Hundreds celebrate Thanksgiving in Ronan

RONAN — On the traditional day that invites generosity with neighbors, Ronan community volunteers, hosted by valley churches, brought this message home with an abundant sharing of smiles, stories, love, and an open-to-all banquet.

Over 300 Thanksgiving meals were dished up and gobbled down at the free Hometown Thanksgiving dinner at the Ronan Community Center last Thursday.

The well-organized event proved a down-to-earth gathering of hometown personalities. The feast offered a generous supply of traditional foods and copious goodwill.

The parking lot filled with cars as a steady stream of neighbors lined up for fresh baked rolls, hot gravy and roasted turkey with trimmings, including a big-hearted selection of pumpkin, apple and mince pies.

Chowhounds were treated to live entertainment from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning with educator Cathy Gillhouse playing the folk harp. Julia Borden from the Red Poppy followed with a solo viola performance selected from Bach's first Cello Suite. Others on the program included James Pettit squeezing out traditional bagpipe themes; Kayla Keplin crooning old time favorites backed on guitar by her father; Julia Maughan, the legendary grandmother, tickled the ivories by beating out rags and jazz blues.

Expressing the blessings of the day, Stephen Small Salmon, complete with drum, chanted traditional tribal songs. He added with grace and humor, pleasant stories related to Thanksgiving Day from his life experiences. Small Salmon summarized the Thanksgiving spirit with a salute to old friends and new faces.