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Highlands Today

Thanksgiving Preparation

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

From left: Volunteer parishioners of Union Congregational Church, Carl Fette and Mike Beaudoin, carve and sort turkeys on Wednesday in preparation for a Thanksgiving feast to feed over 800 people.

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By BILL RETTEW JR.

Highlands Today

Published: November 27, 2008

AVON PARK - When it comes to feeding 800 to 900 people for Thanksgiving, Carole Winters said it's the quality of the cooking utensil used that matters most.

Winters was one of about two dozen volunteer parishioners of Union Congregational Church, Wednesday, who collectively peeled 300 pounds of potatoes for about 90 minutes.

"We're going right through them," said Winters. "We're fast. I've got a great potato peeler that I bought new at Firemen's Field."

Around the room - with a cherished smell by most that enjoy a holiday feast - almost 100 church members worked as teams doing everything from bagging silverware to opening cans.

Mike Beaudoin and Winters agreed about the need for fine implements to prepare massive quantities of food.

He wielded a 12-inch long chef's knife and said its sharpness and length made it the perfect instrument to carve more than 70 turkeys.

Beaudoin wore a tall chef's hat and said he prefers white to dark turkey meat, but also enjoys a drumstick, along with his favorite pie, pumpkin.

"I like to help people," said Beaudoin, who was one of about 150 volunteers who help prepare, and then deliver, the Thanksgiving meals.

"If it wasn't for the Salvation Army, we wouldn't have had Christmas," said Beaudoin. "My dad was in construction and a lot of times we didn't a have enough money.

"It's nice to give back what was given to you."

Karen Weeks, kitchen manager, said that in addition to the turkeys and potatoes, 80 cans of cranberry sauce, 31 large cans of corn, 100 bags of stuffing and 145 homemade pies were donated by church members.

Many members of the community phoned the church in advance to reserve the free meals that volunteers will deliver.

Several vehicles will also circulate the City of Charm seeking the homeless, the needy and those left alone to feed on Thanksgiving.

On Thursday at 10:30 a.m., parishioners will form an assembly line to dish out the food.

Much of the equipment used is stored in the pastor's garage and only used once per year. To keep everything refrigerated and then hot on turkey day is a big job, said Weeks.

The turkey and pies arrived at the church precooked.

Weeks said she will enjoy eating any leftovers, after every one who wants a meal is served, but only if she isn't too exhausted.

"We're sharing our blessings with those less fortunate and who live alone," said Weeks.

Bill Rettew Jr. may be contacted at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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