CANAAN — You could say volunteering runs in Ami Gammell’s family.
Gammell and her husband, Todd Gammell, of Canaan, along with their daughters Grace Moore and Sophia Taylor, have been helping serve Thanksgiving dinner at Sacred Heart Church in Lebanon for the past nine years.
When the family heard that this year’s community Thanksgiving dinner in Canaan was in danger of being canceled — the organizer, Suzan Ignacio, cannot fulfill her duties due to a family illness — they stepped up to the plate, so to speak.
“We thought maybe we should do something in our own town this year,” Gammell said.
The Canaan Thanksgiving dinner is run entirely by volunteers, who cook and serve the meal with assistance and donations from local groups such as St. Mary’s Church, Cardigan Mountain School, the Canaan Lions Club and Upper Valley Produce. All proceeds go to local nonprofits.
More than 350 people attend the event in a typical year.
The dinner will take place at Mascoma Regional High School from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., followed by bingo until 3 p.m. — “so everyone doesn’t just have to go home,” Gammell said. Doors open at 10 a.m. for appetizers and mingling.
This is the second year the dinner will be held at the high school. For the 12 years before that, it was held at Canaan Hall at the Canaan Fair Speedway.
Gammell has food service experience, and oldest daughter Moore owns The 603 Bakery and Cafe in Canaan, which opened eight months ago.
“I said, ‘I’ve been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years, I can more than tackle this,’ ” Gammell said. “Volunteering and giving locally any time we can is a big deal for us.”
To volunteer or donate, contact Gammell at 603-443-3784 or the603bakerycafe@gmail.com.
Here are some other Thanksgiving events taking place around the Upper Valley. Email additions and updates to calendar@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
Kids: Thanksgiving stories and art
in Etna
10-11 a.m. (also takes place Friday, Nov. 22, at same time)
Etna Library, 130 Etna Road.
Thanksgiving stories, songs and a craft for young children. Free. 603-643-3116.
Turkey Trot road race in Hanover
Noon.
Dartmouth green, East Wheelock Street.
Price: $10.00 to $35.00
Join Hanover Parks and Recreation for this fall classic run, with 5K and 10K options. Both races start and end on the Dartmouth Green and both begin at 12 p.m. sharp. Prizes for the top male and female finisher from each race, divisional prizes and a raffle for all participants (bring a canned good and get an extra ticket). A food drive will support the Upper Valley Haven. Visit uppervalleyrunningclub.org to pre-register. Adult registration fee is $20 in advance and $35 on event day. Youth registration fee is $10. Same-day registration begins at 10:45 a.m. 603-643-5315.
Thanksgiving pie sale in South Royalton
12-3 p.m.
Welch’s True Value Hardware, 3626 Route 14
Thanksgiving pies for the busy cook, made by home bakers. Rada cutlery is also for sale. Proceeds benefit the First Congregational Church of Royalton’s annual giving program. 802-763-7812.
Thanksgiving pie sale in Etna
9 a.m.-noon
Etna Library, 130 Etna Road
Any pies remaining from the sale will be available for purchase at the library from 2-7 p.m. 603-643-3116.
Thanksgiving pie sale in Enfield
9 a.m.-noon
Mascoma Savings Bank, 13 Main St.
The Enfield-Mascoma Lioness Club presents their annual Thanksgiving homemade pie sale. Available until sold out. Cost is $10-12, depending on kind. Small 6-inch pies are $6. 603-523-4875.
Thanksgiving public ice skating in White River Junction
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; also Friday, Nov. 29 from 1:15-2:30 p.m.
Skate rentals and sharpening available. Admission $5, or use a season pass. 802-295-5036.
Turkey Trot in Norwich
9 a.m.
Gazebo on the Norwich green, Church Street.
Choice of a 4.4-mile or 2-mile trot and/or walk around town. No registration required. Leashed dogs welcome. Cash, food or clothing donations encouraged to benefit the Upper Valley Haven. 802-310-0422.
Lake Sunapee 5K Turkey Trot
9 a.m.
Ben Mere Gazebo, Sunapee Harbor, Main Street.
Includes a 1K “Chicken Run” for kids. Same-day registration begins at 7 a.m., or pre-register online at sunapeeturkeytrot.com. Costumes encouraged. No dogs. $10-$20, under 13 free. Proceeds support the Lake Sunapee Recreation Department. 603-763-2212, ext. 12.
Zack’s Place Turkey Trot in Woodstock
10 a.m.-noon.
Woodstock Elementary School, 15 South St.
The run begins at Woodstock Elementary School and meanders through the historic village of Woodstock, then on toward Billings Farm, around Mountain Avenue and back around the town green, ending at the starting line. There are also “satellite participants” who cannot be in Woodstock but who run wherever they are. An awards ceremony with refreshments and live music follows the race. $30-$35. All proceeds from the race support operational costs at Zack’s Place, a community enrichment center for people with special needs. Visit http://www.zacksplacevt.org/turkey_trot.php to register, or call 802-457-5868.
Community Thanksgiving dinner
in South Royalton
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Chase Center, Vermont Law School, 166 Chelsea St.
Delivery is available for those unable to attend the sit-down dinner. Contact Denee MacKenzie by Nov. 22 at 603-359-7484 or denee.f.fioravanti@hitchcock.org. Free. Food and/or cash donations and volunteers are welcome. Contact Erin Webster-Chambers at 802-831-1264 or ewebsterchambers@vermontlaw.edu.
Thanksgiving Day community dinner
in Lebanon
Noon.
Sacred Heart Church, 2 Hough St.
Open to all. Volunteers are welcome to help with preparation, serving and delivery. Call for details. Free. 604-448-6575.
VFW Thanksgiving dinner
in White River Junction
1 p.m.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2571, 97 S. Main St.
A traditional Thanksgiving meal, open to all. Free. 802-295-9745.
Thanksgiving party for the turkeys
in Springfield, Vt.
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
VINE Sanctuary, 201 Massey Road.
Spend the Saturday after Thanksgiving celebrating and helping turkeys and other birds at an animal rescue sanctuary. Volunteers will help get buildings and grounds ready for winter, followed by a sanctuary tour and vegan snacks with staff. Free. Participants are requested, but not required, to bring greens, fruit or other produce to add to a feast for the birds. RSVP requested at sanctuary@bravebirds.org.