Credit: Claire Gunning
Rain fell just 15 minutes before the Pine Plains Lions Club Roast Beef Barbecue was set to begin, but it didn’t keep the community away. Despite the wet weather, residents gathered under the Lions Club Pavilion to support a local tradition of more than 50 years.
Organized by the Lions Club with support from the Pine Plains Odd Fellows, the barbecue featured home-cooked meals, priced at $20 each, and a variety of beverages, including water, lemonade, iced tea and beer. Beef was donated by both Sugar Hill Farm and Prospect Hill Farm. While many attendees ate at community tables, others chose to take boxed dinners to go. Additional donations were requested for beer.
Jim Wilbur, vice president of the Pine Plains Odd Fellows, said he was pleased with the turnout, noting that 400 tickets had been printed for the event. Cooking began as early as 7 a.m., led by Lions Club member Gregg Pulver, who has served as pitmaster for the last 10 barbecues.
Pine Plains Future Farmers of America students helped set up tables at the Lions Club Pavilion on Friday afternoon. Pulver emphasized the importance of community support, stating that without the help of the Odd Fellows, the Lions Club would not have been able to continue hosting the Roast Beef Barbecue.
The Pine Plains Lions Club is a community-focused organization dedicated to improving health and well-being and supporting those in need. Their initiatives range from sight and hearing conservation to youth empowerment and scholarships. The Lions Club conducts eye screening clinics in local schools, supports hearing and speech clinics, and provides glasses and hearing equipment to those in need. They also host a summer camp for local youth and provide a weekly meeting space for the Boy Scouts. The club funds scholarships for Stissing Mountain High School seniors through events like their annual golf tournament and contributes to global humanitarian causes via Lions International.
Credit: Claire Gunning
The Pine Plains Odd Fellows, established in 1906 as Lodge #903, is a fraternal organization that began as an offshoot of the Freemasons. Historically, the Odd Fellows were associated with various trades and were known for their commitment to “Friendship, Love and Truth.” The current mission of the Odd Fellows focuses on scholarships and community assistance, which aligns with their ongoing efforts to increase fundraising and support local causes. The organization is known for events such as the barbecue and golf tournaments, which help fund these initiatives.
Wilbur said the Odd Fellows are working to rebuild their reputation in the community after a period of reduced activity. The organization aims to fund two $1,500 scholarships this year and has provided over $16,000 in grants to community members in need over the past year. Last Christmas, they awarded $500 grants to two families each from Seymour Smith Intermediate School and Stissing Mountain High School.
The Lions Club is also committed to community service. Matt Zick, president of the Lions Club, shared that his daughter’s vision impairment was detected during a Lions Club screening at school, a condition missed during regular doctor’s visits. Zick and fellow member Don Bartles plan to conduct additional screenings at Astor Services in Poughkeepsie and Cold Spring Elementary School.
Zick also noted that the Lions Club is looking for ideas on how to use their space for more community events. The space is currently used by the town for a camp and is available for private rentals.
The Odd Fellows have recently ramped up their fundraising efforts, hosting a successful golf tournament last spring. The Lions Club has its own golf tournament scheduled for Oct. 14. Zick mentioned that the Odd Fellows fully funded their scholarships through their golf event, demonstrating the value of these community initiatives.