The 13th Annual Thanksgiving Friends Celebration at Friendship Hall united a cornucopia of locals — young, old, natives and transplants — to dine on turkey, trimmings and sweets.
“That’s what it’s about. It’s for the whole community — it doesn’t matter who you are or what you are or anything else. Everything is free,” coordinator Bob Eakin said.
 Area residents pass through food lines at Friendship Hall Thursday afternoon during the 13th Annual Thanksgiving Friends Celebration. (William Woody / Daily Press) Advertisement |
Herbert Schoenfeld, 75, has participated in the community dinner the past six years. Formerly of Italy, he’s lived eight years in Montrose after spending time in California.
“It’s beautiful,” he said of the Montrose community.
Eakin said “well over” 100 turkeys and 30 hams were prepared for the early afternoon feast. Realtors donate most of the turkeys. Churches, local businesses and volunteers contribute the rest. Food preparation and presentation relies on volunteers. No paid advertising is used, Eakin said.
“It’s a good thing for the community, and Montrose is a very giving community,” he said. “I think that’s what this is all about.”
Another annual event made possible through charitable contribution afforded 25 U.S. veterans an opportunity to float over the community in wicker baskets. Hot air balloonist Ric Simon coordinated the 15th Annual Thanksgiving Get Together float, which took off from the Montrose Elks Lodge lawn Thursday morning.
“This is the first time for veterans,” he said. “They deserve something — it’s a ‘thank you’ for giving.”
Gerry McKinley served in the Navy during World War II, working on airplanes in such states as Oklahoma, California and Texas. She’d never taken a hot air balloon ride until Thursday.
“I haven’t — that’s why I’m so excited. I rode in a lot of airplanes,” she said before liftoff, while warming up in a truck.
Frost covered the grass Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. There was a bite in the air. The heavens were even cooler. Simon said liftoffs will occur today and Saturday as well, weather permitting.
“It’s always been fun in the past. We’ve had some warm ones and some cold ones but it’s always been fun,” Simon said. “Winds should be favorable; that’s the biggest part.”
As the event organizer, Simon arranged for 10 balloons from as local as Grand Junction and as far as Las Vegas.
Neal Hayward, 87, was another U.S. WWII veteran treated to his first hot air balloon float Thursday. He took to the air with Ann, his wife of 63 and a half years. During the war he was stationed in England, piloting B-17 Flying Fortresses over Germany.
Contact Robert Allen via e-mail at roberta@montrosepress.com
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