Giving thanks along the Avenue

VINELAND - An unofficial greeter, Luis Algarin welcomed passersby into the Best of Southern Cooking to enjoy a complimentary Thanksgiving dinner Thursday afternoon.

His 13-year-old son, Zechariah, held the door open and a chorus of laughter and music coaxed patrons inside the restaurant located in the 600 block of Landis Avenue.

For a second year, executive chef Sam Fowler gave his restaurant’s cash register the day off and cooked for the community.

Volunteers, many from local churches, manned the buffet of turkey, fried chicken and all the trimmings, including a mouth-watering macaroni and cheese.

“Soul food with heart,” chef Joe Johnson dubbed it.

A block down the avenue, the basement of the First United Methodist Church was abuzz with a crowd celebrating the holiday with food and fellowship.

Chef Jeffrey Kneer was pulling dry-rub smoked turkeys from the oven, ready to be carved. He freely shared his recipe.

“Two cups love, one cup salt,” he said.

Volunteering his culinary talents is his Thanksgiving tradition.

“It’s important to give back for no other reason other than to give back,” Kneer said.

While Kneer oversaw the cooking and volunteer kitchen crew, Pastor Susan Flicker handled hosting duties, making sure everyone was welcome and well-fed.

Camaraderie wasn’t confined by the church walls. The church delivered meals to those who couldn’t attend the dinner. More than 100 takeouts were dispatched to In His Presence Church in Millville to distribute through its network of giving.

After opening the doors to diners, Flicker offered a Thanksgiving prayer.

“Thank you for those who came really early this morning and cooked, cut and seasoned and prepared this delicious meal for us — we thank you for those who have hearts and hands to serve,” she said. “We thank you for those who are going to sit and talk with one another and share stories and share Thanksgiving together."

Guests settled around cloth-draped tables decorated with holiday placements handcrafted by Compass Academy School youngsters.

“They are here for different reasons,” said Flicker, pleased to offer diners a place to celebrate their blessings.

Calvin Marshall, 47, of Vineland, came to dinner dapper in a suit.

“I’m a little bit homeless,” he said. Through word of mouth, he heard about the church’s Thanksgiving dinner.

“The Lord brought me here, his spirit touched me,” Marshall said, “It was a blessing.”

Marshall enjoyed his warm meal and hot coffee.

Such simple pleasures were so appreciated.

“I thank God for being alive,” he said with a smile and a rub of his full belly.

A few tables over, Nancy Drayton was marking a new family Thanksgiving tradition with her son, Lonnie Jr., and friend, Evelyn Stewart.

“I’m a widow,” Drayton said, noting she feels her loss more on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Her husband, Lonnie Drayton Sr., was a trucker and often on the road but he always made it home for family meals on the holidays.

“I kinda miss it,” she said.

Last year Drayton came to the First United Methodist Church for a Thanksgiving meal and enjoyed it. She returned this year in her festive finery to share the day with her son and friends.

At the Best of Southern Cooking, Fowler encouraged everyone to enjoy a meal and then take one home.  After all, isn’t it one of the holiday’s pleasures to enjoy leftovers.

Emily Chandler of Vineland heard about the Best of Southern Cooking celebration through her work colleagues at Sabater Elementary School.

The school’s special education students made takeout goodie bags to spread Happy Thanksgiving cheer and the school staff made desserts that were delivered to the restaurant on Wednesday.

Chandler invited her brother, James Douglas of Millville, to join her for dinner. Her meal was delicious, she said, noting there was nothing left on her plate.

The dining room atmosphere was family-friendly and seemed full of friends you just hadn't met yet.

Chandler had a takeout meal wrapped up to take to a cousin who was under the weather.

“There is no reason for anyone to be hungry on Thanksgiving,” Chandler said. “Or alone."

Those who stopped by both places may have noticed Angel and Tyrone Langston, who offered their helping hands at both community dinners.

A few years ago, they were down on their luck.

“There was a time when we were homeless,” Angel Langston said, recounting their nights in Landis Park.

“We had our own demons to deal with,” Tyrone said.

They battled to overcome their demons together, and with wide smiles they devoted their day of thanks to helping others.

Deborah M. Marko; (856) 563-5256; dmarko@gannettnj.com