Small Town News

Westwood Rotary hosts community picnic

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More than 200 people attended the Old Timers-New Comers Picnic hosted by Westwood/Lake Almanor Rotary at George Young Park Saturday, Aug. 22. This year, for the first time, it was held in conjunction with the West-wood School Reunion.

"We were pleased with the turnout, especially since this was the first year to combine the two events," said Karron White, the Westwood Rotary president.

White said the picnic has traditionally been held around the Fourth of July however with more and more events scheduled in that time slot the Rotary Club decided to try a different month altogether.

Those attending the gathering can purchase hamburgers, hotdogs and pit barbeque beef dinners or sandwiches. The event has become known for these specialty beef dinners. This year 284 pounds of roast were prepared, said White.

The preparation of the pit barbeque meat is a three day process. According to White, club members meet on the Thursday evening before the event to spice the meat and wrap it in burlap. Early, Friday morning members transport at least four cords of firewood donated by Holt Logging to George Young Park.

This year the barbecue pit was dug by Randy Buchanan, the general manager of the Westwood Community Services District.

The wood is placed in the pit and lit on fire and Rotary members continue to feed the blaze throughout the day until all of the wood has burned down to white, hot coals.

"This is an extremely hot job and the fire is never left unattended. Rotarians stand by all day with a garden hose ready," said White.

About 4:30 p.m. sheets of tin are laid over the hot coals and the burlap wrapped meat is soaked with water, placed in the pit and covered with dirt. According to Rotarian John Cox, the meat cooks for only five to six hours and then the heat from the ground simmers it overnight. It is removed from the pit Saturday early in the afternoon.

All proceeds made from the pit barbecue sales and full service bar at the picnic are used by Rotary to benefit the community, said White.



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© 2009 Westwood PinePress Westwood, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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