The tables are set, the turkeys are roasting, volunteers are getting excited about seeing old friends and making new ones. The annual Tri-Area Community Thanksgiving Meal will return starting noon tomorrow and filling bellies and bringing smiles until 3 p.m.  Hundreds of people are expected to line the long tables at the Tri-Area Community Center, across S.R. 19 from Chimacum Grange, and next door to Chimacum High School.

I am returning to volunteer as table setter, water pourer, silverware fetcher, table wiper, dishwasher, plate stacker, whatever the dedicated, cheerful team leaders give me to do. My wife and I spent last Turkey Day helping out and seeing our local community with new eyes. A very diverse group comes for what is a surprisingly tasty, perfect Thanksgiving meal. (I can’t cook one whole turkey right. How do they manage to serve hundreds of pounds so well?)

Families, seniors living alone, folks who can’t afford their own celebration, people just looking to connect on this holiday. They were all seated at the tables, happily tucking into the delicious food.

Did I mention the killer pumpkin pie?

Good stuff will be served up: turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and not just pumpkin pie. (I’m hoping to see some of that tasty ham they dished out last year. The food just kept coming and coming).

Last year Chicago Bob and friend provided live music. I hope to see and hear them again.

The Tri-Area Community Meals team, expertly organized and ably led, pulls this off seemingly without effort. Their many, many hours of preparation and work make this holiday celebration something very special, something worth seeing for yourself.

No more volunteers are needed for Thanksgiving! What a wonderful measure of community spirit! But volunteers are needed for Christmas. Contact t Tria Area Community Meals at 360-605-03000 or contact@triareacommunitymeals.org. For more information see their website: https://triareacommunitymeals.org/

Happy Thanksgiving. Please don’t drink and drive.