All Are Welcome to the Yankton Community Feast Thanksgiving is a time for many to get family and friends together for food and fellowship, giving thanks for the blessings in their life. Our community is fortunate enough to have an evening of food and fellowship held the night before Thanksgiving, the Yankton Community Feast, open to everyone to warm their stomachs and their hearts. Ten to twelve members serve on the Yankton Community Feast committee and I was fortunate to speak to a few of them about the remarkable meal. Donna and Cal Carlson, Don “Murdo” Edwards, the late Steve “Chopper” & Marlene Johnson and Donna and Cliff Madson are among the many people who come together to make the amazing event happen. The event started about twenty-one years ago while Murdo and Chopper, long-time friends, were having a discussion over a few drinks one evening. “I don’t know how we got started talking about it,” Murdo explained. “I said, ‘My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I’ve always wanted to do something.’ And Chopper said, ‘Well, that’s my favorite holiday too.’” He continued on, explaining how they talked about doing something special for the holiday. The following Monday, Chopper called Murdo and said “Let’s do it!” Let the festivities begin! Pictured is the inaugural committee of the Yankton Community Feast, left to right: Donna Madson, Marlene and the late Steve Johnson, Don Edwards and Cliff Madson. It was then that the Yankton Community Feast began, a holiday gathering for anyone to come in to enjoy a delicious, hot meal and friendship together. Murdo, though being part of the brains behind the idea, was reluctant to take credit for the event, instead giving credit to the many others involved in helping, including individuals, businesses, organizations, churches and the Sacred Heart Monastery. In its early years, the Feast was held at the Link Auditorium at Sacred Heart School. The meal was served in the auditorium and the dining room was Get Hooked On A New Hobby! Check Our Website For Class Schedules ~ www.eweknitit.com Yarn • Books • Needles & Hooks • Gift Certificates RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL • Carpet Cleaning • Upholstery Cleaning • Duct Cleaning • Power Washing • Janitorial 2 Rooms & Hallway $79.99 (up to 300 sq. ft) INSURED & BONDED REFERENCES AVAILABLE SERVING YANKTON & SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1994 6vHERVOICEvNOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 909 Broadway, Tripp Park Plaza 605-689-3999 • www.eweknitit.com Open: Monday-Friday 10am-6pm • Saturday 10am-5pm