Striving for "Gold"-en Days

A group of Ewing residents didn't have to travel far to get a taste of the Olympic spirit.

They met Saturday at St. Dominic's Hall for the 105th annual Sunset Banquet, a Ewing tradition honoring area residents ages 70-plus.

This year, guests celebrated the Olympic Games, with music, games, food and prizes associated with the athletic event.

Tradition plays a big part of the banquet. Food for this year's theme included a smorgasbord from around the world, including lasagna, Runza casserole, ramen salad and an angel food cake that's as American as apple pie.

Following the luncheon, guests tested their trivia knowledge. Individuals who guessed correct answers received a gold medal.

Word search and crossword puzzles were also completed and prizes, ranging from a pack of gelatin cups to a box of snack pies, were distributed.

The origin of the banquet goes back to 1917, when the Methodist Episcopal Ladies Aid honored elder members of the community. For 100 years, it was held on the third Wednesday in September.

The banquet was not held in 1945, after fire damaged the church. When the new church was competed by September 1946, it was canceled again.

In 2017, organizers from the Ewing United Methodist-Presbyterian Church recluctantly decided to turn in their aprons.

Most had met or were well past the age requirement for an invitation.

Since 2019, the event has rotated among the four Ewing churches, with members of each church assisting with the event.

In 2020, the event wasn't held due to COVID, according to Ewing UM-P lay pastor Janene Reynolds.