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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 1979)
Holiday plans Turkey feasts ease seniors’ loneliness “If you have nothing but cornbread and beans, be happy to have them." That, says 82-year-old Mildred Taylor is what Thanksgiving should be all about Taylor has had some Thanksgivings like those, especially during the Great Depression “The time I was livin' back in Colorado in the 30s it was hard But we made out "Where there's a will, there's a way." she con tinues "Maybe you don’t have much, but you have to make do " Taylor will spend her Thanksgiving with rela tives, including 14 grandchildren But many of her 'friends in the Green Valley Care Center won t be so lucky For them, the organized dinner will be a welcome relief from the loneliness that would other wise haunt what should be a festive holiday Most of the nursing homes in Eugene and Springfield are having a traditional turkey dinner for their residents Senior centers will be actively serving the tradi tional holiday menu The Trude Kaufman Center, 996 Jefferson St., is expecting 80 to 125 people for its 1 p m dinner today, and will take about 40 meals to shut-in seniors in the neighborhood Meal-time entertainment featuring a European accordionist will start at 1 30 pm says assistant supervisor Carlon Spores Campbell Senior Center. 155 High St , is noiomg a pottuck for an expected 100 seniors The dinner starts at noon today and costs 75 cents Millie Taylor is one senior that will spend the holiday with her family Not all old folks will be so fortunate. but there are many things going on today and Thursday to help ease the loneliness Holiday a turkey for students stuck in town For the Plymouth Colony Pil grim s and their 92 Indian guests, that first Thanksgiving dinner in 1621 symbolized the accomplishments of survival and friendship For us, it's a four-day break from studies and a chance to gather with family and friends to eat as much as we can But the holiday loses its flavor for those who are stuck in their apartments or dorms for the day Although low-income per sons, transients and even pri soners will have their fill of the traditional holiday meal, for students Thanksgiving could be 1 Eugene Mission cook Tom Mason busily prepares the trimmings of a delicious Thanks giving dinner for an expected 200 people All food, including more than 20 turkeys, has been donated by area businesses, churches and individuals. a turkey Eugene's airlines and Amtrak report full or nearly full depar tures for both today and Thurs day, 90 some students will have to stay put On campus, options for wee kend entertainment are limited The Ananda Marga Society is sponsoring two movies "Beat the Devil" at 7 and 9pm Friday, and Thief of Bagdad'' at 7 and 9 15 p m Saturday The only other organized activity over the weekend is the Oregon Oregon State football game. Saturday at 1:30 pm Dormitory cafeterias and the EM U will be closed for the entire four-day weekend Though the library is open regular hours Friday through Sunday, it will close Wednesday at 5 p m and stay closed all day Thursday If you're looking for a turkey dinner, plan on going off cam pus The Salvation Army offers Thanksgiving dinner to low-in come persons and families and to those who have no place to go The meal will be served from 11:30 a m to 2:30 p m Thursday at the Willamalane Park and Recreation Center, 765 North A, Springfield A Salvation Army representative says the dinner is free but help is needed with serving and clean-up Dona tions will be accepted The Loft restaurant, located on Alder Street between 13th and 14th streets, is also offering free turkey to needy individuals — people new in town, out of food stamps, or on their own The Thursday meal will be served from 1 to 8 p m Local musicians will provide enter tainment For people who are just passing through, an additional option is the Eugene Mission, 1542 W 1st Street The turkey and ham dinner will start at 1 45 p m Thursday According to assistant direc tor Ron Metcalf, "The Mission is, for many of the men (and women), the only place to go This is their home during the week this is a home for those who are always away from home." Metcalf says he expects more than 200 men and women to come for the meal For those dining out Thurs day, most restaurants in town will be serving turkey dinners at a cost of $3 to $9 If all else fails, try getting ar rested The food director at the Lane County Jail says about 235 "vi sitors" will enjoy a turkey dinner made from scratch tomorrow Stories by Scott Hall, Photos by Peter Dustrud
