Lower Burrell Legion Riders double as ‘family’ for Christmas dinner guests
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Pierogis apparently aren’t a thing out west. Or, at least, they weren’t for Roberta MacKnight, who moved to Lower Burrell from New Mexico in June.
MacKnight got her first taste of the Polish delicacy at a Christmas dinner hosted Sunday by the Legion Riders at Lower Burrell American Legion Post 868.
“They’re delicious. I love them,” MacKnight said as she had dinner with members of her family. “They’re one of my new favorite foods.”
The Legion Riders, motorcycle enthusiasts who are members of the post, its auxiliary, or the Sons of the American Legion, was formed in 2017 and held its first Christmas dinner, free and open to anyone, in 2018. It wasn’t held in 2020 because of the covid pandemic.
Mark Novaleski, a charter member of the Legion Riders and treasurer, said the dinner was his idea.
“We have veterans who have no family and we have community members who have no family. They can come here, watch TV and enjoy Christmas,” he said. “We enjoy everybody getting together. They have a place to go at Christmas.”
In addition to pierogi, the menu included ham, green beans, corn, salad and bread. Supported in large part by a “Secret Santa,” the entire meal cost only $80 – spent to buy cookies, Novaleski said.
“It’s always very good,” said Buster Knull of Lower Burrell. “They put on a nice feast.”
Legion Rider Eugene Zolna, usually the dish washer, took a turn slicing ham in the kitchen.
“We all pitch in,” he said. “That’s what’s nice.”
The aforementioned entertainment was provided by a large television tuned to TBS and the network’s marathon of “A Christmas Story.”
Those able to dine-in got to eat on real plates, not Styrofoam. Meals were available to-go, with delivery also available for those who couldn’t get to the post on Wildlife Lodge Road.
MacKnight was with her brother, J.B. Hunt, of Lower Burrell, her sister, Clenice Vincent, and Vincent’s sons Ryan and Chris Gott.
“We love it. The food is very good,” Vincent said. “Everyone treats us so warmly.”
Hunt, who is single, said his children and grandchildren are in California. He was at the post for its Thanksgiving dinner, too.
“The legion is kind of like my second family,” he said. “This is a great thing to do on Christmas.”
John Phillips, of Tarentum, was at the dinner for the first time at the invitation of his friend, Ed Bartosiewicz, of New Kensington. They were expecting about five in their group.
“Getting all the veterans together is great for this time of year. A lot of us don’t have family,” Bartosiewicz said. “It gives us somewhere to go. This is our family.”
Novaleski said they typically serve 50 to 75 people, but have been working to spread awareness of the dinner. He was anticipating turnout to be low this year because of the bitterly cold weather, but, after the first hour or so, more people started coming in.
“We’re really busy this year,” he said, as the dining room started to fill. “I can’t believe it. It’s great.”