Riverside senior luncheon follows 45 years of tradition
Third graders, taught by Sarah McCaffrey and Ron Tindall, were introduced by classmates Lucas Rang and Taylor Nickerson. The class sang an enthusiastic rendition of “Deck the Halls,“ a carol that dates to the 19th century.
It was an open house honoring some of Manchester’s most honorable citizens — its senior citizens.
As the students have since around 1975, first at Klager Elementary School and now at Riverside Elementary School, they welcomed the senior citizens of our community to the school for a meal and some great entertainment. Vocal music by grades three and four, and instrumental music by the fifth- and sixth-grade bands, were the highlight of the day. And during the meal, seniors were treated to a variety of Christmas musical selections by MHS alumna Judy Fiegel and Riverside student Garrett Casey.
The program started with counselor Heidi Huber-Stein, also an MHS (and Klager!) alum, who recalled the history of the senior meal and her own experiences as a fourth-grader at Klager participating in this special event.
“Hosting a holiday meal for local seniors is a long-standing tradition,“ Huber-Stein said. “From the best of our current recollection, this started on or just before 1975. The dinner was first a Thanksgiving feast cooked by the parents of fourth graders and their teachers. Don Tassie, the principal at Klager for many years, and (longtime fourth-grade teacher) Bart Bartels are given credit for starting the dinner. Room mothers would deliver the turkeys to other parents for the turkeys to be cooked in their homes. Parents also baked pies at home. Teachers mixed the dressing for the coleslaw at home. Green beans were done in slow cookers right in the 4th-grade classrooms. The 4th graders themselves would peel the potatoes and carrots. Students helped fund the whole project by bringing in 50 cents each.“
Those who remember the old kitchen at Klager may recall it was a very narrow space; almost a hallway. It had a sink, a regular kitchen stove and refrigerator, and limited counter space. Somehow, the cooked turkeys were brought to this space to be carved by volunteers, until the food preparation part was moved to the kitchen of the United Methodist Church next door.
“I imagine there was some frustration with the Klager kitchen,“ Huber-Stein said with a chuckle. “Eventually, the whole school, not just the fourth grade, became more involved. Entertainment was added through the music program with each grade singing two or three songs.
“The event was used to connect the students with grandparents and the seniors of the community. Practicing manners and being good hosts are still important skills for our students to practice,“ she concluded.
This year, as for the past few years, the dinner was coordinated by retired (and still substitute) teacher Ms. Carolyn Supers. Nowadays, the kitchen staff at Riverside cooks the entire meal, and parents help out with desserts and assisting in the kitchen. The full turkey dinner was enjoyed by the many, many seniors in attendance. This year was one of the best crowds ever!
Riverside Intermediate School certainly “Decked the Halls“ for last Wednesday’s senior luncheon.
Fourth-grade students enjoyed singing about Frosty the Snowman. The class and their song were introduced by Henry Budd. Fourth-grade teachers are Nick Niehaus and Cindy Hanewald.
The fifth-grade band was conducted by both Mr. Jared Throneberry (pictured) and Mr. Ed Schoendorff.
The sixth-grade band’s stellar performance showed how much they have learned in just two years of playing instrumental music. Conducted by Mr. Ed Schoendorff.
At your service: Kids and parents alike helped out at the meal!
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