FULTON, Ill. —
One big smiling face will be missing from Fulton’s Community Christmas Dinner this year. Dickey Bullers, who has served as the cook at the annual gathering for 16 years, died in a bicycle accident in August.
“It’s all in memory of Dickey this year,” Chairman Barb Suehl-Janis said. “We will have a banner up to commemorate him.”
The 28th annual dinner will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Day at the Fulton Fire Department. With Dickey gone, his son Sean will step in to fill the void. Sean is no stranger to the dinner, as he has helped his father cook since he was just 10 years old.
“It will be terrible to not have Dickey’s big smile all day long, but Sean has learned well from his father and will do a great job,” Suehl-Janis said.
Besides Suehl-Janis and the Bullers family, many volunteers and donors contribute to the event in a variety of ways. Committee members include Bill and Betty Abbott, Wayne Meurs, Roger Johnson, Gregory Weets and Leonard Janis. More than 20 volunteers help prepare, serve and deliver the meals each year.
About 300 people are served at the dinner and 120 receive delivered meals, including the YWCA Crisis Center and the Victory Center. Firefighters and volunteers deliver meals to Fulton, Clinton, Albany, Thomson and Camanche. Those who are homebound and would like a meal delivered can call (815) 589-3030.
Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, dressing and more are provided by generous donations from local businesses. Exelon donated $1,500 to fund most of the dinner. Fulton Meat Market, Sweetheart Bakery and Eagle River Liquor also provide donations of food and drinks.
“At the end of the year we usually break even, but there is no way we could do this without all the donations,” Suehl-Janis said.
Desserts are provided by donations from the community. Those wishing to help out can drop off treats at the fire station between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. today and starting at 6:30 a.m. Christmas Day.
Whether they are lonely, down on their luck or unable to prepare their own meal, all are welcome at the festive feast.
Local News
Fulton dinner set for Tuesday
- Local News
-
-
City looks at upping waste service fees
CLINTON -- Clinton residents could soon pay $1.39 more for their solid waste services monthly as city officials find ways to shore up the solid waste fund.
- Second TIF district eyed FULTON, Ill. -- Development discussions for the 112 acres of land purchased by the city of Fulton last month has begun. The city council met Monday to review a presentation from SB Friedman Senior Project Manager Geoff Dickenson for a new potential
-
Prospect Avenue questions to be answered
CLINTON — The city of Clinton will host a public meeting regarding Prospect Avenue construction Wednesday at Clinton City Hall. The public information meeting will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in City Council chambers at Clinton City Hall. The
- Union Pacific routes money back into community CLINTON -- Five Clinton-area non-profit organizations were awarded grants from the Union Pacific Foundation on Monday. Big Brother Big Sisters, the Friends of the Clinton Public Library, Mercy Medical Center, the River City Municipal Band and the Un
- Head out on the highway CLINTON -- Around 400 Harley riders will cruise into Clinton this weekend as the city hosts the Harley Owners Group 2013 state rally. From Thursday through Saturday, Clinton will be filled with bikers from across the state who will take part in var
-
End of the road for landfill's bio-reactor
The county landfill will scrap its bio-reactor. The Clinton County Area Solid Waste Agency heard a quote from James Luther Kiln & Dryer on repairing the broken bio-reactor vessel during Thursday's meeting, learning the project could cost as much as $750,000.
-
More than Paint: School districts prepare to merge as Easton Valley
Members of the Preston and East Central communities are preparing for the major change of their districts becoming one. As of late, those preparations involved gallons of orange and grey paint.
-
Iowa film company showcases Clinton firm
The Iowa Filmmakers were in Clinton on Thursday shooting a new video at Adcraft Printwear.
-
Request to reduce Clinton's costs for landfill use fails
A request by a Clinton city councilwoman for a decrease in the solid waste per capita rate did not receive enough support to move forward in discussions by the county's solid waste agency board Thursday night.
-
UPDATE: More than Ashford faculty exempt from voluntary resignation program
Hundreds of Ashford University employees in Clinton have been offered a chance to voluntarily resign as the company seeks to reduce its workforce.
- More Local News Headlines
-
City looks at upping waste service fees
