Today I attended my 7th Church Dinner/Festival in the past 6 weeks. St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Shieldsville
holds its fall harvest festival on the first weekend of October every year. I’ve attended nearly every one since 1990.
The Festival is famous for it’s Pork and Sauerkraut, Polka Mass, horseshoe tournament, and friendly people. An organ played in the background while everyone had dinner or a cup of coffee and dessert. This is the last Catholic church dinner before the election. Marilynn and I love to attend church dinners. It gives us the opportunity to soak in the culture and gauge the opinion of the people in the area. You can tell if people think you’re doing a good job by the way that they smile or crack a joke with you.
Of course, if you like to eat (like I do), going to so many dinners is an occupational hazard. It’s almost time for me to go on my annual diet.
People appreciate it when their legislator comes to visit, spends a little money on raffle tickets,
homemade jam and pies, and enjoy the music. I recall one year being admonished during a parade in Morristown for not being able to attend the Chicken and Biscuit dinner in Waterville the previous year. People like to see us.
One promise that I have always made is that I will remain accessible to the people. Going to church dinners gives people a chance to visit with me about anything on their mind - and they do ! It also keeps me grounded and “in touch” with the people I represent.