Linn Thornton's Christmas Day dinner

Mike and Phyllis Garrett were among the servers enjoying the camaraderie and the fun and volunteering at Linn Thornton's Christmas Day dinner. Mike's sister, Betsy Garrett, also joined them staffing the serving line. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Guests had no trouble digging in to the sumptuous and bountiful meal offered at Linn Thornton's Christmas Day dinner in Monett. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Servers were ready to dig in to a bounty of meat for diners at Linn Thornton's Christmas Day dinner. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Linn Thornton greeted those who came to visit him, tucked away inconspicuously in the corner of the First United Methodist Church's family life center, where he handed out gifts during the Christmas Day dinner. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Eddie Schiska, at left, and Ernie Thornton, at right, deep fried 150 pounds of fish just outside the family center at the First United Methodist Church in Monett for the 28th annual Christmas Day dinner, hosted by Linn Thornton. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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The serving line at the Christmas Day dinner. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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An army of volunteers packed Christmas dinners for home delivery and staffed the serving line for Linn Thornton's Christmas Day dinner. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Darrel Griffith headed off from Linn Thornton's Christmas Day dinner with a load of dinners packed for senior citizens in Purdy, part of the 320 meals delivered by volunteers. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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