Public and private organizations get into the Thanksgiving spirit

WINSTED — A combined effort between public officials and private organizations in town resulted in a special Thanksgiving feast for people with nowhere else to go for the holiday Thursday.

Selectman Lisa Smith teamed up with town manager’s office secretary Laurie Bessette in developing the plan, which involved the Winsted Elks Lodge and the Northwest Connecticut YMCA’s Winsted branch. Members of the Elks lodge planned to cook turkeys, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, desserts and other sides early Thursday morning and take charge of delivering the meal to the YMCA on Main Street.

“We were so happy to have the Elks do all of the cooking for the YMCA this year,� Smith said this week. “They took care of cookies and cakes — the whole Thanksgiving spread — for the residents at the Y this year.�

Smith said she was happy to see so many people getting involved with charitable Thanksgiving events this year. There were local food and fundraising drives, along with dinners served by other organizations. As usual, the restaurant Kelly’s Kitchen on Main Street was scheduled to serve a holiday feast for members of the Winchester police department who were working the Thanksgiving shift, and the Open Door Soup Kitchen at St. James Episcopal Church planned to serve its annual Thanksgiving meal.

“We’re just thankful for everyone who agreed to use part of their Thanksgiving day to get all of this stuff done,� Smith said.

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