Senior citizens luncheon another grand success

Superintendent Brad Bezeau presented Carolyn Supers with a plant in recognition of her tireless dedication and organization to continuing this longtime tradition at MCS.

by Marsha Chartrand

Another successful senior citizens luncheon was served at Riverside Intermediate School on Wednesday, December 6, along with stellar entertainment provided by the Riverside student body.

This long-standing tradition started at Klager Elementary School in the late 1970s and originated as a way to share the holiday spirit with grandparents and elder friends and neighbors of the third- and fourth-grade pupils at Klager. Parents and staff, with the help of the Manchester United Methodist Church kitchen (because the Klager “kitchen” was basically a sink and a stove!) and a lot of borrowed electric roasters and Crockpots, donated and created these meals with love for many years under the watchful eye of Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus Kuyda. Songs were sung by the Klager kids and all went home with full bellies and probably some of the Christmas spirit, too!

Now, a more efficient and modern process provides everyone with a lunch of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and donated homemade pies to honor the senior citizens of Manchester, “the heart and soul of our community,” and to thank them for their support of the school district and the kids. Expertly prepared in the modern kitchen at Riverside by the staff and served by student and community volunteers, it is a time of laughter, camaraderie, sharing of food and friendship, and music sung and played by the third- through sixth-graders, including a group sing-along of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

Thank you especially to Mrs. Carolyn Supers whose dedication and determination to keeping this project going — even despite the COVID-19 scares and shutdowns over the past few years — has indeed kept things on track.

Thanks also to Riverside secretary Katie Altherr for her planning skills, Mr. Throneberry and Mr. Schoendorff for sharing their amazing musical skills with the Riverside students, the Riverside kitchen and maintenance staffs for their many contributions, and to Dan Budd, dishwasher extraordinaire!

All smiles! After a long morning of hard work with her staff, Meghann Way is enjoying a time-out to document everyone doing their jobs well.

Middle schoolers were there to greet seniors, help them to their seats, and carry trays if needed.

Senior NHS members Maggie Feldkamp, Corey Horky, and Peyton Fether served meals.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.