Loose Leaf Notes

-The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on December 12, 2019.

It took three turkeys and a generous spread of side-dishes and desserts to feed more than 100 friends and neighbors at Dogtown’s 4th annual Community Thanksgiving Potluck last Tuesday evening. “It’s grown every year,” said Dogtown General Manager Aaron Bauer.  “It’s really about the community. They supply all the food and we supply the turkeys,” he said.

In the tradition of the first Thanksgiving, celebrated by Pilgrims and the Native Americans who helped them get through a winter of scarcity, Mark Proctor welcomed the crowd from the Dogtown stage.  Proctor, a Native American of Picataway, Cherokee and Scottish descent, posed the idea of a community Thanksgiving gathering to Dogtown staff three years ago. “I love when the whole town comes together to break bread, say hello and get to know each other,” Proctor said.

Entry into the public fellowship feast was a contribution to a food drive for Plenty! This year the drive included a “Warm & Cozy Kids Drive” for the Floyd Friends of Asylum Seekers, a non-profit charity organization that helps South and Central American neighbors who are legally seeking asylum. Tara Orlando, who heads up the initiative was in attendance with Floyd’s first Friends of Asylum Seekers’ residents Aslin Garcia (9) and her father Wilmer, who are from Honduras.

Attendees shared smiles, hugs and friendly conversation, along with turkey and all the fixins. Live music was provided by Jake Redding and friends. A community jam followed the performance.