Barnesville Area News

Temperanceville Picnic Great Success

07/31/2025 @ 10:44 pm Community, Events, News
Temperanceville Picnic Great Success
by Lisa Gallagher, Barnesville Area News

On July 27, 2025, St. Mary Church of Temperanceville held its annual Temperanceville Picnic. St. Mary Church is the second oldest Catholic parish in Ohio, dating back to 1822, and its congregation consists of about 35 families. This fundraising event included chicken or beef dinners, bingo, instant bingo, baked goods and fancy stand, and raffle tickets. The church served 702 meals in three hours. Early estimations show the profit for the picnic to be approximately $13,600, which is used to run the parish.

In addition to being a fundraiser, the Temperanceville Picnic is an opportunity for families to work together as a church community. As Becky Wells stated, “There is no job too small. Everyone is appreciated and needed for this picnic to be a success.” Many families have multiple generations who participate. For example, Becky’s mother, Martha Stephen, her brothers Roger, Larry, and Bobby and their wives, her husband Joe, and her sons Davey and Carter all worked at the picnic.

The McLaughlin family has organized and participated in the picnic for years. Nancy prepared the beef for the dinners, baked pies, cakes and cookies, and worked in the kitchen. Her brothers and sisters all had job assignments as well.

Nancy McLaughlin makes the gravy for the sliced beef. Nancy smiles and laughs while in the kitchen, showing her cooking talent.
Stephanie Neuhart and Fred McLaughlin sell dine-in dinner tickets.
John McLaughlin prepares the ice cold lemonade and water.
Jean Gallagher and Marge McLaughlin sell raffle tickets for 22 prizes including a quilt.
Sisters Bernadine McLaughlin and Rita Byers take a break to chat.

Donna Hill, her children, and grandchildren have traditionally barbequed the chicken. Donna shared that she and her husband, Dale, started barbequing chickens over 40 years ago. They would start with the Summerfield fire department’s event on the last weekend of April and would barbeque chicken every Saturday and Sunday until October. Dale has since died, but the family continues the tradition at Temperanceville.

Donna Hill and grandson Matt Thompson make a great team. Matt carries the chicken in from the BBQ pit, and Donna expertly cuts the chicken into halves.
Blake Hupp, Fred Schafer, Jacob Hupp, and Duane Hill tend to the fire pit and keep close watch over the chickens.
Matt Thompson, Leah Hill, and Dayle Hill remove the BBQ chickens off of the pipes and carry them into the kitchen. (Blake Hupp and Steve Gallagher are also pictured.)

Several individuals, organizations, and businesses donate prizes for the raffle. Raffle Ticket Winners are:

  • $1,000 – Shelley Burkhart
  • $250 – Stephen Byers
  • $200 – Jill Clift
  • Quilt – Stephanie Neuhart
  • $200 – Carol Hupp
  • $100 – Lynzie Toliver
  • $100 – Colby Rinehart
  • $100 – Nettie Nau
  • $100 – Dwayne Johnson
  • $100 – Theresa Gallagher
  • $100 – Dolores Wells
  • $100 – Casen Pratz
  • $100 – Emily Stenger
  • $100 – Stella Lucas
  • Comedy Show – Amanda Bates
  • $100 Riesbeck Gift Card – Casen Pratz
  • Outdoor Hanging Decoration – Bill Miller
  • $100 – Stephanie Secrest
  • $100 – Linda Ellis
  • $100 – Jenny Miller
  • $50 – John McLaughlin
  • $100 – Diane Matthews
Erica Hittle and Cindy Stephen are in charge of cooking the noodles.
Sandy Lerner receives the takeout orders through the kitchen window.
Cierra Burkhart, Ireland McGee, and Emily McGee are working the baked goods and fancy stand.
Tim Bishop and Connor Bailey are serving burgers, hot dogs and drinks in the refreshment stand.
All hands on deck in the fellowship hall kitchen before the picnic begins.
The Takeout Crew is (left to right) Mandy Burkhart, Beth Wehr, Stacy Wells, and Jody Williams. This crew packed 311 meals for takeout.
The hardest part is picking dessert!
Picnic attendees enjoy the delicous food and the fellowship with others.
Rose Grear checks out the goodies at the bake sale.

After eating, many enjoyed playing bingo. The bingo games were run by Tom Miller, Joe Wells, Stacy Winters, and Duane Carpenter.

The balloon lady, Johanna Rockwell, twists balloons into flowers, animals and princess wands.
This young attendee tries out her new balloon princess wand.
Melba Hughes is all smiles while she collects trays, busses tables, and hears how great the food is.
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