For the first time since February — and the final time this season — Newtown United Methodist Church hosted a Spaghetti Dinner on June 6.

With COVID-19 pandemic protocols in place, however, it was not the usual fill-the-church-hall-and-everyone-eat-together monthly event.

Instead, a small group of volunteers took orders in advance and then spent three days setting up to serve over 100 dinners. They then reconvened last Saturday afternoon, when they finished prepping, cooking, and handing off the dinners to those who had ordered in advance.

Candice Rothe was the contact person for those who placed orders in recent weeks. Rothe told The Newtown Bee that 127 dinner orders were received.

“We knew that ahead of Saturday because we needed to provide that to the health department in advance,” she said June 4.

“The numbers are down substantially” from what would normally be served during the monthly event, she said Saturday. “But it’s still something, and we’re hoping it’s a success. Depending on how tonight goes, we may do this again… in the fall, when there’s a lot less humidity,” she quickly noted.

The NUMC First Saturday Pasta Dinners usually run September through June. The dinners have been offered regularly since 1989; this past March marked the event’s 30th anniversary.

Last weekend, the church’s fellowship hall and kitchen were busy with activity. One small group was in the kitchen, putting final touches on dinners that included pasta, sauce and optional meatballs and/or sausages, according to what was ordered.

As is longstanding tradition, Saturday’s menu also included garlic bread, salad, fruit cup, and dessert.

Long tables had been laid out with paper bags labeled for each individual, couple, family, or group who placed an order. The lids of serving containers had been marked with what was to go inside each container, and as 4 pm approached, the containers began to be filled.

When placing their order, diners were also given a pick-up time for Saturday.

“We have no more than five cars in the parking lot during a ten-minute period,” Rothe explained.

Standing near the door of the church hall, Antoinette Mancini was tasked with greeting each driver, checking their order, collecting payment, and then handing off the meals.

Vehicles arrived from the upper parking lot, using the building’s western driveway to access the lower rear parking lot.

At the door to the church hall, Mancini would be waiting for them. After pick up, vehicles continued forward, and then used the eastern driveway to return to the upper lot and exit onto Church Hill Road.

Some drivers received their orders through their front window. Many accepted Mancini’s offer to place the dinners in the rear seat or even the trunk of a vehicle. Either way, most mentioned being very happy to have the monthly event return, even in the temporarily altered capacity.

Among those enjoying the curbside service was Claire Theune, who said she was looking forward to not cooking.

George Hanlon also took advantage of the curbside event. A regular at the pasta dinner events, Hanlon said Saturday he was a big fan of the regular event.

“I love the dinner,” he said. “I come all the time. It’s a good meal.”