Men’s Club Serves Food, Fellowship During Beacon Falls Concerts

From June through mid-August, the town hosts a free summer concert series, featuring bands performing in the church’s park gazebo on the grounds of St. Michael Church.

“The concerts bring everyone together in the community,” says Parks and Recreation Commission member Caitlin Battis, who also organizes the performing bands. “The town loves it and the kids have a place to run around.”

Concertgoers are invited to bring their own blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets. They can purchase refreshments from the Men’s Club during the concerts.

A longstanding ministry of St. Michael Parish, the Men’s Club supports the parish and the community at large.

The men sell hamburgers and cheeseburgers, hot dogs, a specialty sandwich, drinks, snacks and desserts. On occasion, they pair themed concerts with custom dishes, such as kielbasa and sauerkraut for bands playing Polish music.

To kick off the concerts, Father Joy Jacob, pastor of St. Michael Parish, leads the Men’s Club in a group prayer. While the music is underway, he walks the grounds and greets everyone.

“The concerts are a good collaboration between the town and the church,” Father Jacob says. “People are so happy.”

Men’s Club newcomer Brian Malota, a culinary instructor for the state of Connecticut, conducts food handling training for the club. After a training session with the men, he was invited to join the club.

“How could I not enjoy this?” he says with a smile, taking the reins grilling hot dogs during concert nights.

The Men’s Club donates proceeds to the parish, the town’s food bank, the community and “anybody who needs it,” says longtime member and past president Raymond Binkowski. The club previously purchased a new sign for the church.

As they volunteer, the men create a tight-knit community and a sense of brotherhood. Throughout the year, the Men’s Club sponsors a Super Bowl sandwich drive, prepares refreshments for the church fair in May, organizes can and bottle drives and hosts year-round church dinners to bring parishioners together. Plus, the club is a sponsor of the town’s Ron Barksdale Memorial Fishing Rodeo at Matthies Park, serving up breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks during the event.

Father Jacob acknowledges that the Men’s Club is a vital contributor to the parish and is always ready to lend a hand whenever the need arises. “It’s a fantastic group,” he adds.

Men’s Club member Peter Betkowski, who is a lifelong parishioner of St. Michael Parish, says he feels “very blessed to be part of activities with fellow club members.”