​About 120 people turn out for 45th annual Tiverton Lions Seniors’ Christmas Dinner

About 100 seniors turned out for the 45th annual Christmas dinner, hosted by the Tiverton Lions Club, Friday night, at the Whitney Crawford Community Centre in Tiverton.

Julia Pal and her friends, Jim Krulicki and Tom Durrant, of Kincardine provided entertainment while people gathered and throughout the evening.

MC Hank Van Moorsel welcomed everyone, and noted that as of the 2025 event, the Lions had cooked 146 turkeys, more than two tons of potatoes and turnips, and served 5,800 dinners.

“It’s our way of giving back to you for all that you have done for the community,” he said. “Doing something for others increases your happiness, gives you peace of mind and helps you live longer.”

Rev. Rick Warne of Knox Presbyterian Church, Tiverton, 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, answering the age-old question, “What does Santa do when he’s not distributing presents?” He’s at the Tiverton Lions Seniors Christmas Party.

Van Moorsel said that some of the Tiverton Lions were only 30 years old when the annual seniors Christmas dinner began. Now, they’re old enough to attend.

The event actually started in 1978, but it was cancelled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Van Moorsel.

He noted that in 1978, the first mobile cell phone and GPS were invented. “Happy Days” was the top television show, and the top movie was “Grease.” The most popular car was the Oldsmobile Cutlass, and the most favourite song was “Night Fever” by the Bee Gees which they listened to on the eight-track player!

As the event wound down, a draw was held for the poinsettias which were the table centrepieces.