Clouds and downtown buildings are reflected at about 4 p.m. on Nov. 22 in the Kennebec River in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Ted Potter, left, Diane Potter, Betty White and Donna White collect turkey donations Nov. 23 outside the Goldfinch Creamery Cafe and Bakery at 316 Water St. in Gardiner. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

Jonnathon Lara, the executive chef at Front & Main at the Lockwood Hotel at 9 Main St. in downtown Waterville, prepares Thanksgiving turkeys Nov. 26 at the restaurant’s kitchen. Lara says he is leaving Waterville to return to his hometown of El Paso, Texas. As a parting gift to the community, Lara and members of his staff have made and sold tamales as a fundraiser for the Maine Children’s Home at 93 Silver St. in Waterville. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Charlotte Elliott adjusts her turkey hat Nov. 23 while running in the Gardiner Rotary 5K Turkey Trot on the Kennebec Valley Rail Trail in Farmingdale. Organizers say 33 participants are in the 5K fundraiser that begins at Hannaford in Gardiner, heads south through Farmingdale and comes back again. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Girl Scouts, from left,  Sophia Tracy and Avery Gurski, both 7, join Emersyn Pierce, 6, in making pies Nov. 26 at Messalonskee High School in Oakland. The pies are to be served Nov. 28 at the Messalonskee Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the school. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Heather Hibbert, left, rests her head on Al Penney Sr.’s shoulder Nov. 28 as Penney sings an Elvis Presley song during the annual Messalonskee Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Messalonskee High School in Oakland. Penney is dressed as Elvis for the occasion. Hibbert of Winthrop is Penney’s stepdaughter. She is joined by her mother, Eileen Hibbert-Penney, right, of Benton and other family members. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

A dog named Opal wears a turkey costume while walking Nov. 28 with Carly Wiggin during the annual Gasping Gobbler 5K at Cony Middle and High School at 60 Pierce Drive in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal