ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A steady flow of turkey dinner was walked out of the kitchen at the Knights of Columbus on St. Clare Avenue in St. John’s on Monday as volunteers and members of the community gathered for the 12th annual Rogers Rogers Moyse Christmas community dinner.
Martha Jane Barrett, originally from Monkstown but a St. John’s resident for 58 years, was dressed in red and white from top to toe for the event. At the front of the room, the bellows of an accordion pushed and pulled out the tune to "I’se the B’y" as the 80-year-old widow spoke of her love of community.
“I love it. I love music and everything,” she said.
“Sitting at home in the house by yourself is a lonely life. That’s why I like to get out.”
Richard Rogers, a senior partner at Rogers Rogers Moyse law firm, says the event is taking on a necessary role.
“It had to be done, to be honest with you,” Rogers said. “The city was changing and some of the old traditions seemed to be falling to the wayside.”
Rogers said anyone born in the 1960s or earlier would remember the Mount Cashel Raffle.
“That was a really big part of our heritage around Christmas time,” he said.
His law firm represents people from all walks of life, he says, and they wanted to put off an event that would appeal to as many people as possible.
“We always have people that come up to us and say, ‘If it wasn’t for this we’d have nothing at Christmas,’” he said. “That’s a real eye-opener.”
Rogers is the younger brother of Gerry Rogers, who represented St. John’s Centre, where the event was being held, from 2011 until this year.
“My mom came from a family of 13 kids on the great Northern Peninsula, Dad came from a family from downtown St. John’s, and they really knew hardship,” Gerry said.
“My brother … this is his way of giving back.”
Gerry said she’s proud of her brother’s huge heart and his desire to give back to the community.
Jim Dinn, who was elected MHA for St. John’s Centre in last May's provincial election, said it’s a chance to bring people together.
“We’re all connected,” he said. “You can see here, there’s a tremendous amount of dialogue going on. Meals are a great way to encourage people of different backgrounds, different interests (to get) together. … It’s beautiful.”
Sporting a Santa hat, John Hines was attending the event for the first time.
“(I came) just to have a great time and see how many people I know,” Hines said.
He spots Gerry Rogers and calls out over the chatter and the accordion playing "Grey Foggy Day."
“How are ya sweetie?” Hines asks.
The two chat about their health before a plate of hot food, covered in gravy, is placed in front of Hines.
Twitter: @andrewLwaterman
