ROYALSTON – Organizers said they are delighted with the success of the 5th Annual Chet Hall Memorial Breakfast, held last Saturday at the Royalston Community School.
Hundreds attended throughout the three-plus-hour event, the proceeds of which will provide continuing education scholarships in memory of Hall, who dedicated many years to RCS, the school district and area youth athletics.
Wayne Richardson flipped hundreds of fluffy pancakes, made from 40 pounds of pancake mix. Breakfasts were served in the cafetorium, by an experienced crew. The first wave of eaters were served by Kiley Cleveland, Dylan Hall, Chris Deveneau, Joe Bairos, Laurie Deveneau, and Curtis Deveneau. Others in and about the kitchen included Garret O’Brien, Chet Hall, IV, and David Sandrelli.
Pancakes were topped with pure Royalston maple syrup — they used 1½ gallons — 2 pounds of butter and homemade Royalston wild blueberry compote.
Nearly 50 pounds of sausage donated by Craig Twohey (choice of pork or venison) was consumed, and Catey Sandrelli oversaw tables of pastries, muffins and bread, all baked and donated by RCS parents, family and friends. Help-yourself hot and cold beverages included three gallons of apple cider, donated by Phillipston’s Red Apple Farm.
With appetites satisfied, many attendees selected a Chet Hall Memorial T-shirt from traditional and vintage colors, then went into the gym to participate in cash, gift card and theme basket raffles, a tin can auction and for chances on some lovely items.
Large ticket items included bicycles for all ages and sizes; a camping package with tent, and sleeping bags and accoutrements for any outdoor experience. There were high tech coolers, tree stands, a duck blind, and the list went on.
Tables in the gym were staffed by parents, students, current and former staff, faculty and administration. The number and diversity of volunteers seemed to hit home the fact this event is important to the community.
Throughout the entire event, school nurse Sheila (Mrs. Chet Hall III) and sons Chet IV, Dylan and Garrett, helped wherever needed, greeting supporters and accepting hugs. The Hall family has been at each of the memorial breakfasts since their husband/father’s fatal heart attack in April 2014.
Hall said she is thrilled that so many students will be helped this year by scholarships granted in her late husband’s name. Chet Hall III was an ardent supporter of youth athletics and activities, as well as an outspoken member of the Athol-Royalston Regional School Committee. He was committed to seeing a new elementary school constructed in Athol, but never saw the results of his contributions to that effort. He was also an avid outdoor sportsman, which was reflected in many of the raffles, the camouflage tees and by the number of outdoor and sports enthusiasts in attendance.
Scholarship applications are available at Athol High School, the Royalston Community School and Phineas Newton Library in Royalston.