TRAFFIC CONTROL … Glenn Lammon, Larry Hobis, and Mel Grisier directed exiting traffic. (PHOTOS BY AMY WENDT, STAFF)
By: Amy Wendt
The parking lot of the First Christian Church in Wauseon was completely full by 4:10 pm and there were cars lined down Oak Street to the intersection of North Franklin waiting for the church’s 142nd Chicken Pie Supper to begin at 4:30 pm on Wednesday, November 9.
The church’s tradition began in 1879 and dinner has been served every year except in 1943 (during World War II due to sugar rationing) and 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Prior to 2020, the annual meal was held in the church, where they would provide seating for up to 1000 people, long-time congregation member Glen Lammon explained.
In 2021, the dinner was changed to a drive-through format in response to COVID.
To make the operation even more efficient, the church reached out to Chick-fil-A to get some traffic management tips from the pros, shared Lammon.
As a result, the drive-through entrance was moved to Oak Street and the parking lot north of the fellowship hall was separated into four lanes so cars could take up nearly every bit of available space while passengers waited for their turn in line.
Nobody seemed to mind the wait. While guests can no longer visit face-to-face over dinner in the fellowship hall, they now have simply “adapted and visit in the parking lot instead,” added Lammon, who has volunteered at the event for over 40 years.
TEAMWORK … Over 100 volunteers made the event a success.
The kitchen was buzzing with the activity of volunteers manning their stations. “The gravy is our secret,” shared one of the volunteers who was attending to chicken pies that were baking in the new convection oven.
“Everything is made from scratch,” shared another. The afternoon’s menu also featured homemade apple, pecan, cherry, and pumpkin pies.
In preparation for the big event, ladies from the church began cooking apples two weeks ago to fill the apple pies being served.
According to Office Manager, Sarah Mueller, “Chairperson, Jayne Ferreira put in hours and hours” to ensure everything went smoothly.
“She is very organized. We have close to 100 volunteers to make the day a success.”
Amy can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com