PHOTOS: Steamboat says ‘thanks’ as snow flies at community Thanksgiving dinner | SteamboatToday.com
YOUR AD HERE »

PHOTOS: Steamboat says ‘thanks’ as snow flies at community Thanksgiving dinner

News News |

Matt Stensland
  

Show CaptionsHide Captions

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Steamboat Spring resident Steve Roth did what he knows how to do best and spent Thanksgiving Day volunteering to carve turkeys.

“I cut for a living,” said Roth, who has lived in Steamboat since 1981 doing a variety of jobs, which have included being a butcher. “I think this is a really nice way to say thanks and give back.”

Roth was one of the dozens of volunteers working at the annual Routt County United Way Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday at the Steamboat Springs Community Center.

It was a sentimental event for those attending and volunteering at the gathering.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to get together,”  Roth said. “Everybody says ‘thanks.’”

United Way Executive Director Kate Nowak said they were prepared to feed more than 800 people.

“We have tons of food and tons of people,” Nowak said.

Bill Sawer, a retired groundskeeper with Colorado Mountain College Steamboat Springs, who was also a coach came to visit old friends. He moved to Steamboat four years after Steamboat Resort opened.

“I’ve been teaching for 50 years,” Sawer said. “Ski bums are never supposed to be able to retire. Ski bums are supposed to take unbenefitted jobs until they die.”

Sawer lives in Craig now but appreciated visiting Steamboat to see old friends.

“I see people that I used to know that I haven’t seen all year, and it’s a better meal than I can make myself,” Sawer said.

The dinner, composed of turkey, vegetables, gravy, shepherds pie, salad and a variety of desserts, was staffed with volunteers including Kyle Kagan, his mom, dad and brother.

“I just wanted to give back to the community and help out,” Kagan said.

Mark and Kimi Lehman, who have lived in Routt County for 14 years, brought their four young daughters, between age 1 and 7, to the event. It was their first time attending.

“For whatever reason, we’ve never gone,” Mark Lehman said. “It’s great. It would be a fun event to volunteer for.”

The Lehmans and everyone else embraced the Thanksgiving Day tradition Thursday as snow fell outside.

“It’s a good time to reflect on what you have,” Kimi Lehman said.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatPilot.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland.

Entertainment
See more

Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Steamboat and Routt County make the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.