Community Thanksgiving Dinner to Honor Dorris Hamilton

The Chinook Community Thanksgiving Dinner is being planned. Volunteers are coming together to make it happen and organizers are set to provide the details of this years event.

Dorris Hamilton and her husband John were instrumental in the early years of the Community Dinner, joining just a year or two after the first dinner. Larry Wisch, who was part of many dinners through the years, stated that volunteers have tried their best to determine the exact year it began, but the consensus is the early 1980's.

John passed away 20 years ago, and following her retirement Dorris continued to donate items to the dinner, including her famous Pumpkin Bars. Organizers of this years event have decided to honor Dorris by dedicating this years Community Dinner in her memory.

"Dorris was our gravy lady for years, she was pretty adamant about nobody touching her ladle," said Larry. "Both her John were much more than just a hand in the kitchen they donated pies, cakes, salads whatever was needed and john always helped in the kitchen, deliveries wherever he was needed."

Larry has fond memories of Dorris and John working the community dinners and can't say enough about them, "The both of them were very generous with their time and the stuff they brought for it. They were pretty dedicated people, they were really a neat couple and it was a pleasure to have known the both of them and worked with them through the years."

The event has continued its long run because of many dedicated community members through the years, "They were not only a couple but they were a great working team, it was a privileged to be able to work with the Hamiltons. Just the same, the whole group, everyone else through the years that were willing to give their time their service, their goods. We are lucky to live in a community where so many people are willing to donate their time and effort to help each other out," concluded Wisch.

Jay Eslick took over as Director when Dorris decided to retire and worked just one year with her, but remembers it fondly, "Dorris put me in charge of stirring the gravy. And, she made sure I was doing it right! About every two minutes she checked on me!"

Through the years the Community Thanksgiving Dinners in Chinook have overcome several obstacles, inclement weather, volunteers, funds, but in the end enough help was always secured, enough food was always made and the community got together for a good time each Thanksgiving.

Last year the Covid-19 Pandemic messed up the plans of all kinds of school, community and social gatherings. As a result the Community Dinner couldn't be held at the Chinook Senior Center as it had been for decades.

Organizers made a dedicated effort that some form of the dinner could still be held. The Traditional Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner was replaced with a Ham Dinner with all the trimmings. The operation was relocated to the Blaine County Fairground Commercial Building and meals were limited to delivery or pickup only.

Originally the dinner was held at 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 together's to kick off the upcoming holiday season.

Betty and Mark Billmayer headed up their first Chinook Community Thanksgiving Dinner in 2016 and are back to head the annual holiday dinner this year and are aided once again by Kathy O'Brien and Jay Eslick.

This year, the 'get together' will be a twist of the old way and the new. The dinner will once again be held at the Commercial Building. Folks will be able to order delivery or have the option to Dine-in. Their will be no pick up.

The menu will be similar to last year and feature ham, cheesy potatoes, green beans, relish, buns and pumpkin bars. No charge. Free will offering for anyone who wants to.

To sign up for deliveries call the senior center at 357-2648, or Kathy O'Brien at 357-2937 or fill out the attached slip and drop off at the Senior Center.

If you or someone you know is interested in receiving a Thanksgiving dinner, simply call the Chinook Senior Center at 357-2648 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Deliveries will start at 11:00 a.m. Thanksgiving day. Those wishing to Dine-in can stop by the Commercial Building between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. Volunteers are always welcome to help in the kitchen or with deliveries. "The day before, Wednesday, we'll set up and get some things ready starting at about 9:00 a.m. Thanksgiving day we'll be there by 8:00 a.m. to finish up, do deliveries, serve and clean up. Anyone who wants to help either day could call me at 357-4100," stated Betty Billmayer.