Discussions

I was reading one of my Honduran FB friends posts last night and she commented how she has mixed emotions at this time of year. On one hand, she's happy to have a new life and opportunity to advance in her new country, but understandably, she's also very homesick for her family which she hasn't seen in years.  
I'm sure there are many Hondurans, Colombians, Salvadorans who feel as she does celebrating the holidays in a foreign country so far removed from their loved ones. Yes, the Westman Traditional Christmas Dinner is open to anyone, but it would be so much more like home if there were a venue available that served Latin dishes that they would enjoy on Christmas. Something to consider for next Christmas/New Years as a way of bringing a Latin Christmas to Westman for so many expatriates missing their homeland.

and I hope a bunch of the Hispanics plan something for next Christmas for themselves.

Yes, it would be nice. So, this will give you something to start organizing for next year.

You could also invite them to your home for Christmas to celebrate with your family. Cook them a dish from their homeland.

but I live in a 2BR apartment. Would be VERY difficult to shoehorn that many people into such a small space :-D . Given enough advance time, a rental hall or hotel salon would be the perfect space to accommodate a group of the expected size

Why not plan something for next year then? As you said a small hall with kitchen would be perfect for such an event. I am certain that many of the people you have described would be happy to volunteer their time to organize a dinner. Great idea!

Well get a hold of some of the people that want this start looking for a place to hold it talk to groups places like senior for senior you can rent out the hall with the kitchen.

By next year's Christmas we may not even remember, why don't do something for New Year's??

LeoHdz said "By next year's Christmas we may not even remember, why don't do something for New Year's?? "

For the same reason that nothing can be done this year for Christmas, New Year's dinner celebration would be equally unfeasible. This issue is not going to go away by next season. A committee should be formed so that we can address this in time for next holidays. The Westman Traditional Christmas dinner began with humble roots: there's no reason why this idea couldn't be brought to fruition as well. It just needs a few people to set things in motion.

I understand that immigrants miss their families back home. At least they can call or make arrangements to travel and see their families and share a meal. Lots of us don't even have our loved ones with us anymore so we can't call them or visit them. So what do we do? We continue to celebrate with memories and whatever food/traditions we want. The empty chairs at the dinner table are a little more than feeling homesick but many of us survive the holidays without "mama's cooking".  
 
I am going to assume that people of different ethnicities/religions DO prepare their customary meals for their different holidays and that they don't adopt a ham/turkey/stuffing/spud/cranberry Christmas with gravy on top in their homes.  
 
I have to ask the OP, is this about starting an ethnic dinner tradition or putting together a "free" ethnic dinner for everyone, regardless of culture/customs who might want to attend?  
 
Best wishes for the new venture. I hope to read of the success of the new dinner next Christmas.

My proposal is to host a Christmas meal for Brandon's Hispanic people. It's not easy for them to simply return home to their families for Christmas. That involves considerable expense, permission to be away from work, travel visas. I'm not saying this dinner would be limited to our Hispanic population, but by targeting that segment we could ease their homesickness for one day.

Alvin Hansen said "My proposal is to host a Christmas meal for Brandon's Hispanic people. It's not easy for them to simply return home to their families for Christmas. That involves considerable expense, permission to be away from work, travel visas. I'm not saying this dinner would be limited to our Hispanic population, but by targeting that segment we could ease their homesickness for one day. "

What about the Chinese or Filipinos in our community? I'm sure that they must miss their families and Christmas traditions too!  
 
The Westman Traditional Dinner is for ALL, regardless of ethnicity and that's what makes it so great!  
 
Merry Christmas to All who celebrate Christmas

Thanks for your wishes and for caring that much, blessings for you!

it can be a tough time for many, regardless of ethnicity, this dinner is to bring the community together. There are many Brandonites who do not live close to family, who can not travel, who are alone, enjoy it, be thankful, it's there so all can experience the joy of the season.

My suggestion is to start with a potluck dinner for new year this year if you can find a hall to book which probably you will be able to. With the potluck they can bring and share their favourite dishes and it does not need as much planning as having a dinner all prepared by you. The important thing is not being alone and having a nice get to gather with others.

I do not live in Brandon so cannot be a part of your solution. Let me begin by saying Thanks for making this suggestion. Your apartment may be too small to host.  
 
To rent a larger venue may run into a few bucks. How about a local church. Most churches have a kitchen and fellowship hall.  
 
I know we have granted use of our building for friends and families to gather for a meal. Keep us posted of how this community can help you.  
 
New Years probably would be too rushed to plan for this year but a mid winter supper, Valentine's Day or Easter are other possibilities

Great idea Alvin!  
 
Rocky Addison had a similar idea over 30 years ago. He started the Westman Traditional Christmas dinner with 30 people in a small Church on 8th St. Now its grown to serve over 4500 meals each year!  
 
Don't forget about all the other immigrants, there are more then just Latin ones. No one should be alone at Christmas!!  
 
Edited by RustyTrebourne, 2016-12-25 10:01:59

On 10 th dontown organizes many events with a Latino focus. This is a good connection for many Latinos as the owners are very friendly and well connected with Latinos in the area. Good place for anyone new to Brandon to find connections with others from their homeland or just needing to have a conversation in their first language Spanish.