CARRINGTON, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Carrington Community Thanksgiving Dinner is a 25-year tradition of dinner served at noon on Thanksgiving Day. This year’s dinner will be served at Calvary Baptist Church, 725 Main Street in Carrington. Don’t expect any silver decoration, cake, or mints to celebrate this silver anniversary, though fall colors are in order for Thanksgiving, and turkey and pie are on the menu.
This year’s theme is ‘Tradition.’ Shirley Fritza, Betty Montgomery, and Linda Schuster are carrying on a tradition started more than two decades ago by Helen and Gary Rosenau, Becky and Lynn Schroeder, and Caroline and Jeff Golz.
Linda Schuster says, “After 25 years, I think it’s safe to call this a strong tradition in our community!” This tradition involves many households, churches, and willing individuals. There are people who plant extra potatoes for the meal. The tradition continues with those who roast turkeys, prepare stuffing, and bake pies. There is a Wednesday crew who peel potatoes and set tables, and more teams on Thursday to serve food, deliver meals, wash dishes, and clean up.
People of all ages come for dinner and come to help. Newcomers see first-hand what “North Dakota nice” really looks like. Truck drivers passing through town call for a ride or bobtail down Main Street. Stranded travelers. Families suddenly home for a funeral. Harvest crews working late in the season. Families that enjoy a little bit of turkey – it IS tradition, after all! – but who would rather put their efforts into half-time snacks and treats. Anyone who doesn’t want to eat leftovers for weeks. Extended families. Shift workers on break. Small families. Empty-nesters. “Friendsgiving,” in public. Some folks wouldn’t think of eating Thanksgiving dinner anywhere else – it’s tradition, after all! We welcome our ‘Thanksgiving Family’ each year as we reunite over peeling potatoes, wrapping flatware, boning turkeys, serving up meals, sitting down to eat, and then tucking the equipment away for next year.
The menu doesn’t change. Succulent, roasted turkey with home-made gravy. Mounds of real, mashed potatoes. Herbed stuffing. Buttery sweet corn. Glazed sweet potatoes with just a touch of brown sugar. Fresh, crisp coleslaw with a dressing recipe handed down through the years. Refreshingly tart cranberry sauce. Fresh-baked buns. Cold milk. Hot coffee. And pie tables and tables of delicious pies: pumpkin, apple, rhubarb, pecan, and sometimes berry or even cream pies.
Students at Carrington Elementary School decorate cheery placemats so everyone can celebrate. Even take-out orders receive a placemat and a Thanksgiving prayer card tucked in their bag. Volunteers are especially needed on Wednesday afternoon, November 26 at 1:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 725 Main Street. The team will peel potatoes (bring your favorite peeler); wrap flatware; setup workspaces, tables and chairs; and set tables with placemats and cups. Other volunteers will be boning and carving turkeys.
On Thursday morning, the committee and a few others will arrive early to start cooking again. Then another wave of volunteers will arrive – the food line and delivery team. Dishwashers and a clean-up team work their magic throughout the day.
Many generous people contribute their time and energy to help with preparations before and serving on Thanksgiving Day, but we don’t want anyone to feel un-needed or over-worked. If you would like to volunteer for a brief shift on Thursday, please contact Linda Schuster at 701-653-6028 to sign up.
Turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings, will be served at noon at Calvary Baptist Church, 725 Main Street in Carrington, on Thursday, November 27. Everyone is welcome! The meal is free, but a free-will offering will be accepted to offset expenses and continue this friendly community custom.
If you would like a ride or meals delivered on Thanksgiving Day, please contact Betty Montgomery at 701-652-5034. It is important to remember that attendance at any public event carries health risks. If you do not feel well, please stay home and call for delivery.
Questions about Carrington’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner should be directed to Linda Schuster at 701-653-6028.
Almost 350 guests were served at the 2024 Carrington Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
