BFC schedules Winter Feast

In the cold and dark of January, when many people tend to stay home, the Bowmansville Fire Company (BFC), offers a reason to go out and experience some new and rare flavors. BFC Lt. Steven King said that he believes the tradition of serving a Winter Feast at the fire company to raise funds dates back about three decades. "If I recall correctly, years back some members and locals liked to go out west on hunts," said King. "That's kind of how it started."

The BFC Winter Feast will be held at the fire company, 146 W. Maple Grove Road, Bowmansville, on Saturday, Jan. 11, beginning at 3 p.m. The by-donation dinner will feature a variety of dishes, including elk, deer, bear, pig, wild boar, and domestic turkey, along with side dishes and desserts. Both dine-in and takeout meals will be available until sold out.

According to King, deer meat will be served roasted and also in meatloaf. Bear meatballs made with BFC's special sauce will also be on the menu. "It's a large serving portion," said King of the bear meatball. A dish called French Goose is actually pig stomach, and the BFC version is made from a recipe handed down from one of the first feasts. "It's stuffed with potatoes and meat," said King, who noted the meat in the French Goose could include pork, smoked sausage, and kielbasa. Carved domestic turkey and roasted elk will be served, as will wild boar. Poor Man's Steak will also be on the menu. "It's a mixture of venison and elk burger," said King, who noted the mixture is shaped into three-quarter-inch thick steaks and cooked on a griddle before being roasted with cream of mushroom soup. "It's really good," he noted. Side dishes will be mashed potatoes, baked lima beans, peas, pepper cabbage, and homemade bread. For dessert, a variety of flavors of homemade cake will be donated for diners to enjoy.

The Winter Feast generally attracts a large number of area residents. "Last year, we served around 350 dine-in and 150 takeout," said King, who noted the fundraiser could net up to $6,000. With the exception of the turkey, the meat is donated by local hunters who are members of the fire company or live in the Bowmansville area. Although the funds will help with general costs, King noted that money raised by the company will help pay for a new engine that BFC plans to purchase in February for about $900,000.

Readers who would like to know more about BFC may search for "Bowmansville Fire Company" on Facebook. Those who have specific questions about the dinner may call 717-445-6293.