'A Bully Good Thing'

ABINGTON SUBURBAN EDITOR

With apologies to President Theodore Roosevelt, whose "bully good" comment concerned a U.S. Army tournament, the Waverly United Methodist Church, 103 Church St., will hold its 41st annual bull roast on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6, from 1-5 p.m. or until they run out of bull.

Steamship rounds of beef will go on charcoal rotisserie spits on the church grounds about 6 a.m. By the time the beef is done about noon, the aroma wafting through the Waverly community is sure to fan appetites.

"The whole community can smell it," said bull roast co-chair Holly Gilpin.

A few years ago, the church was concerned that dwindling volunteers for the bull roast would spell its demise, she said. But the roast is such a big community event, that more church members and even Waverly folks who aren't part of the church now pitch in.

"People responded," she said.

In 1969, the year of the first bull roast, the men's club of the church ran the entire event with the church's women contributing only desserts. But over the years, Gilpin said the women became more involved in what has become the church's biggest fundraiser.

The church expects to serve some 600 dinners this Labor Day. Weather is always a factor. But only once in the past 40 years was the roast served indoors due to rain, Gilpin said. Tents will be set up on church grounds with tables and chairs for those who wish to dig in immediately.

The menu will be open-pit roasted beef, parsley potatoes, corn on the cob, baked beans, tomatoes, applesauce, roll, homemade dessert and beverage. Takeouts will be available. Gilpin said takeouts number about 200.

Tickets are $12.50; $6 for children 9 and younger. Ten percent of the proceeds benefits the church's mission projects.

Tickets will be available at the door or contact Heather Gatz, 585-5479.

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