7 Enduring Legacies Of FL Today's Thanksgiving 2017: From Mar-a-Lago To Ms. Dot's Dinner

The Thanksgiving holiday in 2017, as covered by *Florida Today* and other regional outlets, was a mix of high-profile political news, massive travel projections, and, most importantly, the quiet, powerful work of local Brevard County charities. Looking back from today, the most compelling stories are not the momentary headlines, but the enduring legacies of community service that continue to thrive years later.

This deep dive explores the key events and entities that defined the holiday on Florida’s Space Coast and across the state on Thursday, November 23, 2017, contrasting the news of the day with the lasting impact these organizations and figures have had since.

The Enduring Community Spirit: Brevard County's Charitable Legacies

The core of the holiday coverage in the Brevard County area focused on the monumental efforts of local citizens and organizations dedicated to ensuring no one went hungry. These events were already major traditions in 2017, but their continued growth highlights a powerful, sustained commitment to the community.

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1. The Space Coast Thanksgiving Basket Brigade: From 8th Annual to a Local Institution

In 2017, the Space Coast Thanksgiving Basket Brigade was celebrating its 8th Annual event, a massive volunteer effort that brought families together to package and personally deliver Thanksgiving meals to those in need.

This event, held at venues like Satellite High School, was a cornerstone of the Space Coast holiday season, relying on hundreds of volunteers to package hundreds of baskets filled with everything required for a full Thanksgiving dinner.

The Lasting Impact: Exponential Growth

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Years later, the Basket Brigade has become an even greater force for good, often aiming to deliver 3,500 baskets or more, a significant increase from its early years. The organization, now a staple of the Rockledge and Central Viera area, demonstrates the long-term commitment of Brevard County residents, proving that a single annual event can grow into a year-round entity supported by groups like the Space Coast Association of REALTORS®.

2. Ms. Dot Linson’s Annual Thanksgiving Dinner: A 26-Year Tradition That Continues

Another crucial element of the 2017 holiday was the 26th Annual Thanksgiving Community Luncheon hosted by humanitarian Dorothy "Ms. Dot" Linson.

Ms. Dot's dinner was, and remains, a hallmark Thanksgiving event in the region, drawing large crowds and providing a warm, free meal for those who would otherwise be alone or unable to afford a feast.

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The Current Status: An Unbreakable Commitment

The dedication of Ms. Dot Linson to serving her community has not wavered. The dinner has continued to be a beloved tradition, often in partnership with local entities like the Melbourne Police Department, solidifying its place as one of the longest-running and most reliable charitable events in Brevard County. The continuity of this event, spanning decades, offers a powerful counter-narrative to the often-fleeting nature of news cycles.

The National Spotlight: President Trump and the Florida "Winter White House"

While local news focused on the Space Coast, the national spotlight was firmly on South Florida, where President Donald Trump was spending the Thanksgiving holiday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach.

3. The Mar-a-Lago Teleconference with Troops

On Thanksgiving Day 2017, President Trump followed a tradition of speaking with members of the U.S. military serving overseas. He delivered a personal holiday message via teleconference from the Mar-a-Lago estate, speaking with troops from all five branches of the armed forces.

The event, held at the "Winter White House," provided a high-profile, Florida-centric national news story that dominated the headlines alongside the usual holiday coverage.

The Mar-a-Lago Entity: A Political Landmark

The 2017 visit was one of many that established Mar-a-Lago as a key political entity and a frequent backdrop for presidential holiday activities, a trend that continues to shape the political landscape and media coverage in Florida.

Travel, Traffic, and Safety: The Inevitable Holiday Rush

No Florida Thanksgiving news report is complete without a focus on the massive number of travelers hitting the roads, and 2017 was no exception. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and local Brevard County authorities were on high alert.

4. Record-Breaking Travel Projections

Leading up to Thanksgiving 2017, AAA projected a staggering 50.9 million Americans would journey 50 miles or more away from home for the holiday, marking a significant increase from the previous year.

Florida's major interstates, including I-95 and I-75, were expected to bear the brunt of this travel surge, leading to widespread traffic congestion throughout the state.

5. The Dark Side of the Holiday Rush: Fatal Crashes

Despite warnings from organizations like the Space Coast TPO (Transportation Planning Organization) about holiday traffic safety, the Thanksgiving period was marred by tragic incidents.

A particularly grim headline emerged the day after Thanksgiving, reporting a fatal wrong-way crash on I-75 that claimed multiple lives, a stark reminder of the dangers on Florida's roads during the holiday rush. The focus on traffic safety, including anti-drunk driving campaigns, became a major point of emphasis for local Brevard County law enforcement and media coverage, a topic that sadly remains relevant today.

6. Retail and Dining Adjustments

The 2017 holiday also highlighted the ongoing shift in retail traditions. *Florida Today* and other local news sources published extensive lists of what was open and, more importantly, what was closed on Thanksgiving Day.

While many major retailers were closed, pharmacies like CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens maintained regular or modified schedules, providing essential services. The trend of "Black Friday creep" was already a discussion point, but 2017 still saw a number of businesses respecting the holiday closure, focusing on family time.

7. The Continuing Legacy of Local Journalism

Ultimately, the coverage of "fl today thanksgiving 2017" serves as a historical marker for local journalism. The articles from that period—whether detailing the logistics of the Space Coast Basket Brigade, the warmth of Ms. Dot’s dinner, or the complexities of presidential visits—underscore the vital role that local news entities like *Florida Today* play in documenting both the high-stakes national events and the crucial, enduring human interest stories that truly define a community.

The stories that have lasted are those of service, growth, and the unbreakable spirit of Brevard County, a testament to the fact that the most impactful news often happens right in your own backyard.