Posted By Daniel Pearce DELHI NEWS-RECORD

The annual Belgian Club Father's Day brunch on Sunday was more than a sit-down meal at a good price.

It was a time to celebrate dads, to remember those who had passed on, and to recall life in Delhi years ago.

The meal was a bittersweet moment for Yolande Lammens, who came to the hall with her family — except her husband Andrew, who died a year and a half ago.

“I’m glad to be with the kids,” Yolande said, pointing to her children and grandchildren. “He (my husband) should be with us.”

Sitting at one of the long tables set up in the hall, Pat McLaren recalled the time 60 years ago when she was about age seven and the club had just started.

McLaren, now a widow, would play upstairs with other kids while her parents and grandparents — who were original shareholders — socialized in the “beverage room” downstairs.

“It was booming then,” she said.

The annual brunch is the work of 25 or more volunteers from the hall who cook and serve the food.

“It brings back memories because we used to own Gus’s (a restaurant that was next door to the hall),” Norma Lebeer said as she buttered toast in the kitchen with a brush. “We used to feed 300 teenagers (from the high school) every noon hour.”

The brunch was busy.

“It’s the most we’ve ever had,” said volunteer Lisette Holman of Delhi, who estimated the crowd in excess of 600 people.

David Van Laecke of Walsh wore a combination crazy tie-Father’s Day card made by his five-year-old daughter in kindergarten.

“It’s sweet,” Van Laecke said of his tie, which was tied around his neck with a piece of yarn.