A community Thanksgiving dinner will be held at the Moyie Springs City Hall from 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 27.  

Hosted by Louise Plew and her family, the Moyie Springs City Council approved the use of the building earlier this month for what will be the first Thanksgiving dinner held at the hall. The meal is open to the public and will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Plew said she is planning for 100 to 150 people; however, she said she expects well over 100 people. All food for the meal will be made from scratch. 

She said the event’s time was chosen so residents could attend both the dinner and the Thanksgiving lunch at Three Mile Café, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Cooking has been part of Plew’s life for as long as she can remember. She has lived in Moyie Springs for 16 years and has previously prepared spaghetti dinners for the Bonners Ferry High School football team. 

“My grandmother and my mom cooked in fancy restaurants in Ohio,” Plew said. “I grew up learning to cook. It’s just always been something I like to do.”   

Helping people and creating a space for socializing are two of the main reasons she organized the dinner. 

“It was always my mom’s thing to help other people,” Plew said. “I guess I have her genes because I like to help people, especially if they need help.”   

Around seven to nine turkeys will be cooked, as well as 12 pumpkin pies. There will also be carrot cake, apple pies, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and other traditional Thanksgiving dishes. 

While pleased, Plew said she didn’t expect the level of interest the event has received. 

“Next year, if it’s as big as everybody says it’s going to be, I might have to find another venue,” Plew said. “If it goes well, we might try to do a thing at Easter, too.” 

She said she has been warned about the amount of work the dinner will require. 

“Maybe for a week, I won’t have a life, but that’s okay,” Plew said. “As long as it makes somebody happy and people are getting fed.” 

She estimates that six to eight people are helping her prepare the meal. 

To help cover costs, Plew has received multiple donations of cash and food. 

At the Nov. 5 council meeting, the Moyie Springs city clerk said several retired couples have expressed interest in helping with the effort. The city will not cover any costs or reimburse Plew for the meal. 

Though Plew is the organizer of the dinner, a speech does not appear to be in the cards. 

“I’m good at talking sometimes,” Plew said. But if I had to get up in front of a big crowd, I ain’t good at that.”