Christmas Dinner at the Danube Seniors Leisure Centre was completely sold out. In fact, there was a waiting list.
The members-only event, which included a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, holiday games and entertainment by the Goldenaires choral group, was a highlight of the year and the holiday season.
Catering by Colin’s Chef Colin Bird and staff prepared and served the lunch, of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, vegetables and rolls to guests dressed in their festive best.
The Danube Seniors Leisure Centre, located at 715 Simcoe Rd. in Bradford West Gwillimbury, provides programs and activities for adults aged 55 and older, in the former Danube Counties Club building – a building that was gifted to the Town of BWG to provide a meeting place for seniors.
Membership, which includes voting rights and participation in all programs, is $10 per year for residents of Bradford West Gwillimbury, and $15 a year for those live outside the municipality. Associate memberships, for those under age 55, are also available.
The Christmas dinner was one of several holiday events planned at the Danube centre. On Dec. 14, South Simcoe Police Special Const. Elisabeth Aschwanden will lead a singalong of Christmas songs, from 10-11 a.m. The event is open to all.
And although the centre will be closed for the holidays, it will open on Jan. 1 for the annual New Year’s Levee from 1-3 p.m. It is a social afternoon of refreshments and holiday wishes, and a chance to meet the centre's executive and Acting President Elke Pitkin.
Pitkin, who has supervised the kitchen and daily lunches at the centre for years, was first vice president, but she stepped up to fill the top role when president Gertrud Erdenberger resigned after moving out of the area.
She has been kept busy in her new role, and there was a plea for more kitchen volunteers, especially for the daily soup and sandwich lunches.
“If we don’t have volunteers, we can’t do it. We simply can’t do it,” said Jan Evans. “And that would be a shame” – especially for the members who like to come in to the centre “to sit and have a bowl of soup with friends.”
For more information, see danubeseniors.club, or call 905-775-0612.
