Elmer and Diana Moore enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings during Creswell Presbyterian Church’s annual Harvest Dinner last Friday. Gini Davis/The Chronicle
Creswell Presbyterian Church’s annual Harvest Dinner on Nov. 1 served up nearly 400 traditional turkey dinners with all the trimmings (including 142 takeout orders), raising about $3,555 – plus $2,262.50 in donations – for the church’s general fund.
The accompanying Country Store and Bake Sale, featuring handmade and gently used holiday décor and home-baked goodies, raised $2,014 and a Quilt Raffle raised $1,100 to support the church’s Presbyterian Women’s Association’s local missions.
In addition to a good meal in support of good works, part of the event’s charm lies in catching up with friends and neighbors while waiting in line or dining at the long, family-style tables.
Especially charming this year was the presentation of balloons and singing ”Happy Birthday” to Norm Few, the church’s retired pastor of more than 50 years, who was celebrating his 89th birthday.
”This is my 62nd consecutive Harvest Dinner,” noted Few, who accepted handshakes, hugs and well-wishes from church and community members.
Nancy Kent won the queen-sized quilt made by Diana Moore’s Sew with Love group.
The flow of diners ”started early and went to the very end,” with organizers nearly running out of turkey from 24 roasted birds, noted longtime organizer Karen Heater.
”We also had several folks from other churches helping us, making it a community event,” she said.
