A fall tradition promises to fill the hearts and stomachs of its guests. The ninth annual Davisburg Turkey Supper is Sept. 30 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Davisburg Community Hall. The event features a turkey dinner with all the fixings, live music, a magician, and a silent auction and draws to help raise money for the Davisburg Community Association. And then there are the pies, which are easily everyone’s favourite part of the event. “We do about 230 pies all together,” said Diana Froc, one of the event organizers. “We use about half for the meal and the other half get sold.” Last year the group of 15 volunteers who make all the pastry and filling decided to cut back on the number of pies they made, but realized that wouldn’t work. People ate their fill and were looking for the usual leftover pies to buy and take home, but there weren’t any left. “We had used everything we had,” said Froc. “So we brought our number back up this year. It’s an extra fundraiser on top of the dinner.” The dinner usually raises between $15,000 and $20,000 for the Davisburg Community Association, which allows the group to make enhancements to its facility and amenities, she said. In the past, the dinner has helped pay for the baseball diamond and soccer field at the community hall site, as well as some programming and events, she said. This year the focus is on the beginning of the playground revitalization, she said. In addition, some of the funds will be set aside for the organization’s long-term hall renovation project. “We’d like to upgrade our facility to have easier access for mobility issues, we’ll upgrade the washrooms and hopefully the foyer so people can come and go from the hall easier,” said Froc. “So that will be our long-term dream and it’s such a big ticket item we’re accumulating over time to get that project underway.” The success of the supper hinges on the support of the Davisburg community and volunteers who help make it happen, she said. From turkey and potatoes cooked by Hansel and Gretel’s Catering and tents and heaters being donated to community members helping cook side dishes, make pies, and set up the event, she said it takes a village to make the fundraiser run smoothly. “We’ve got such a great group – you almost don’t need to talk to people because they know the routine,” said Froc. “It’s heartwarming.” It’s also heartening to see the crowds come out year after year, she said. Dinner is served up throughout the afternoon and there is enough food to satisfy about 675 bellies – and they usually get close to that number, she said. While fundraising was the main reason the turkey supper started up, bringing people together is the reason it continues to succeed, she said. “It’s so important in our community to bring people together,” said Froc. “People’s lives are busy, and there are new people in the community, and it helps provide a sense of community for sure.” MD Reeve Larry Spilak said it’s a great event that has grown substantially over the years. It began as a fundraiser for the Scott Seaman Arena in Heritage Heights through the Dunbow Recreation Board, and once the rink was built the event came under the umbrella of the community association, where it has thrived, he said. It means a lot to the Davisburg residents and the entire municipality, he said. “It’s an opportunity to meet your neighbours and other people within the area, visit, and catch up on what has been happening over the past year and at the same time enjoy a fabulous homemade turkey dinner,” said Spilak. “And don’t forget the pies, the famous pies.” Tickets for the Davisburg Turkey Supper are $25 each and can be purchased at www.davisburg.ca, at Heritage Heights School, or by calling Froc at 403-923-6551 or Lynore Park at 403-860-2380. Froc said tickets should be purchased in advance, as there may not be any available at the door.
