No one is exactly sure what year the first Community Thanksgiving Dinner was held in Chinook, but most agree it was in the 1980’s. First held in 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 togethers that kicks off the upcoming holiday season.

This year’s menu followed traditions fare: seven turkeys with the trimmings including dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, buns and a relish tray. All this followed by pie, lots of pies. Major financial supporters included the Inman family, NorthWestern Energy and First Bank of Montana. Many diners also make a contribution though no one is asked to pay for the dinner. Volunteers do the ‘heavy lifting’ to make the dinner happen.

Betty and Mark Billmayer headed up their first Chinook Community Thanksgiving Dinner two years ago and are back to head the annual holiday dinner for a year aided once again by Kathy O’Brien and Jay Eslick. One of the first things to do is to reach out to the community for homemade pies. The overall favorite is fruit pies among most bakers and diners. Eslick, one of the regulars who helps organize the dinner, said, “We put out the word for pies and we can count on about 25 being donated.” Despite some decline in the local population over the years, the number of diners and requests for deliveries remains fairly constant. This year about 120 meals are expected to be served as well as an additional 30-40 meals that will be delivered.

This year’s dinner will be served at the Chinook Senior Center from 12 Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The “Journal” thanks those who helped in so many ways to keep this great Thanksgiving tradition going.