The Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association served free turkey dinners for Coal Creek Canyon residents on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2022, at the CCCIA hall on Highway 72. About 150 area residents enjoyed the dinners from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Sean Walkinshaw, vice president of the CCCIA Board, organized the event this year.

Walkinshaw said the year this started is in debate, but they believe this is the 84th anniversary of the event.

Sean said they fried six turkeys and roasted two. Other menu items included stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberries, rolls and side dishes brought in by about 25 families. United Power provided some funds, and the CCCIA Hall provided the rest.

By about 1 p.m. they had 60 visitors, and he projected they would have 150 by the end of the day.

Assisting with cooking and serving were Shelley Peters, who also organizes events. Caron Huffman has lived in the Coal Creek area for nine years. Ashley Roberts has been involved since 2015. Gene Shatek cut up the turkeys and has been involved with the dinner for about five years.

Santa will visit the CCCIA Hall on Saturday, December 10, from noon to 2 p.m. with free activities for Canyon kiddos. Santa will also visit the Hall on Saturday, December 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. for Santa Paws and photos with Santa and pets.

For more information, go to https:// www.coalcreekcanyon.org/.