Angela Brandt Havre Daily News abrandt@havredailynews.com
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Kitty Williams is grateful to many of her fellow Havreites, including one person whose name she doesn’t even know. Anonymous benefactors have continuously funded a turkey day community dinner for years. “It’s an anonymous donor that’s all I know,” said Williams, who chairs the group of volunteers coordinating the gathering. “Thank the Lord for them. Without them, IGA, the volunteers and St. Jude there would be no dinner” Last year, about 50 turkeys along with all the fixings were served to about 800 people. About 250 meals were delivered to homes in the Havre area. The sustenance is available at no cost to all who are interested. The feast will begin Thanksgiving day at 11 a.m. in St. Jude’s Parish Center and run until 2 p.m. Volunteers are needed for each aspect of the dinner including cooks to dishwashers to entertainment. The preparations will begin Wednesday, Nov. 22, with the scrubbing and chopping of vegetables among other chores. Williams has taken the day off from work to create the meal, which will include cranberries, corn, mashed potatoes and sage dressing. “It’s going to be a long two days. We have a long to-do list,” she said. The work will continue Thankdsgiving Day at about 6 a. m. in the Parish Center. Gary & Leo’s IGA will cook the turkeys, dinner rolls and pumpkin pies. The rest of the spread will be handmade by volunteers. Last year, the feed attracted about 70 Hi-Line residents who donated their time and energy. As in years past, Montana State University-Northern’s men’s basketball team will aid in the delivery of meals. Take-out dinners can be scheduled through the North Central Senior Citizens Center at 265-5464 beginning on Monday, Nov. 20., at 8 a.m. until Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m. The deliveries will be made Thanksgiving morning. No reservations are needed for dine-in meals. Sign-in sheets will be placed by the facility’s entrances to keep a head count of diners. Something the volunteers tried last feast will be continued this year. Greeters will say howdy to attendees along with helping those in need dish their food and find a seat. The parish center is handicap accessible. Williams asked Pastor Michael Dahle of Messiah Lutheran Church to help provide entertainment for the gathering. Dahle, who plays an array of instruments, said he is unsure which he will bring to the feast. “I’m seeing who I can take with me,” he said. The pastor, who will perform “good old fashioned stuff” including hymns and gospel tunes, is continuing his recruiting efforts. “If I play alone, fine. It’s just a neat thing to provide music and entertainment for people,” he added. Anyone interested in entertaining the crowd is encouraged to call Dahle at 265-2334. No gifts of money or food will be accepted, Williams said. “Thank yous are welcome but absolutely no donations of any kind,” she added. Leftovers are taken to the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen. People who want to volunteer for other aspects of the dinner can contact Williams at 265-1007 between 6 and 9 p.m. or call Alan Sorensen at 265-6795, ext. 15, or email him at hdn@havredailynews. Com.
