The skies opened and the rain poured down, but the barbecue team at Bond Head United Church just kept cooking.
Tom Hamilton, his brother, Dave, and his daughter, Skyler, were at the outdoor grill, cooking up smoked pork chops Aug. 17 with help from self-described “newbie” Bob Thomas and a team of volunteers.
Hamilton is no newbie. He’s been helping out at the annual barbecue for more than 30 years under the watchful eye of his dad, Bob Hamilton. Sadly, Bob passed away on July 23, in his 89th year.
It was Bob who taught the team just how long to keep each side exposed to the coals, before flipping the grill, and how to cook the chops to the perfect state of succulency. It was Bob who instilled that “show must go on” determination, grilling despite the weather. And as the rain poured down, the team protected the flames with sheets of galvanized metal, and kept cooking.
Despite the rain, a crowd of more than 160 lined up for the dinner of chops, baked potato, baked beans, coleslaw, pickles, tea, coffee or juice, with homemade pie for dessert, prepared by church members.
Except for a few years when the dinner was on hiatus, the Pork Chop Barbecue has been a key fundraiser for Bond Head United Church for decades.
“Thirty-seven years,” said Jean Keffer, wife of BWG Mayor Rob Keffer, who also attended the event. “This is only the fourth year it’s rained.”
Tents, tables and chairs were set up outside, but many diners chose to eat indoors. The church is accessible, thanks to the addition of a lift last year after the congregation and community raised enough funds.
