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Community celebrates Christmas with traditional dinner

Annual holiday dinner draws more than 250 on Christmas Day
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There was something for everybody at the 17th edition of Ponoka’s Community Christmas Dinner at its new venue

Ponoka’s traditional Community Christmas Dinner was as popular as it has been for the past 17 years on Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25, when more than 250 residents of all ages and some 60 volunteers, including Ponoka firefighters, made their way to the new venue of the annual get together, Ponoka Legion.

The place was buzzing with activity from 10 a.m. on, with main organizer, Councillor Carla Prediger, directing volunteers on their assignments and Bob Hepp, the long time caterer of the community Christmas dinners, personally attending to details of the preparation of the traditional turkey-ham Christmas menu.

The entertainment was provided by the four-member band, composed of Russell Adams, Richard Adams, Glenn Hill and Mel Fisher, who played old time and country tunes until the dinner time arrived.

Prediger said there were also lots of door prizes for adults, donated by the Town of Ponoka and residents of the community. Lucky winners had their names determined by a draw while kids did not have to go through the excitement with numerous gifts, including many teddy bears waiting to be picked up by the young Christmas enthusiasts.

Until this year, the annual event used to be held at the Kinsmen Community Centre, but was switched to Legion as the caterer Hepp carried his operation to the latter venue earlier this year.