Tim Rice, owner of TNT Power Washing LLC, wanted to show his appreciation to his hometown by serving a Community Thanksgiving Dinner. This appreciation dinner is for anyone who would like to attend or who would just like some company on Tuesday, Nov. 21 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. (or until the food is gone) at Checotah Senior Community Center.

“A lot of people need help this year and since we have been so blessed in our business we just wanted to return the blessing,” Tim said. “We wanted to show our appreciation to not just our customers but our hometown.”

All the food will be prepared by Watsons Meat Market, another local business. There will be smoked turkey, ham, potato salad, baked beans, cornbread stuffing and more. Desserts are being donated by Karen Hyatt.

“This really is my mom’s mantle that I am picking up since she passed away in early April of this year.”

Tims mom, Beverly Ann Barrow, always did Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas for others and those less fortunate out on Texanna Road and in the Checotah area. Because she moved quite a bit, friends became more like family to her. She really loved to help the underprivileged. That’s why she also became an Ombudsman, which is an advocate for nursing home patients.

“My mom was a straight forward person, who was feisty but had a huge heart. Though she’s still missed every day, I think she would be proud of me picking up and carrying her torch. I guess you’d call it a legacy of love. Of course, I have the help of my wife, Kristy Rice and sister, Kim Codner and a wonderful community of friends.”