A few days before Thanksgiving, these ladies, and some others not shown, were in the kitchen of Sacred Heart Church, preparing pumpkin pies for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
Can you smell those pies? Makes your mouth water just looking at them, doesn't it.
Sun just coming up. Lights on in the kitchen of the United Church of Christ on Main St. North. Preparations are well under way. Since about 4:00 AM.
Check the temperature of those birds. They look great, and smell even better, but the thermometer has the last word.
Once out of the oven, there is a cooling down time, and then the carvers get to work. Every one and expert. They just can't seem to agree on who has the right technique.
Festive, isn't it. Lots of behind the scenes work goes into making this look as good as it does.
Meanwhile, back at Sacred Heart Church, Alex, Deacon Joe, and Father Joe prepare for the Thanksgiving morning Mass. Many people attend this celebration to give thanks for all they have received.
It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without some cider. Lots of cider, with a carafe at each table. Volunteers continue working, setting tables, preparing for their guests arrival.
Can't make it to the dinner? No problem. These folks will be glad to make up a take out meal for you, and deliver it to your home.
Katie and her grandma were there to greet the guests as they arrive. Hang up your coat, have some appetizer, join your friends.
More take out meals being prepared. Among those who receive a dinner are the first responders on duty around town, in the fire houses, police stations, and ambulance stations. No one should feel left out today. It's just a small thank you for all they do to keep us safe and well.
The serving line is beginning to be manned. Soon the guests will arrive, and start to enjoy dinner.
And just in time. The guests have already started to arrive. No special reserved seats, just find a friend to sit with. And by the end of the day, everyone is a friend.
Rev. Walter Pitman, pastor of UCC, asks for God's blessing on the guests and volunteers.
And so another meal starts. Months of planning and preparation have gone into what seems a simple event. Take a moment to give thanks for all our many blessings. We hope to see you all again next year.Special thanks to our friends from Southbury Baptist Church who have been doing the clean up of these dinners from the first. Without them, it just wouldn't go as smoothly as it does. And thanks to everyone who attended, your presence made our day. How can we ever offer enough thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who made this day the success it was. Months of planning, hours of intense work, and then it's over until next year.