28 November 2013
Giving Thanks and Sharing Meals
Traditional Thanksgiving menus will be on the table throughout the central coast today as families and friends gather to give thanks for a variety of things.
Free dinners in Reedsport and Florence will give folks who may be alone, or just don’t want to cook, a chance to socialize and enjoy a traditional meal..
In Reedsport, the Lower Umpqua Senior Center on Winchester Avenue, will be providing a free dinner from noon until two pm.
In Florence there has been a community Thanksgiving Dinner somewhere for many, many years. Four years ago the local Kiwanis Club assumed responsibility for planning, preparing and serving it.
They’ll do that again today from noon until two at the Florence Elks Lodge on 12th Street.
Transportation to and from the Elks from locations inside city limits will be provided for free by River Cities Taxi
Holiday Season Kicking Off
There are plenty of holiday activities this weekend that will start off the season…
Umpqua Lighthouse
In Winchester Bay the Umpqua Lighthouse Museum will be open from ten to 3:30 tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.
The museum is free to visit and guided tours of the lighthouse itself are provided on a regular basis. They’re five dollars for adults; three dollars for seniors and students.
Home for the Holidays
In Florence the holiday season will officially begin Saturday afternoon with the lighting of the community Christmas Tree at Gazebo Park at 4:30. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be delivered by Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue.
Florence Senior Center
Also in Florence Sunday afternoon will be an Old Fashioned Christmas Gathering at the Senior Center. From two to four pm the center will be open as visitors help decorate the tree and the center. Janie Peil, event coordinator, said they’ll have cookies, caroling and hot chocolate.
Festival of Trees
Supporters of the Oregon Coast Military Heritage Museum have put together a Festival of Trees. Board Member Sue Gilday says it came together when they wanted to do a unique fund-raiser.
Sue Gilday – “I thought this would be a fun way to do it and boy, the community has really come together. It’s exciting! It’s been really fun.”
At last count they had solicited 32 different businesses and other organizations to get things ready.
Sue Gilday – “They paid a donation fee to sponsor a tree. It was a hundred dollars. And then they bought all their own decorations and then they donated their time to decorate these trees which are turning out beautiful.”
Sunday from three to six pm at the museum near the airport, all the trees will be on display and offered up for sale on a silent auction. Successful bidders will have one less worry when it comes to getting ready for the holidays.
Sue Gilday – “We are going to deliver these trees to your home or business, fully decorated. You can leave your Christmas stuff in the attic this year and we’ll just decorate your house for ya.”
The Community Chorus will be on hand, along with Santa. And, a short dedication of the building itself is set for 5:45.
