Over 135 upper Pontiac seniors were treated to a free Valentine’s dinner and dance in Chapeau on Friday evening, hosted by local community organization West Pontiac Connects at the Harrington Hall Community Centre. 

The feast, which featured scalloped potatoes, ham, carrots, coleslaw, and Gene O’Brien’s famous rice pudding all cooked by volunteers, was free thanks to funding received from CISSSO’s Le Réseau d’Éclaireurs program. 

Event coordinator Kristeen Poirier said while this was the third year the organization hosted a special Valentine’s party, it was the first time she opted to bring in a live band instead of a movie after dinner. 

“There were so many smiling faces and lots of laughter in the hall all night,” Poirier said. “We received plenty of positive feedback about having the band this year instead of the movie like in previous years – it really seemed to make the night extra special.”