Maple Avenue Elementary School Principal Mark Boyd marched into the cafeteria dressed from head to toe in a Pilgrim costume on Thursday, Nov. 20, to carve a turkey for the school’s annual Thanksgiving feast for the students.

Having donated the most canned goods in this year’s food drive, Christina Lamson’s second-grade class also dressed as Pilgrims and won the honor to eat their meal on “The Mayflower,” a giant Mayflower moving van donated for the day by McLaughlin Transportation.

This annual event was sponsored by the Maple Avenue PFT, the Goffstown police and fire departments and the school kitchen staff, who start preparing the food three days in advance.

“We cook 10 whole turkeys, and eight turkey roasts,” said head cook Cindy Torres. “We feed about 600.”

The meal included mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing and little cups full of colored cereal as appetizers. All the students and faculty eat free, and the entire meal is donated through PFT and kitchen donations.

The tables were decorated with place mats and centerpieces made by the students, and volunteers from the PFT hurried from table to table, helping cut food, catch spills, and replenish milk cartons and napkins.

Firefighter Josh Ledbetter pushed a cart full of pies and puddings, making sure each student was happy with their choice.

Adult volunteers helped themselves to some turkey after all the students returned to class.

“That’s our reward,” said Angela Martinez, president of the PFT. “I’ve done this seven times, and it’s always great.” Among those who prepared and served this year’s feast are kitchen staff Cindy Torres, Dawn Tabor, Diane Willard and Dianne Quigley.

Representing the Goffstown Fire Department were Mike Jubinville, Patrick LaForge, Matt Bechard, Jesse Koch, Mike Vogley, Josh Ledbetter and Bill Conner. Goffstown Police Chief Patrick Sullivan and officer Jim Mitchell were also on the serving line, as was prosecutor Kerry Steckowych.