Markaye Simpson’s children are grown and gone and her husband works out of town.
So rather than have Thanksgiving dinner alone, she’s cooking turkey and ham with all the fixings and inviting anyone in Yachats to join her.
Dinner is served from 2-5 p.m. Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, in the kitchen and multipurpose room of the Yachats Commons – or, as Simpson says “until the food runs out.” The dinner is free; people are welcome to bring something to share.
Simpson moved to Yachats a year ago after living all over Oregon and eastern Washington during her work career in food services.
“Doing food events is not something new to me,” she said. “But I’m still saying a prayer that my turkey turns out OK.”
The dinner is open to anyone who wants to share a meal – anyone without a home or food or somewhere else to go or doesn’t want to eat alone Thursday. While Simpson has advertised the dinner on Facebook and on a couple of bulletin boards around town, she’s not certain how many people might show up.
Simpson is cooking one large turkey, a ham and will have traditional stuffing, regular and sweet potatoes, salads, breads and pies.
“Don’t feel like you have to be alone on a holiday,” she said.
As it turns out, Simpson won’t be without family.
Her son, Alex, who lives in Bend, heard about his mother’s dinner and is now driving over with a friend to help in the kitchen.
“We’re just sharing our dinner,” Simpson said. “It’s something different. Why not?”