By Per Peterson
A Multi-Purpose Center mainstay returned this past Saturday in a new location, complete with the unmistakable aroma of homemade food.
Shirley Anderson and Sandy Nyquist organized the first Community Potluck since 2019 at the Eagles Club, and about two dozen thankful Tracy residents enjoyed a variety of good, homemade food.
“This is just to get people together,” said Anderson. “This is also for people who don’t play cards, don’t communicate in other ways. It’s just a good thing for people that don’t interact normally in other activities.”
cards, don’t communicate in other ways. It’s just a good thing for people that don’t interact normally in other activities.”
The event for years took place every second and fourth Saturday at the former MPC, which last year was sold by the City of Tracy to make way for the expansion of the Plaid Moose, restaurant/coffee shop. Earlier this month, the Eagles Club opened its doors to seniors on a temporary basis while a solution to the City’s community/senior center conundrum is solved and a replacement to the MPC opens.
“We’ve lowered it down to once a month because of where we’re at,” Anderson said.
All residents are encouraged to attend these community potlucks and to bring a dish. The fare Saturday ranged from hot dishes and fruit, to pasta salads and desserts. There was also juice, water and coffee available.
“Everybody shares,” Anderson said. “This is for people to come together and have a good time. After we get done eating, we clean up, and some people stay and play cards.”
Anderson is appreciative of having the Eagles building available so things like the Community Potluck and Golden Age Club can return.
“It serves a purpose,” she said. “The only thing is when we have a regular bridge club of three tables, and a 500 club of two tables, and we have open 500 with another two tables, and then we have bunko that wants to jump in … I know there’s room here, but there’s a lot of other things here, too. But it is a nice building for us.”
Councilmembers Ron Koopman and George Landuyt were among the 20-plus people to take in Saturday’s event, and were happy it has made a return.
“It’s a nice community get-together,” Landuyt said.
“I think it’s nice that people can get together like this,” added Koopman. “Hopefully, they can keep doing it. We’re showing the people that we care about different things.”
Tracy resident Clint Peterson also enjoyed the meal and the time he was able to share with friends Saturday.
“It’s very nice,” he said. “Very good food and a lot of good company. It was nice the Eagles Club was made available so we can do things like this. We appreciate that.”