Editor:
The photos in last week’s paper clearly showed the crowd size and the fun of that community Thanksgiving dinner. Now, here’s a bit of the “story behind the pictures.”
Chef Jeff Boril comes out of retirement each year to cook an amazing meal: turkey, ham, and all the trimmin’s. We served 530 meals, including to folks who weren’t able to get to the Fairgrounds. Nearly 80 volunteers made it possible: drivers, greeters, table-bussers, translators, food-servers, trash haulers. People who set up and made the rubber room look beautiful! Most everything was in two languages. Fr. Andres and Pastor Rick Barton offered Spanish and English blessings. Chris Coady, Julien Young, and Fuerza Cora Brasil Musical gifted us with great rollicking music. We had a lively kids play area.
And a celebrity dessert auction too! All of the members of the 2026 City Council, the police chief, the fire chief, the university president and 25 others created confections that have given us a kitty for next year’s feast.
The people who came were a cross-section of our community: all ages, perspectives, cultural backgrounds. People chatted freely and happily. Families enjoyed time together, many bringing guests that they didn’t have to cook for.
The supporters - who made it possible for the meal to be free to everyone - are too numerous to mention here - many faith groups, nonprofits and businesses. A huge shout-out to them!
What we’ll remember most? The sheer joy of that event. One person said, “I have never seen such a happy, welcoming environment.” Another person said, “We left as better people than when we came.”
And isn’t that the true spirit of Thanksgiving?
See you next year.
Jodi Payne and Janet Cox on behalf of the Thanksgiving dinner community champions
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