American Legion Post 159 serves up Thanksgiving dinners and smiles
Volunteer Darla Van Horn, left, serves food to Williamstown resident Patsy Johnson Thursday at the American Legion Post 159 Thanksgiving dinner in Williamstown. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Williamstown resident Shirley Lutz snags a slice of pie for dessert Thursday during the American Legion Post 159 Thanksgiving dinner in Williamstown. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Volunteer Greg Halterman, right, serves food to Waverly resident Bridget Marquis Thursday during the American Legion Post 159 Thanksgiving dinner in Williamstown. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Volunteers Jonathan Hall, left, and Greg Halterman prepare a to-go meal Thursday during the American Legion Post 159 Thanksgiving dinner in Williamstown. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Volunteer Darla Van Horn, left, serves food to Williamstown resident Patsy Johnson Thursday at the American Legion Post 159 Thanksgiving dinner in Williamstown. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Williamstown resident Shirley Lutz snags a slice of pie for dessert Thursday during the American Legion Post 159 Thanksgiving dinner in Williamstown. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Volunteer Greg Halterman, right, serves food to Waverly resident Bridget Marquis Thursday during the American Legion Post 159 Thanksgiving dinner in Williamstown. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Volunteers Jonathan Hall, left, and Greg Halterman prepare a to-go meal Thursday during the American Legion Post 159 Thanksgiving dinner in Williamstown. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
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WILLIAMSTOWN -- It's not that Patsy Johnson didn't have a family meal to go to on Thanksgiving -- but it was later in the day.
"I can eat twice," the Williamstown resident laughed at American Legion Post 159 Thursday. "I got this all figured out."
Johnson has been attending the Legion's Thanksgiving meal -- open to the Williamstown/Waverly community as well as veterans and Legion members -- for 12 years.
"They always have an awesome meal. And everybody's so polite," she said.
Johnson has started inviting people to come with her, and recognized and waved at some folks as they entered.
The Legion and its volunteers were expecting to serve more than 200 meals at the post and via pickup or delivery, said Darla Van Horn, whose husband Lawrence organizes the meal for the post.
"It's kind of a joint family event," she said. "I think it's important for the community to have somewhere to go."
Some of the people who receive the delivered meals may not be able to get out or have family nearby to eat with, Van Horn said. Others may not be able to afford a Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings.
Some, like Williamstown resident Shirley Lutz, just want to sit back and enjoy the holiday.
"I don't have to cook," she said with a laugh.
There's no charge for the meals, although people can make donations.
Waverly resident Jay Beaumier's parents were delivering meals and suggested he go to the post.
"They told me to come and check it out," he said.
Beaumier said he thought it was a good activity for the community and he enjoyed not only the food but watching the Green Bay Packers take on the Detroit Lions on TV.
Greg Halterman has been helping with the meal for several years as a member of the Sons of the American Legion and the Williamstown Lions Club.
"It's fun," he said. "It's nice to see the people that are happy and full. It's nice to be helping people. And the food's good."