ST. IGNATIUS — While today is the official “turkey day,” area seniors enjoyed Thanksgiving a little early this year, having a dinner with all the trimmings at various senior citizen centers around the county last week.

While most will spend today’s Thanksgiving holiday with family, St. Ignatius seniors got in on the act early with friends, young and old, at the local senior center last Friday. Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, ham, rolls, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce and, of course, turkey graced the plates of more than 60 people at the Mission Senior Center.

“I also just delivered 19 more meals,” center president Mack McConnell said during the noon meal last Friday. “We usually have 30 or 40 people during our Tuesday and Friday meal, but with a special meal like this, we always get our biggest turnout of the year.”

A lot of regulars attended, McConnell said, but also encouraged others to come out and enjoy a hot meal and good conversation with new faces and old. If you leave your seat, this reporter found out, it’s fair game, but your new seat will surely be surrounded by friendly, smiling faces, familiar or not.

“I’m glad to see the turnout,” McConnell said, surveying the room filled with tables and chatter. “We do a Christmas dinner as well, but this is usually the best turnout; people appreciate having this.”

The appreciation was reflected in the clean plates at the end of the meal, and the number of people placing money into the cook’s tip jar. Attendees listened attentively as news of quilt raffles, bingo and other events were announced post-meal.

The Thanksgiving meal may be the biggest turnout, but attending the center for a lunch is a great experience, and something young or old can participate in.

For more information on meal schedules and activities at the center, call 745-4462.