A touch of America came to Mount Burr on the weekend when the general store hosted a Thanksgiving dinner.

In what is believed to be a first for the premises, a temporary licence was secured so alcohol could be consumed on the Thomas Drive premises for a portion of both days.

Thanksgiving Day is an annual national holiday in the USA and Canada and celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the past year.

General store proprietors George and Rosie Copelin were behind the special commemorative event and arranged special food, decorations and music.

The couple have operated the store for two years after “Aussie Rosie” persuaded her newlywed husband to emigrate from the USA to her homeland.

With training and a background in commercial cookery and some assistance from Millicent caterers, George put on an American-style feast.

“We served up BBQ pork spare ribs, BBQ chicken and smoked pork belly,” George said. “Such recorded music as rhythm, blues and soul was played in the shop.”

They are open to the idea of having a special celebration on July 4 next year to mark American Independence Day.

With his American background, George is often quizzed about the current presidential election, but he does not offer an opinion.

“Politics and religion are not discussed in the shop,” he said.