Morgantown Area Business Association began their holiday celebrations early with their annual Holiday Dinner on Nov. 17.
“I love it. We have it every year,” said MABA Board President Roseann Thomas. “We don’t have it in December because it’s too busy so we have it in November every year.”
Held at the Caernarvon Township building in Morgantown, about 70 members and guests gathered for food and to celebrate the holidays together.
Thomas particularly enjoys the gifts.
“We all get something and it’s fun,” she said.
Kelly Spica, MABA vice president of events, said the Holiday Dinner is about getting together.
“It’s really about celebrating together,” she said.
Spica said the dinner is also an opportunity for MABA to show appreciation to its members. MABA gives one free meal per business member and everyone in attendance receives a gift.
“We do the white elephant gift exchange which is always fun,” she said.
For Spica, her favorite part of the event is the food.
The meal was catered by Billy Burger and Bakery, owned by Billy and Sally McConnell, and Oscar’s Catering in Pottstown. Billy Burger opened in Elverson in March and are new members of MABA.
Thomas said they wanted a MABA member to cater the Holiday Dinner.
“I love his food over ther,” said Thomas about Billy Burger. “When I heard that he also caters, I thought that’s fantastic.”
The meal featured salad, chicken, beef, beans and potatoes as well as desserts. During announcements, Thomas thanked Billy Burger and Oscar’s Catering, as well as MABA treasurer David Hinkel for purchasing the gifts and being in charge of decorating.
“It’s a fun collaboration of all of our businesses to lay back and enjoy each other’s company,” said Hinkel while waiting in line for food.
“Of course, the gift exchange is always fun,” he added.
MABA member John Lauer of Thrivent Financial in Morgantown enjoys interacting with the other members at the Holiday Dinner.
“It’s probably the best attended event that we have at MABA,” he said. “It’s amazing how festive they can make this room.”
He particularly enjoys the food and the gifts.
“The gifts are fun. We can trade off so you usually walk away with something you want,” said Lauer.
This was Village Library Director Natasha Donaldson’s first time at the Holiday Dinner.
“The decorating seems very nice,” she said, looking forward to participating in the holiday dinner.
MABA member Victoria Edwards, Morgantown, of National Penn Bank, said this was her first time at the dinner also.
“Hope to see other businesses in the community, see what they’re up to and have fun,” she said.
MABA supports businesses in the surrounding communities. All area businesses are encouraged to join and participate in MABA activities and events. For more information on joining please contact Roseann Thomas at 610-721-1483 or 610-286-9531 at A2A Services – Vacs +, 3172 Main St, P. O. Box 768, Morgantown, Pa 19543.
