Giving thanks with friends and family

By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Editor

The San Moritz Lodge in Crestline and the Hootman Center in Running Springs were both bustling with activity on Thanksgiving Day as folks gathered to give thanks with friends and family.

Volunteers at both sites prepared the dinners – turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, green beans, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce and, of course, pies.

The dinner at the San Moritz Lodge was coordinated by a committee of local organizations: the Crestline-Lake Gregory Rotary Club, the Crest Forest Seniors Citizens Club, Lake Gregory Church and many other community members. Overseeing the kitchen was Chef Fred Keville.

The committee is grateful to the Lake Gregory Company for donating the use of the lodge. And they are grateful to the many donors – including Supervisor Dawn Rowe – who made the dinner possible. Many thanks to Goodwin & Sons Market for donating all the apple and pumpkin pies.

The tables were decorated once again this year by turkeys, cards with heartfelt messages and pumpkins marked with grateful feelings – all created by the EarlyAct Clubs at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School. One woman went from table to table, reading all the cards. Another made sure to read the sentiments on the pumpkins.

The volunteers were so well organized by Susan Markovich that by 10 a.m. on Nov. 28 all the turkeys had been either fried or smoked and were being carved. The deliveries had been completed – 55 meals to Meals on Wheels recipients plus another 33 meals to folks who had requested them.

The doors opened at 11:30 with folks choosing their seats and then lining up for their meals. Prior to the meal being served, local contractor Scott Markovich offered a blessing.

As he did last year, Santa arrived with his family; he needs the energy derived from the Thanksgiving meal to help his elves create all those gifts and then deliver them.

A special guest at the San Moritz Lodge was Kalyn Shubnell, Penny Shubnell’s daughter. The mother and daughter were planning to be at the Thanksgiving dinner together so Kalyn chose to attend in her mother’s honor. Wearing her mother’s Crest Forest Senior Citizens’ name badge, she served pie to the hundreds of guests throughout the afternoon.

Some folks came, ate their dinner and left. Others lingered, chatting with new friends and enjoying another piece of pie.

At the Hootman Center, volunteers from the Golden Oaks Senior Citizens prepared a full Thanksgiving meal. From 1 to 3 p.m., guests arrived, filled their plates and gave their thanks for the opportunity to share the meal together.

Scotty the Jester was there to entertain kids of all ages. There were games and prizes.

These dinners could not take place without the work of the many volunteers behind the scenes. Some spent the entire holiday making sure others had a happy day. To them we all say thank you – we are grateful for your dedication.