Ham and turkey dinner a go at CES

CATALDO — Canyon Elementary School breathed a sigh of relief as it looks to have its annual Ham and Turkey Dinner back to normal on Saturday, Nov. 20, after having to restructure the event last year in order to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.

The dinner, which is accompanied by both a live and silent auction, is the school’s only fundraising event throughout the year.

Canyon School Organization President Tanisha Gloyn explained that doing business as usual this year is a huge win for the school, after funds came up short following the cancelation of the dinner last year, which limited the activities the school could afford to allow the kids to participate in.

“Last year, we had to change everything due to COVID, so this year we are hoping to bring back all the traditions that the community looks forward to,” Gloyn said.

Money raised at the event will fund nearly all of the science magnet school’s events for the remainder of the year including the Tinker Tech Lab, class field trips, the artist in residence program, and science and engineering events and supplies to name a few.

As always, the tradition will continue to raffle off a homemade quilt. This year’s quilt was handmade and donated by Kellogg School District Board of Trustees member, Bonnie Farmin.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” Gloyn said. “Every year we are so excited to see what we get and every year we are not disappointed.”

Two additional quilts have been donated to be auctioned off, as well as ski gear, tools, hair products and many other items. Gloyn said pictures of the auction items are posted to the school’s event Facebook page (@Canyonelementaryhamandturkeydinner) as donations are gathered, giving people a glimpse of what they have to look forward to, “But some items you have to see to believe,” she said.

Students have also had their hand in preparing for the event as classes have been working on crafts to decorate the event with handmade fall-themed centerpieces. Students will then get to collect their artwork at the end of the evening to take home to embellish their own holiday tables.

Families are sure to leave full, as Scheffelmaier Meats and T.R. Excavating have teamed up to donate 100 pounds of ham for the event. Canyon Elementary also purchased 16 turkeys, which will be prepared by the Rose Lake Restaurant, who is also donating homemade gravy and stuffing. The food will be delivered in a continuous cycle during the event, to keep it hot and fresh for guests.

As usual, attendees will have a chance to get their hands on the leftovers, which will be packaged and auctioned off at the end of the night.

Along with the dinner and auction, the event will be bringing back the cakewalk room, carnival game area, and face painting for the kids to enjoy while parents bid on items that have caught their eye.

Tickets for the Canyon Elementary School Ham and Turkey Dinner will be sold at the door and are $7 each (ages 4 and under eat free). Dinner will be served from 4-6 p.m.

On behalf of the Canyon School Organization, Gloyn said she would like to thank everyone for their generous efforts.

“The Ham and Turkey is a long standing tradition at the Canyon school. It is put together every year by the committed members of the CSO which is made up of parent volunteers. We are beyond grateful for the community support, the donations we receive, the volunteers who come out to help with the event and everyone who attends. We’d also like to thank our auctioneer extraordinaire Darren Arave for providing his services. And Debbie Mann, who has graciously volunteered to come back for this event. Without her knowledge and knowhow of the past, we would be lost.”