Each year, folks from across the mountain gather at the San Moritz Lodge in Crestline for a free community Thanksgiving dinner. Several years ago, the Rotary Club of Crestline-Lake Gregory took over sponsorship of the dinner.
Last year, on Thanksgiving 2025, we served and delivered nearly 1,000 meals – turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce, rolsl and butter and pie.
Could the Rotary Club do this on its own? Hardly! They formed a committee of other nonprofits who came together to make sure this dinner took place.
A crew from a local church stayed all night the night before to smoke and deep fry 75 turkeys. Chef Fred Keville headed up a team in the kitchen to prepare all the sides and then plate them for the guests. Other volunteers boxed up the to-go meals, which were delivered by other volunteers. Still other volunteers set the tables – including decorations made by the children from the EarlyAct Clubs at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School – and others bussed the tables and served water and lemonade to the guests.
So, what is happening this year? In partnership with the Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club, the Rotary Club of Crestline-Lake Gregory is putting on two fundraisers, both of which promise to be great fun, to raise the necessary funds to mount the Thanksgiving dinner.
On Saturday, Sept. 19, Burgers ‘n Bingo will take place at Leisure Shores, the seniors’ clubhouse. Chef Fred will begin serving burgers and sides at 4:00 p.m., with food service continuing until 7:00 p.m. The cost of the food is $10. Then, at 6:00 p.m. Bingo will begin. All prizes will be paid in cash which is why all purchases will be in cash. Players must be over 18. In addition to the Bingo games, there will be pull tab games, a Power Ball and a 50/50 drawing.
Six Bingo games will be $25 with an extra six available for $10. Pull tabs are $2 as is the Power Ball.
But that’s not all! On Sunday, Sept. 27 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. the Rotary Club is hosting a Community BBQ at the San Moritz Lodge. Guests will have a choice of a pulled pork sandwich or a classic burger, four sides – smoky baked beans, classic Southern coleslaw, classic yellow potato salad and corn salad – and sweet iced tea or lemonade.
But, you ask, what about dessert? We are reaching out to the community – to clubs, churches and community members – asking folks to bring their favorite desserts to the BBQ to share with everyone. RSVP to crestlinerotary2026.2027@gmail.com and let us know what you’d like to bring.
Cost is just $20 with children under 12 only $10. We are encouraging folks to purchase their tickets in advance at crestlinerotary.com.
The San Moritz Lodge will be humming with more than great conversation all afternoon. We have lined up three local musicians who will share their talent with you. We’re calling them the 3Ds – Dale Fisher, Duane Stinnett and Destiny Love.
Come and enjoy Chef Fred’s delicious food and stay for a song or two – or stay all afternoon! We will also have a silent auction and raffle prizes.
The proceeds from these two fundraisers will go toward this year’s free community Thanksgiving dinner.
Many thanks to Chef Fred and to Virginia Paleno of the Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club for helping to organize these events. And thanks to the Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club for the use of Leisure Shores and the Lake Gregory Company for the use of the San Moritz Lodge. Additional thanks to the musicians for sharing their talent at the BBQ.
Donations to the Thanksgiving dinner are always welcome and may be made at crestlinerotary.com.
0 Comments