Photo/WES KELLER A DISTINGUISHED GUEST at the Legion dinner was Leyta Lamere, a longtime member of the Col. Fitzgibbon Branch 233 Ladies Auxiliary and wife of the late Bill Lamere, past president of the branch. Despite the inclement weather and the first-ever casualty, Orangeville Royal Canadian Legion's annual Christmas Dinner for area seniors fed about 130 last Sunday.

As has become customary, those who waited in the upstairs lounge for a serving were entertained by a small choir and the well known voice of David Pounds with piano accompaniment by Pamela Claridge.

At the downstairs dinner, along with musical CDs from Music Talks and the accordion of Len Slaney and dancing by the Paquette sisters Shannon and Diandra. There would have been a third dancer, but Melissa Mouck had the misfortune of injuring her ankle in one of her early numbers - making her the first casualty ever in the annual event.

Although many of the seniors braved the icy roadways for the dinner, much of the attendance was made possible by two volunteer Laidlaw drivers. Legion Awards Chairman Bruce Lumsden presented Lynn Beaver and Marilyn Forestall with Certificates of Appreciation for their longtime volunteering.

This year's event also might have highlighted the urgency of the Legion's efforts to achieve barrier-free access to all parts of the club.

Jean Paul Nadeau, a naval veteran who usually provides stalwart service moving supplies from one floor to the other, had broken his right foot shortly before the event, and was unable to perform his usual voluntary service. As well, some of the diners who wished to eat downstairs were unable to get there. (General meetings meetings of necessity are held downstairs. They are not accessible to a few of the aging Second World War veterans. Amazingly, though, veterans such as Jack Campbell, a Second World War naval veteran, were serving tables Sunday, and some still serve on the Colour Party.)

The dinner is also made possible through the generosity of some merchants and the Town, as well as the Legion's general funds. Appreciative diners this year donated close to $700, some of which is likely to assist in the efforts of the branch to make the downstairs accessible.