It takes a village, as the saying goes. When it comes to a volunteer effort to keep a community hall running, that’s the story behind the community groups in Muenster who hold events like last Saturday’s Winter Gala. The chicken supper is one of the many events hosted throughout the year by the Muenster Community Hall Volunteer Groups.

This year’s Winter Gala chicken supper was a near-sellout, impressive given all the winter activities going on in and around Muenster on November 16. One of those stalwart volunteers is Amy Yeager who notes that the suppers, in one form or another, are a long-time tradition.

“It’s something that we have been doing for a number of years in the Muenster Community Centre. The chicken dinners have been going since the Community Centre opened in the late 1960s, so it has become quite a tradition.”

The Winter Gala, like many of the area’s fall suppers, brings the community together for a sumptuous meal. However, the Muenster Chicken Suppers have a bit of a mystique about them given the well-kept secret as to the recipe for the coating and for the renowned salad vinaigrette. No matter what time of the year, the suppers are always well attended.

The supper raised approximately $5,000 for the Community Hall. The community hall groups are working toward a wheelchair lift for the facility. Jacob Wassermann of the 2017-2018 Humboldt Broncos was on hand at the supper. Wassermann’s family is originally from Muenster, and Jacob came to enjoy a traditional meal and generously pass on a $500 donation for the hall.

While the wheelchair project is a current focus at the hall, Amy Yeager explains that its not the sole need.

“The hall is completely volunteer funded; it’s not operated by the town of Muenster, so it’s really important to have these events to keep the doors open.” 

The facility needs occasional upkeep and repairs and the funds generated are also used to pay for administrative and janitorial services. However, funds beyond the operating cash can be assigned to the wheelchair lift project.

Yeager testifies to the commitment of the Muenster residents in not only preparing the meal but in coming out to support this any other fundraising events.

“The volunteers we have in the Muenster community are amazing; I don’t know how else to describe it. I know that lots of families donate time in sporting events for their children, but this one is completely community-oriented, and so it’s nice to see that everyone comes out to support the local community in keeping the doors to the hall open.”

The evening was also sponsored by Richardson Pioneer and Olymel who provided the funds to purchase the chicken for the banquet.