Gilford church serves 80 people for Christmas dinner

GILFORD — First United Methodist Church of Gilford served 80 people on Christmas Day for dinner, providing a welcoming space to share fellowship during the holiday.

Diners cruised into the church Wednesday from a crowded parking lot and waited for dinner in filled waiting room, munching on hors d'oeuvres. Before dinner started at 1 p.m., volunteers were rushing around to ensure everything was ready. One diner, Donna Brooks, came with her husband Bob. She said it was nice to have a dinner on Christmas Day.

“We don't always get invited to all the family gatherings,” she said. “This way, my husband and I get a chance to get out with other people.”

Paul Blake came to the dinner on his own. He has a family but comes to the church to socialize with others.

“I'm never lonely though,” he said. “I just like to come converse with people.”

Lisa DiMartino, a volunteer for the dinner, attends the Methodist church. She feels good about spending her time volunteering, as she feels it is a way for her to better her community.

“There are a lot of people that may not have a place to be at Christmas, or may be alone. And it's a way of us staying connected,” she said.

After serving dinner, DiMartino went to sit with someone she had not seen since 2008, Lisa Clark. Clark’s son, Tom, took DiMartino’s daughter to the prom that year. The pair spent a few minutes catching up and taking photos. Clark said she came to have a good time and meet some people, but was a nice surprise seeing DiMartino.

“It was nice to see people we’ve known for a long time,” she said.

“I wish more people would sign up. They have to sign up. We can't take walk-ins because we have to pre-order,” she said. “It used to be bigger, a lot bigger. I don't know, people travel more now, but I wish more diners would sign up.”

Volunteer Sheila Petrin has been serving at the dinner for 15 years. She used to come with her daughter, who died unexpectedly 12 years ago after volunteering at the church for the dinner.

“My daughter's last Christmas was here, and she passed in 2012,” Petrin said. “And I was here four or five years before that. I don't count the years. I just look forward to it.”

Now Petrin honors her daughter by volunteering at the dinner each year, and wearing something with a reindeer pattern, as her daughter was in similar attire that Christmas Day.

Members of the Laconia Rod & Gun Club prepared the food. All the food was purchased from Vista Foods supermarket in Laconia, at a discount.

Carol Michael from the church helped organize the event. She loved the dinner and said it’s nice to see reoccurring attendees who have come over the years. At its peak, the dinner served over 160 people. Michael wants to see the dinner continue to grow, and encouraged people to sign up to attend next year.