OTISFIELD — After a nearly two-and-a-half-year hiatus,  the Otisfield Community Lunch is back. Started in August of 2011 by the Social Outreach Committee, a community partnership initiated by the East Otisfield Free Baptist Church, the lunch came in response to community needs assessment. The community needs assessment had been done by the church and identified a need for people to get together. It is easy to feel isolated in a rural town of 42 square miles, with no central meeting place such as a Post Office or centrally located general store.

The first Community Lunch was well attended with nearly 80 people, impressive with Otisfield’s population at 1750 at the time. The Town has supported the event and many of the employees attend and help out. Since the beginning, Frank Blauvelt has been the chief cook, and Ginny Noble the friendly voice on the phone soliciting delicious dishes for the meal from local residents. Many people have volunteered to set up tables, serve, wash dishes, wash table cloths, and clean up.

On August 3, Community Lunches resume at the Otisfield Community Hall, 292 State Route 121, from 11:30-12:30. The menu includes Chicken Salad, other summer vegetable salads, lemonade, and cookies for dessert. Please call George at 207-739-1065 if you are able to help set up or help with clean-up. The Community Lunch is free with donations greatly appreciated. Come and get caught up with friends and neighbors, and maybe meet some new people.