by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION (La Passe) — Grab some lunchmates and head out to La Passe the first Wednesday of most months for a delicious lunch of soup, sandwich and desserts.
“We’ve been doing this since 2000,” said Mona Lacroix of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Women’s League.
In the spring, fall and winter, many citizens don’t get out of their homes during inclement weather, especially in the winter, which means some can spend a lot of time alone. The CWL decided to begin this lunch so that at least once a month the community can come together for some good food and good company, Mona said.
There’s a good variety of soup and the sandwich fixings include cooked turkey and ham, salmon and egg, along with the toppings, some pickles and olives, vegetable trays, and a good variety of desserts.
“Most of the food is homemade,” Mona said, adding, “We cook a turkey and a ham, and mix up the egg and salmon.”
However, she did admit, the bread and buns are purchased – not homemade.
Mona noted the desserts are cut into small pieces, not only so there are more of them, but so people can take a few and not feel cheated they didn’t get to try this one or that one.
Touching my forearm, Mona leans in and says, “See those three construction guys against the wall over there?” Looking, I nod and she continued, “I was in the kitchen this morning when I saw them stop and write down the information and here they are.”
She was referring to the sign at the side of the road announcing the luncheon is on this day.
“Anyone can come,” she said. “We’d never send anyone away.”
The lunch usually gets between 50 to 90 people, but a few times there’s been over 100, Mona said. The hall can seat 120. The cost is $7 and just recently, the women have begun selling quarts of the soup at the end of the lunch for $6.
The CWL members volunteer their time and cooking skills to the monthly event, which is not held July, August and January. But, the CWL also does other projects, such as making lap quilts, making food for St. Vince de Paul Society and hospices.
“We work hard,” Mona said. “We’re active whenever we can be.”
This CWL, and the Our Lady of Grace CWL in Westmeath, are hosting a Victorian Tea this month.
And, at next month’s lunch, bring some extra cash – the CWL is hosting a Christmas Bake Sale along with the usual soup, sandwich and dessert lunch.
Mona encourages the residents in Whitewater Region and surrounding area to check out the lunch at least one or two times during the year.
“We get people from Cobden, Beachburg, Pembroke, all over,” she said.
The lunch is in the parish hall of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church on the main street in La Passe from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
