Country neighbors pull together for a Thanksgiving meal
Carol and Earl Flinner celebrated Thanksgiving a little early this year in the company of their longtime friends and neighbors who gathered at Baltic Elementary School for a community Thanksgiving meal Nov. 19.
“We all went to school here,” said Carol Flinner, as she motioned to several ladies seated nearby. “We were just talking about all of the meals we have eaten here together, including through all 12 years of school.”
Her former classmates, who all still live in the area, agreed that the cafeteria remained mostly unchanged from their own days as students, and that they enjoyed returning to their alma mater to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season together.
“The community Thanksgiving meal is a joint effort of the United Church of Christ congregations from Zion New Bedford, Zion Baltic, Fiat, and Renners, along with the other Baltic area churches,” said Zion Baltic member Betty Balder, who sat across from Flinner. “Each church donated and helped out with a portion of the meal.”
Tim Mutschelknaus took a moment from serving to explain how the community meal, now in its third year, began.
“It was one of the events we talked about that would benefit the community. All of the area UCC churches are rather small, but by joining together, we thought we could do more with missions.”
Mutschelknaus noted that the four churches meet monthly to see what projects they would like to do throughout the year.
“We’ve collected drives for donations for the USO, and we do Christmas caroling together, for example. We carol at the local restaurant, the nursing home, and to people in the community we think could use a lift during the holidays,” he continued.
Although the community Thanksgiving meal was served at no charge, those attending had the opportunity to donate funds or canned goods to be given to help fill the needs of the homeless shelter operated by Friends of the Homeless of Tuscarawas County. At the end of the day, volunteers were delighted to count up a grand total of $500 in donations, along with several dozen cans of canned goods. In 2010, proceeds from the dinner benefitted the Dover-New Philadelphia food pantry.
“We try and spread it around a little,” said Mutschelknaus.
According to the volunteer, those helping cooked up a menu of real mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cranberry salad, dressing, ten large turkey breasts, pumpkin pie, angel food cake, rolls, and beverages.
“All of the churches generously donated, and the Baltic School graciously allowed us to use their cafeteria and kitchen,” he said.
Mutschelknaus’ wife, Nancy, was quick to point out how the event pulls neighbors together.
“Help is never a problem. We always have plenty of volunteers willing to cook, serve, and clean up,” she added.
“That’s a farming community for you,” interjected Carol Flinner. “Everyone does what they can.”
The group prepared for 125 meals, including meals for both carry-out and delivery to those in the area unable to attend, and final tallies revealed 115 meals had been served.
“We’ll be back next year,” assured Tim Mutschelknaus.
Thanks to efforts of this kind hearted farming community, many others in the area are sure to have a blessed holiday season not only this year, but for years to come.
“We all went to school here,” said Carol Flinner, as she motioned to several ladies seated nearby. “We were just talking about all of the meals we have eaten here together, including through all 12 years of school.”
Her former classmates, who all still live in the area, agreed that the cafeteria remained mostly unchanged from their own days as students, and that they enjoyed returning to their alma mater to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season together.
“The community Thanksgiving meal is a joint effort of the United Church of Christ congregations from Zion New Bedford, Zion Baltic, Fiat, and Renners, along with the other Baltic area churches,” said Zion Baltic member Betty Balder, who sat across from Flinner. “Each church donated and helped out with a portion of the meal.”
Tim Mutschelknaus took a moment from serving to explain how the community meal, now in its third year, began.
“It was one of the events we talked about that would benefit the community. All of the area UCC churches are rather small, but by joining together, we thought we could do more with missions.”
Mutschelknaus noted that the four churches meet monthly to see what projects they would like to do throughout the year.
“We’ve collected drives for donations for the USO, and we do Christmas caroling together, for example. We carol at the local restaurant, the nursing home, and to people in the community we think could use a lift during the holidays,” he continued.
Although the community Thanksgiving meal was served at no charge, those attending had the opportunity to donate funds or canned goods to be given to help fill the needs of the homeless shelter operated by Friends of the Homeless of Tuscarawas County. At the end of the day, volunteers were delighted to count up a grand total of $500 in donations, along with several dozen cans of canned goods. In 2010, proceeds from the dinner benefitted the Dover-New Philadelphia food pantry.
“We try and spread it around a little,” said Mutschelknaus.
According to the volunteer, those helping cooked up a menu of real mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cranberry salad, dressing, ten large turkey breasts, pumpkin pie, angel food cake, rolls, and beverages.
“All of the churches generously donated, and the Baltic School graciously allowed us to use their cafeteria and kitchen,” he said.
Mutschelknaus’ wife, Nancy, was quick to point out how the event pulls neighbors together.
“Help is never a problem. We always have plenty of volunteers willing to cook, serve, and clean up,” she added.
“That’s a farming community for you,” interjected Carol Flinner. “Everyone does what they can.”
The group prepared for 125 meals, including meals for both carry-out and delivery to those in the area unable to attend, and final tallies revealed 115 meals had been served.
“We’ll be back next year,” assured Tim Mutschelknaus.
Thanks to efforts of this kind hearted farming community, many others in the area are sure to have a blessed holiday season not only this year, but for years to come.
Published: November 21, 2011
