Chinook's Community Thanksgiving Dinner started in the 1980's

No one is exactly sure what year the first Community Thanksgiving Dinner was held in Chinook, but most agree it was in the 1980's. First held in the Presbyterian Church, the event later moved to the Chinook Senior Center when the present facility was completed. Organizers of the most recent edition of the community dinner say the number of diners has stayed fairly consistent and financial support has remained generous and adequate. It's one of the first community get togethers that kicks off the upcoming holiday season.

This year's menu followed traditions fare: seven turkeys with the trimmings including dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, buns and a relish tray. All this followed by pie, lots of pies. Major financial supporters included the Inman family, NorthWestrn Energy and First Bank of Montana. Many diners also make a contribution though no one is asked to pay for the dinner. Volunteers do the 'heavy lifting' to make the dinner happen.

Jay Eslick, one of the regulars who helps organize the dinner, said, "We put out the word for pies and we count on about 25 being donated." There was plenty of turkey and the trimmings, but Eslick noted one slight error on the part of planners. He said, "We didn't plan on the popularity of sweet potatoes. We bought 19 institutional sized cans and prepared them all, still we ran out of sweet potatoes." He admitted that generous amounts of butter and brown sugar may have made the 'sweet' potatoes a crowd pleaser.

Despite some decline in the local population over the years, the number of diners and requests for deliveries remains fairly constant. This year about 120 dined at the center and volunteers delivered 45+ meals to homes. Betty and Mark Billmayer headed up the volunteers for their first time this year. Asked about how this year's event went, Betty said, "It went very smoothly. We had lots of good help."

The "Journal" thanks those who helped in so many ways to keep this great Thanksgiving tradition going.