The Binghamville Chicken Supper - My Take On The Event

This past Thursday night I went to the Binghamville Chicken Pie Supper. I had been told by the regular attendees that if you wanted to get in on the first serving that I had best get there before 4:30, so left here around ten minutes past four and walked in around 4:15. Bruce Webb was selling the tickets and I gave him the money for mine. He informed me that I had the lucky ticket and when I asked what it was, he told me it was the last seat of the first serving.

I then took a seat and chatted with others that had already bought their tickets. This is only my second time attending one of their suppers up there and you always find someone you know to chat with.

By 4:40 p.m. the second serving was all sold out and they started selling for the third serving. They seat 60 at each serving. I could see the workers rushing around down stairs setting up the tables and just a little before 5 p.m. they began putting heaping bowls of steaming mashed potatoes and squash along with bowls of cabbage salad and dishes with cranberry jelly.

Wasn’t long and Bruce told the people waiting upstairs, “OK, everyone with yellow tickets can go in now,” so we were off. I happened to sit across the table from Dean & Colleen Blake, who I hadn’t seen in years. Dean & Colleen are the parents of Jeff Blake who lives on Route 104A.

Sharon Tinker was up at the head of the table I was at with a big roaster pan of chicken and biscuits and putting some on each of the plates, so when people sat down they just added their own mashed potatoes, squash, cabbage salad and cranberry jelly. Everything is just so homemade and reminded me of back when I was a kid. No fancy frilly stuff, just a great delicious farmers meal.

Everyone knows just what they should be doing and are all helpful and cheerful. I have to tell you, it didn’t take long for me to empty my plate. Meanwhile of course someone had come around and poured coffee for me. I was then asked if I wanted some more and of course I replied, I sure do, so the girl grabbed my plate and put another biscuit and some chicken and I added some more gravy from a pitcher of gravy that was on the table.

Of course, I had to have more mashed potatoes and more squash.

After everyone had finished eating their main course and they had picked up the plates, they came around with a great big tray of all different kinds of pies. I didn’t count how many different kinds of pie there were, but I am guessing at least 7 different delicious kinds of pies. You picked out your own and the woman told me, “Now, if you don’t see what you want, let me know and I will go back and check for you.” I wanted apple and there wasn’t any on the tray, so off she went to get my apple pie and also a piece of custard pie for the person sitting next to me.

I don’t believe I have ever attended such a well organized delicious meal put on by any group. Secondly not only is the food great, but the workers with their happy faces just make the whole atmosphere absolutely great.

I definitely will be there next year, “The Good Lord Willing.”