of work crew. “I didn’t do it last year, so it was like starting all over again,” she said.
The dinner had 120 confirmed reservations. It also had a “small army” of volunteers cooking and serving the meal or whatever needed doing to provide the grand holiday meal.
There wasn’t a confirmed number of volunteers, but House knew how many family members joined her on Christmas Day. “Eleven,” she said. There were also several members of Hope Haitian Choir who volunteered. Richardsky Adoux was a choir member who now lives in Sebago. He has been a Community Dinner volunteer for three years. He recently graduated from Southern Maine Community College with a culinary arts degree. He was the head chef cooking this year’s meal. “I’m more than happy to be here,” Adoux said. “I love this community, and I love seeing so many people so happy enjoying the meal.”
Adoux hopes to work in a kitchen for a few years before opening his own restaurant.
