Fine Italian food at annual meal

COLEBROOK — The Colebrook Congregational Church held its fourth annual Italian dinner at the Colebrook Senior and Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 17.

Sunday school students Alex Farnham, 12, Sophia D’Urso, 11, Ellie Oaks-Rogers, 12, and Madeline Campbell, 13, wore Italian-themed hats and greeted residents at the door.

Alex said he has helped with the event every year since it started.

“I’ve been here since this morning setting up tables and food, and it’s a lot of fun,” Alex said. “Plates and glasses get broken every year. We found balloons the colors of the Italian flag and filled them with water but they broke and we ended up having to clean the floor. I like helping out because I get together with all of my friends, family and other people I know from Colebrook to enjoy various foods. The people that come like how much effort we put into the food and decorations.”

Ellie said this was her first year helping with the dinner.

“It’s been fun hanging out with everybody,” Ellie said. “I’ve been here helping to put away dishes and set tables. I dropped about two plates, but I guess that happens a lot.” 

Event Organizer Linda Farnham said the dinner got its start because Colebrook needed a winter event.

“Christmas is over, and we need something to keep everybody going. That’s why we do it,” Farnham said. “The proceeds go toward maintenance and the parsonage of the church. Everything is homemade. It’s good stuff, people love it. We have a chili fest next month and an Oktoberfest, so we wanted something to get people through the winter doldrums.”

Church member Craig Farnham volunteered to cook for the event.

“This is about giving people really good food for a great cause,” Farnham said. “You can’t normally get a $12 dinner with this type and amount of food. It’s a labor of love. I hope everyone enjoys it. It’s not about making money, it’s about everybody having a good time. We spend probably the equivalent of a half a week preparing for this dinner. It’s not about us, it’s about trying to let everyone enjoy themselves.”

The meal consisted of chicken parmigiana, spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, cannolis and cookies, all homemade by members of the church.

Church member Valerie Hagarty said that she makes the sauce and cannolis for the dinner every year.

“I’ve been cooking with my family since I was 5 years old,” Hagarty said. “The recipes are a family secret. I can’t tell too much about it, but everything is homemade. The cannoli recipe is my grandmother’s recipe. Cooking for this event brings back my heritage. I spent summers in Italy visiting my grandparents as a kid. People come together here, and they eat like a big Italian family. They have wine, they laugh and joke. We don’t kick anybody out. As long as they’re here having a good time, they can stay and have fun.”