Someone had to be the first to bring an evergreen inside the house, hang socks over the fireplace or put fruit in cake. Traditions have a birthday, presumably.
That’s just what Bonnie Brasure was doing at her Bleu Door Bakery on Christmas Day: starting a tradition.
“Everyone does something for Thanksgiving,” she said. “We wanted to do something for Christmas.”
Brasure had gathered volunteers and some of her staff to prepare and serve Christmas dinner for the needy.
The bakery on Main Street had all the familiar scents of a home-cooked holiday meal. Turkey and ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and rolls all mingled in the air and on plates set in front of local families and friends.
Brasure had reached out to five area agencies to spread the word of the free meal, with seatings at noon, 1 and 2 p.m.
Unsure of what turnout would look like if the event was advertised widely, this year’s participation was somewhat limited.
“We didn’t want to have to turn anyone away,” Brasure said, adding that she was pleased with the turnout and hopes to grow to serve hundreds next year. “We do this because there are families who have nowhere to go.”
There also were plenty of free gifts for the children who came, paid for largely by donations made by the Bleu Door’s customers.
“Our customers rallied,” Brasure said. “One gave a $500 donation.”
Because of those efforts, 5-year-old Jeremiah Allen was able to wield a plastic lightsaber after he finished his Christmas meal. His sister Harmony, 7, picked out a bead maker, her eyes as wide as her smile.
Leftover toys and food were destined for local shelters to bring those smiles to even more folks in need.
“This is so very nice, thank you very much,” said Karen Kamerer, who said she was essentially the “grandmother” of one table of displaced adults and children eating together Friday afternoon.
Another table was just getting seated as apple cake and ice cream were being brought out to Kamerer and kin.
The dining room at the bakery opened this summer after Bleu Door had operated for a few years as a walk-up next door. The expansive area helped put the idea of the Christmas dinner for the needy in Brasure’s head.
“We have the space to do it,” she said.
With just a week and a half of planning, the chef was pleased with how things came together for the inaugural Christmas dinner at the bakery. She’s definitely looking forward to catering to the needy again next year, the year after that, and as long as needed — it’s tradition.
