Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner 2003
This was the tenth anniversary year for the Southbury Community Thanksgiving Dinner. This year, the dinner was held at Sacred Heart Church. The following photos show only a small part of the work that went into the event in the months leading up to Thanksgiving, the many volunteers who make it happen every year, and the wonderful crowd of people who had a fulfilling time of food, fun, and fellowship. As always, our thanks go out to Diane for all the work she does to coordinate and oversee the entire operation.
Early in the morning on Thanksgiving Day, while almost everyone else is sleeping, a faithful group of men gather in the kitchen to start the turkeys cooking. It takes a lot of determination to get to the kitchen about 5:00 AM, but this is a wonderful group, and without them, there would be no turkey on Thanksgiving.
And don't they look alert for this time of the day. Well, actually, the day is about half over already for those who get up early.
Of course, there are other things to keep one busy on Thanksgiving morning. Pots to be stirred, stoves to be tended, all the usual tasks.
Once out of the oven, its time to bring in the carvers. A whole new crew arrives at the kitchen just in time to start wielding their carving blades, and reduce the turkeys to tender slices. Nothing is wasted. Even the bare bones will be used to make turkey soup.
We need a special thanks to Barry for his faithful service in the kitchen. Every year he makes the trip from New Hampshire or Massachusetts to cook the turkeys. This, however, will be Barry's last year. The good news is, he is planning to bring the idea of a Community Thanksgiving Dinner to his new hometown of Greenfield, MA. Many Thanks, Barry. Come back any time.
As usual, the tables were set, ready for the gathering guests. Don't you wish you could get your home to look this good. Be sure a lot of work went into this, planning for months for this one special day.
Did someone say PIES! Well, you've come to the right place. In one of the side rooms, apple (Provided, as usual, by the Girl Scouts) and pumpkin pies are prepared for the table. My, don't they look delicious. And all home made, too. I can almost smell them from here.
And for those who can't make it to the church, the dinner will come to you. These good folks spent the morning preparing meals for delivery to those who were not able to be with us in person. No one should feel left out on a day like this, and so we reach out in faith to our distant brothers and sisters.
Thanks to Joe Tremaglio for providing us with beautiful piano playing. It makes me really appreciate the many talents that have gone into making this event special for everyone. Fine details like the music are just an example of the effort involved.
Come on, Linda. Everything looks fine. Really. Thanks to Linda for being the driving force behind starting and carrying on the dinner. This year, Linda handed over the reins to Dianne, but some habits are hard to stop.
Two of the many decorations that graced the room, a beautiful cornicopia made from bread, and some tasty, and good looking pineapple.
Last minute checks, just before our guests arrive. Is everything in place? Is anything missing. No, just our happy, and hungry guests that will be arriving any minute.
And when they do start to arrive, they will be greated by this seasonal display in the atrium, and a basket of bread. Sacred Heart always has some bread to donate to the dinner, and the guests are encouraged to bring some home to carry with them the blessings of the day.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Dan and Rick are busy with the potatoes. Always a staple at any meal, it takes a lot of spuds to feed this large a group.
Here's a few of the many people who were able to enjoy each others company for the day, have a delicious meal, and not worry about all the work that goes into cleaning up after.
With volunteers like these, how can anyone refuse their offer to help. Turkey, anyone?
This year, the kitchen staff decided that a more professional look was in order. Didn't I see him on the Food Channel? Yes, its the Cast Iron Chef!!
Food in place, Servers at the ready. Hungry guests. Looks like we're about ready. Lets Eat!!
And as the day got really busy, the kitchen volunteers were always able to keep up. Looks like it might be a little hectic, though.
As usual, our friends from the Southbury Baptist Church were on hand to finish up. Dishes washed and put away, tables cleaned, memories filed.
Most of the photos in this remembrance were taken by Hank Rapp of St. James Lutheran Church. Thanks Hank. And here he is with his lovely wife, Gloria. Who took the picture, Hank?
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