You are invited to Thanksgiving Dinner at West Brook

Thanksgiving Dinner at West Brook This kind invitation was received in the mail a couple of weeks ago inviting me, a senior, and a friend to attend their 4th Thanksgiving Day Dinner. It was held at the West Brook Middle School cafeteria from 10:30 to noon on Wednesday November 21st compliments of the school, the Rotary React Club and the school staff. As always, it was a delight to see our youths in positive action!
Joan Kelly Broe, principal of West Brook, extended the invitation and gave credit to all the people who participated in this gala event. Among them were Karen Petersen, React Advisor and Paramus Rotarian Marty Diamond who assisted in the servings. Not that Marty was needed .. these young adults were only too anxious to ensure that their guests were regally feted.

To give you an example, after refusing a multitude of offerings for a liquid, I finally, in desperation, ordered a soda. This was brought to my table with alacrity, but it didn't stop the horde from descending on me to see if I wanted more. This continued all through the meal and manifested itself again in the desserts. Many tasty varieties of pie and cookies were offered, enough to make one a candidate for ballast.

We were treated to offerings by the Strings ensemble led by Jocelyn Gertel, the Chorus led by Theresa Mello and the Jazz Band led by Lisa Ahrendt. The students provided musical entertainment to please everyone including offerings of Autumn by Vivaldi, America, and New York, New York.

The students made pastries before the meal and the aroma lured everyone to their batter prepared offerings.

Among those students participating were: Emily & Marco Aranda, Mohammad Bayat, Larissa Bosticco, Anthony Cafasso, Jamie Clipper, Deborah Daoud, Ariana Dellosa, Erin Dhaliwal, Lindsay Diamond, Sky DiGirolamo, Allie Johnstud, Thomas Lillo, Nikki Marks, Jessica & Kate Melillo, Jennifer Munoz, Joanne Pan, Ahiya Patel, Victoria Petrzzella, Lara Philbosia, Alyssa & Victoria Poplaski, Joseph Reveille, Dana Rizzo, Eric Sawyer, Taylor Schisani, Shahrgar Siamdoust, Rebecca Song and Frankie Ventura.

If one were to find fault, which one always can, it was that the tables and chairs were set for what seemed to be students and not far enough apart for seniors who had width and walkers! That was more than compensated for by the attendees of West Brook School who offered a package of cookies to everyone as we were leaving.

It's a pleasure to be able to write about the positive things that our youth does. It's a pleasure to be able to write about West Brook in a complimentary manner, especially after all the dirt that has been attributed to them.

Thank you West Brook!