Pictured is Tyyne Pillman, who at 98 is believed to be Kingfield's oldest woman, with Sue Jones and her grandson, Trae, and her daughter Abby, at the Bridging the Gap dinner at Webster Hall. (Laura Dunham photo) KINGFIELD — What a fun day it was for those who attended the Bridging the Gap dinner on Saturday, Nov. 22 at Webster Hall. Over 90 meals were served to those who came to the hall and or delivered to those who were unable to attend, organizer Sue Jones said.

There was lots of turkey, dressing, vegetables, ham, pickles, hot yeast rolls and an assortment of pies. The hot soup, which was a major hit, was made by students from the Maine Mountain Children's House school and students from the Kingfield Elementary School. Older students from the school were at the diners' elbows helping them to get seated and then bringing hot meals and drinks. The older residents "ate it up" as they watched these young people hard at work "Bridging the Gap" between seniors and children.

Tyyne Pillman, believed to be Kingfield's oldest woman resident, said she had lived in Kingfield since she was 11, coming with her mother and brother, Eva and Eino Niemi from Finland. Although Pillman and her late husband, Alfred, had no children, she quickly said, "William Niemi is my son having raised him since he was three."

Jones said that there was enough food for 95 meals and only $5 had to be spent on Saturday's meals due to the generosity of the New Life Community Church in New Vineyard and local donations. "Someone is always coming into the post office and asking if they can help," Jones said.

"Next month, we are going to adopt a grandparent and when the meal is delivered before Christmas there will be a gift too," Jones noted.

Jones said that this wonderful program, which has grown with volunteers, was started by Tracey Bessey who took on the project to feed just the elderly at the Kingfield Senior Center as a project while attending school.

"We had $1,000 donated from Sugarloaf and the Kingfield Recreation Program and have only used $300 of that. What started with feeding 13 people has now grown to 90 or more," Jones said.