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Beemerville Presbyterian Church Celebrates 100th Anniversary of the Harvest Home Dinner - July 3, 2007

The Beemerville Presbyterian Church will host their traditional Harvest Home Dinner on Tuesday, July 24th from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at the Beemerville Fire House. The first Beemerville Harvest Home dinner was held in 1907, under a tent erected on the east lawn of the Church to “Give thanks to God for the harvest,” according to Mrs. Helen Vanden Huevel, a senior member of the Church.

The time-honored dinner menu consists of delicious baked ham, creamy scalloped potatoes, local corn on the cob, green beans and the famous secret recipe coleslaw. This years desert will be a 100th Anniversary carrot cake. The entire congregation participates in the dinner. Members of all ages help to prepare and serve the fabulous fare.

Continuing in tradition, a ‘Chef’s Award’ will be given at 6 P.M., the recipient another well kept secret. Wayne and Loraine Card, along with Jack and Emma Prout are co-chairing the event.

Reminiscent of Harvest Home Dinners of years gone by, the Beemerville Presbyterian Church congregation has planned special activities for the 100th Anniversary of the Harvest Home Dinner.

“The Harvest Home Dinner always had some type of entertainment. Sometimes a local band, and we always fed them. One year we had “Uncle Pete and Louise, radio stars at the time. He was blind. One played the accordion and one the violin,” recalls Helen VandenHeuvel, a life long parishioner. “People loved them.“ In honor of the traditions of yesteryear, the Harvest Home Dinner will have the melodious High Point Harmonizers for entertainment.

The ‘Fancy Table’ is another long standing tradition at the Beemerville Harvest Home Dinner. The crafters of today’s congregation have been busy creating items for the ‘Fancy Table’. The Fancy Table sells hand crochet, hand knit, home sewn and many hand crafted items continuing the home spun flavor of the evening. Home baked goodies will also be available. All items are donated by the church members.

Senior parishioners have contributed their written memories of the Harvest Home Dinners of their youth. They have been complied into a booklet, “Memories of the Beemerville Harvest Home ”. This booklet will be available for a small donation. Cornelia Dalrymple remembers her father, Harry Dalrymple, played in the Church Band at the Harvest Home Dinner in 1916. Helen VandenHeuvel recalls penny candy, ice cream and a free grab bag gift for the children. Fred Space remembers sitting on Babe Ruth’s knee. The booklet will be a compilation of stories from parishioners of all ages.

A Harvest Home Commemorative Crock has been designed by Clay City Pottery and will be available for $19.00. The Crock will have the sketch of the Beemerville Church designed by Diane Card Friebley. The Presbyterian Church of Beemerville has a long and colorful history since it’s establishment in 1834.

Dinner will begin at 5 P.M. at the Beemerville Fire House directly across from the Beemerville Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $12 per adult and $6 per child, proceeds benefit the Church. Tickets are available at the door.

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