Steaks being prepared in the Moose Lodge kitchen.

 

Annual Arc Dinner a hit as hundreds turn out

The Montour Moose Lodge was overflowing with diners Saturday night as The Arc of Schuyler held its annual Steak Dinner there. Less than halfway through the 3-hour event, more than 200 people had arrived -- filling the tables up. It was such a popular venue that for a while, some people had to sit in rows of chairs near the front of the dining hall awaiting open tables. The dinner is an annual fund-raiser that Arc Executive Director Jim Wilson (left) said helps cover expenses for activities not listed in the Arc's budget.

  

The Montour Moose Lodge dining hall -- scene of the Arc of Schuyler's annual steak dinner -- was a busy place Saturday night.

 Arc of Schuyler dinner draws a crowd

Photos and Article Courtesy of The Odessa File

MONTOUR FALLS, Feb. 9 -- They turned out in sizable numbers Saturday night for the annual Arc of Schuyler Steak Dinner at the Montour Moose Lodge -- a fund-raiser that helps the Arc with its programs each year.

The photos here are from the evening -- an evening in which The Arc of Schuyler Executive Director, Jim Wilson, was watching the activity with a pleased expression, and giving credit to the Moose Lodge workers, Interact Club members and Arc employees who "make it all work smoothly."

Various dignitaries were on hand -- Schuyler County Legislature Chairman Tom Gifford and Watkins Glen Mayor Judy Phillips among them -- as were families of people The Arc supports. But it went beyond that -- to community residents who could support the Arc's efforts and get a good meal at the same time.

Photo in text: Kitchen workers for Saturday night's dinner included Watkins Glen High School Interact Club members Kelly Martin, left, and Jenna Swarthout on dishwashing detail.

    

Left: Pam Palmer of Odessa and grandson R.J. Kelly were on hand for the dinner, and said it was great. R.J. especially liked the cupcake. Right: Nitasha Clinton, a senior at Odessa-Montour, was among the dinner workers on hand. Her mother is employed by the Arc of Schuyler.

       

Left: Cupcakes carried a reminder that this is the Arc of Schuyler's 30th anniversary year. Right: Watkins Glen High School student Emily Wickham, center, talks to one of the Interact waitresses.

               

Among diners Saturday night were, from left: Sharon Lindsley of Odessa, Watkins Glen Mayor Judy Phillips, and former Watkins Glen Village Board member Wayne Weber, who is seeking election to the board again next month.