“It’s our 33rd year. We changed it a little. It’s buffet style and we’re doing the serving,” said event co-chairman Les Schultz.

“We usually get enough donations to pay for next year’s meal. People have been very generous. Everyone is welcome to come and eat,” added Schultz.

Other added touches this year are using paper products, mostly cups to reduce the number of dishes and volunteers in the dishwashing room.

Masks were recommended but not required.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Smiling at the New Ulm Community Thanksgiving Dinner Thursday, from left, Kim Meidl, Ray J. Meidl, and Kay Miller, all of New Ulm.

Food preparation began in earnest this week at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 22 with the finishing touches on one of the more popular dinner choices — squash.

Turkey preparation heated up Tuesday and Wednesday morning and afternoon.

Kitchen preparation began at 6 a.m. Thanksgiving Day for the meal served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the lower level of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

For those that can’t or choose not to come to the church to eat, Schultz said about 200 meals were delivered, including more than a dozen to the New Ulm Police Dept. and Brown County Sheriff’s Office. Several hundred take-out meals were handed out.

The Thanksgiving Day meal is no small undertaking.

Peeling potatoes in preparation fro the New Ulm Community Thanksgiving Dinner Wednesday from left, LaVonne Helget, Henk Exoo, Dale Witt, and Mickey Witt, all of New Ulm.

“We cooked 42 24-pound turkeys,” Schultz said. “We prepared 350 pounds of potatoes and squash, 100 pounds of butter, 20 gallons of gravy and fresh cranberries.”

Pumpkin pie is an annual feature.

Schultz said the Thanksgiving Day weather has rarely been difficult.

“About seven years ago, we had five inches of unexpected snow,” said Schultz.

Food preparation volunteers said they enjoy giving back to the community.

“I just like a community event. It’s great,” said Dave Christian.

“I like helping out,” said Matt Schnichels.

“I just like helping folks. It’s a wonderful idea, something I can do for the community,” said Ingrid Liedman.

“I like giving back,” said Jean Wenk.

“It’s so nice to give back to the community. There are a lot of people alone. They find a home here,” said Mickey Witt.

“It’s fun,” said Dale Witt.

Ken Gramstad said he volunteered for the first time after a woman at Redeemer Lutheran Church announced that help was needed at the Community Thanksgiving Dinner.

“I asked my grandson Aiden Ranweiler if he wanted to volunteer with me and he said yes,” said Gramstad. “We really enjoyed delivering 26 meals, 15 to the Brown County Sheriff’s Office. We made new friends. We’ll do it again next year.”

Joann Hacker said the dinner have her, his brother Gary Wiltscheck and his wife Joann a chance to get out of the kitchen and do something with the family.

“All the food was good,” said Ray J. Meidl. “It’s a chance to get out with the family.”

The dinner came just in time for Jessie Sobania.

“My husband had to work today. I have five kids. It allowed us to get out of the house and celebrate,” Sobania said.

“It’s a wonderful thing they do,” said Christina Koester.

“It’s a great thing. I’m glad they had it again,” said Dean Schiller.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at

fbusch@nujournal.com).