LIVERMORE FALLS — Over 100 people attended a free Christmas Day dinner Monday at the George Bunten Post 10 American Legion Hall to enjoy a meal and each other’s company.

People started lining up at the hall at 17 Reynolds St. around 11:30 a.m. for a menu that featured turkey and ham with all the fixings. About a dozen showed up for meals to go and another dozen signed up for meal delivery, organizer and auxiliary member Debbie Breton of Jay said. Many who opted not to show are cancer patients who did not want to chance sickness amidst ongoing chemotherapy treatments, she said.

Although some came because they needed a meal or had nowhere else to go, most attended to connect with neighbors and friends, Breton and fellow organizer Rose Darling of Livermore Falls said.

“We’re running pretty low just after an hour,” Darling said. “I mean, we were hit hard this year,” she said cheerfully after popping out of the kitchen to give volunteers the news that the gravy had run out. “Sometimes you just never know,” she said.

Breton said the count of about 124 people was what she hoped to see, because last year’s comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic did not draw very many.

Santa Claus made an appearance and stuck around for dinner, pie and cookies.

Pat Knowlton, former owner of Pat’s Wallpaper in Livermore Falls, has been playing the part of the jolly gent for years in locations as far away as Portland.

“People love it. I love it,” Knowlton said. “It’s a lot of fun and it’s nice to see a smile on everyone’s face when they get together.”

Local resident and Legionnaire Ron Morin said he and his wife, Becky, have volunteered for the dinner for the past two years and the sense of community keeps them coming back. He said the highlight was sitting on Santa’s lap, but despite all the sweet talk, he said he remains on Santa’s naughty list.

“All the food is donated and Deb and Rose, well, they run the show — we just give them our support,” Morin said. “It’s an incredible dinner here.”

The dinner began at the now-closed United Methodist Church and moved to the Legion Hall to keep the tradition alive, Breton added.

Local resident Rose Strout said, “I come here for the crowd. I enjoy it, it’s social, people get to see more of those they don’t get to see everyday. We need more of it.”

Wilton resident Jane Bullock came with friends from the area.

“This was my first time, I didn’t even know about it,” Bullock said. “It’s lonely at home, it’s festive here and it’s fun to be with friends.”

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