The United Methodist Church of Blairstown is offering a free community Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 24th, 2022. from 2pm to 4pm.
The church sits on the hill next to Blairstown Elementary School at 10 Stillwater Road, Blairstown NJ.
This dinner will serve all the usual homemade Thanksgiving favorites. One might imagine the first Thanksgiving, sitting together, enjoying good food and getting to know one another. If you like bring a dessert or a non-alcohol beverage to share Most of all bring a smile.
To participate in the dinner, please register by November 23rd at https://buff.ly/3f4NoYW.
This tradition was started in 2016 when a new family joined the church. They had no relations in the area and wanted to cook the meal for anyone who wanted to come. The first year, 30 to 35 people attended.
That family moved away, but their kind gesture of Thanksgiving has now become a
tradition at United Methodist Church.
Recently at the United Methodists Men’s Group meeting they unanimously agreed to start up the Thanksgiving tradition which was canceled the last two years because of the Covid Pandemic.
The meal is prepared by volunteers, some donating food, some their culinary skills. Pastor Dave cooks the turkeys. The cooking method he uses is called “roasted spatchcock turkey.” This is a way in which the turkey can be cooked quickly, a 20-pound turkey can be cooked in an hour and a half.
First the turkey is butterflied, this means the backbone is removed so the turkey can be flattened in the pan. The skin and fat is on the top so it self-bastes the turkey. The skin is always crisp, and the meat retains its juices.
See You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDSkekArbeo&list=PLpkj3Cc40ZCqyWzjGmVHpxEsiGrb0wKJcvideo
The last community dinner fed around 40 to 50 people, with 5 large turkeys and all the fixings. “The best ministry happens when God steers the heart of the people who want to serve the community” Pastor Dave stated.
If you are alone, or if you need a break this Thanksgiving, break bread with the people of Blairstown. You may just make a new friend.
FYI…. United Methodic C church is having a Thanksgiving service on November 22, 2022 at 7pm.
The United Methodist Church, Evangelical Free Church of Blairstown, First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown and St. Jude’s Catholic Church is giving out 100 Thanksgiving Food Baskets for families in need. Baskets were picked up at the First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown, at 1 Main Street, Blairstown NJ on Saturday, November 19 th , from 10am to 12pm.
MB Journe, Contributing Writer
My name is Marybeth Journe, I feel blessed to be living in this part of New Jersey. I have enjoyed this community taking advantage of the lakes and woods. Always supporting the local businesses that make this my home. As a local artist myself, I know many of our residence if not by name, at least by sight. I feel comfortable interviewing others. I have worked for The Paulinskill Valley Chronical where I provided articles, photographs and billing. I consider myself an artist, journalist, naturalist, gardener and a teacher for the YMCA Camp Mason. I look forward to the work ahead
