As the holiday season approaches, people usually take a moment to stop, look around and appreciate the things for which they are thankful.

Residents in Coupeville should have a lot of thankfulness.

They get to live in a beautiful, charming community that does so much to support each other.

Next week as people gear up for a day of roasted turkey and football, many in the community will be gathering at the Coupeville Rec Hall for a community Thanksgiving potluck.

The annual event starts at noon and goes until food runs out.

Volunteers provide and cook the main courses and the public is invited to participate by bringing a side dish.

Attendance could exceed 200 people.

This is just one of the upcoming events this holiday season the lucky people in Coupeville get to look forward to.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, families can come back to the Rec Hall for a gingerbread workshop hosted by the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association.

The association provides materials for everyone to make festive gingerbread creations, offering some good ole’ family fun.

This event segues into a contest sponsored by The Whidbey Examiner and Coupeville Library.

After creating your gingerbread masterpiece, we invite you to drop off your creation at the library for the Fourth Annual Gingerbread Challenge.

With an entry fee of nonperishable food items for Gifts from the Heart food bank, contestants are eligible to win a prize in one of three categories — youth, adult and people’s choice.

The public is invited to vote on entries at the library starting Nov. 30 until Friday, Dec. 20.

Winners will be announced 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22 during the Red Ticket Drawing on the steps of the Island County Historical Museum.

With so many fun and community-oriented activities and events in this town, the holidays should be brimming with thanks.

— Megan Hansen is editor of The Whidbey Examiner. She can be reached at mhansen@whidbeynews

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