/Lions serve up a feast for first in-person event of pandemic
About 50 diners were served on Oct. 16 at the Minden Lions Club Octoberfest Dinner, which offered both in-person and take-out meals. The meal included Octoberfest brats, chicken, German potato salad, coleslaw, buns, dessert and non-alcoholic beer or other beverages. /Photo by Victoria Bingham

Lions serve up a feast for first in-person event of pandemic

By Sue Tiffin

Brian Moore was excited all day Saturday, knowing that the Minden and District Lions Club was hosting the service club’s first in-person event in 19 months that evening. An Octoberfest-themed dinner event saw 52 people served, either in two seatings at the Lions Hall in Minden, or by take-out.

“We were so excited,” said Moore, who is club secretary. “It was so nice to see our friends and the patrons. There were some new faces, but a lot of the people who had supported our spaghetti dinners had come out. For us it was very exciting, it was a good first start.”

Lions Mitch and Mary pause for a photo in the kitchen during the Lions Club Octoberfest event held Oct. 16. /Photo by Victoria Bingham

About 10 members of the Lions Club participated in making the event – the first since Feb. 2020 – happen, following strict public health measures that included a requirement that everyone entering the building must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. 

Dan Bingham, who organized the Minden Lions Octoberfest dinner held Oct. 16, prepares a take-out meal during the event. The dinner, held at the Lion Hall in Minden, was the first in-person event held by the service club during the pandemic./Photo by Victoria Bingham

That night, Moore said he could barely sleep, with his mind “reeling with ideas” for future events, with more themed dinner evenings and holiday celebrations planned for upcoming months. 

“It was really nice to get back at it,” said Moore.