Dinner is Election Day winner

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

There were no Election Day losers Tuesday in Bland County. Democrats, Republicans and independents all agreed the winner was the annual ham and turkey dinner from the Women’s Ministry of Bastian Union Church.
“It’s an operation. That’s for sure,” noted Paul Looney, assistant pastor. “It’s well greased.”
This year’s project began weeks ago with planning of the menu, which included ham, turkey, dressing, slaw, mashed potatoes, green beans, homemade rolls and desserts. Next came the passing of a list seeking donations of food and other ingredients for the meal. The group then determined what items had to be purchased.
Many of the details fall to Ila Jean Kitts, secretary/treasurer of the Women’s Ministry. Buying food and enlisting volunteers are part of her responsibilities.
For this year’s meal, there were 60 turkey breasts totaling 400 lbs., four boneless hams, four 50-lb. bags of cabbage for slaw, five bushels of potatoes, nine 25-lb. bags of flour, 20 quarts of mayonnaise and various amounts of stuffing mix, day-old bread and seasonings.
“We went with fewer hams this year because we don’t sell as many ham dinners,” Kitts said. “We added hot dogs, too. One year, we had hamburgers and hot dogs and french fries which didn’t do too good. People like our turkey dinners.”
The church kitchen was bustling Monday morning as male and female volunteers peeled potatoes, sliced the hams and turkeys, chopped cabbage and mixed the dressing. Also on Monday, the Women’s Ministry sold 31 pans of homemade cinnamon rolls and 60 dozen hot rolls.
Kitts and Eunice Childress cooked 18 of the turkey breasts at the church – nine on Saturday and nine on Sunday—so they would have brother for the dressing. Other church women cooked their turkeys at home.
According to Kitts, the Women’s Ministry has prepared the Election Day meals for at least 25 years. The group chose the day because of the large number of people voting at the Bland County School Board Office near the church and elsewhere across the county.
Costing $7 each, meals are delivered to several of the polling places and area businesses and factories. They also are served to diners in the church fellowship hall.
Serving begins at 11 a.m. It continues until 7 p.m. when the polls close.
“It’s gone real well,” Looney said. “We have a lot of people who eat with us and not just from Bastian. Betty K. Munsey and her husband, Bob, always eat with and we have people from Rocky Gap and all over the county.”
Kitts added, “We have a good turnout and we have good fellowship Monday and Tuesday. It’s enjoyable.” 
According to Kitts, the project cleared more than $3,000 last year. This year’s total was unavailable at press time.
Shirley Cox is president of the Women’s Ministry. Cathy Strock is vice president.
“I think it’s wonderful the ladies donate all the proceeds back into the community,” Looney said. “They’ve made donations to our youth group and they’ve bought carpet and pews for the church. They’ve even helped people in need in the community.”
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 1-800-655-1406 or .