You are invited to Thanksgiving Dinner at West Brook

Thanksgiving dinner at West Brook It was exhilarating to get a letter in the mail inviting me to a Thanksgiving Dinner for Senior Citizens at West Brook Middle School. I have attended them in the past and this is their 5th one. It gave me a chance to meet up with Principal Joan Broe and React Advisor Karen Peterson, friends of mine.
My companions enjoyed the scurrying of the students as they served the meals and made sure that their visitors were well attended. One young lady must have come to our table, as she did to other tables, about 15 times offering us a choice of salt or pepper shakers for our food. Others asked about drinks to the point that one wished they could drink gallons of liquids. These young adults came around offering seconds of delicious turkey platters and even had sheets of aluminum foil for those that wanted to take leftovers home.

When it came to dessert, pies of almost every flavor, once again, these 'busy bees' kept coming around hoping to be able to have their offering snapped up so that they could go back and get more.

I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Superintendent of Schools, Dr. James Montessano. In the short time that he has been here, his grasp of Paramus is intense. Attending his introductory speech a few months ago, he was impressive then, he was more impressive in person.

Also in attendance were Dr. Joseph Lupo, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. From West Brook, we had Principal Joan Broe, Vice Principal Dr. Nicholas Bernice . React Advisors Karen Peterson, Elaine Jenkins and Joanne Kapr, Music Teachers: Rebecca Lee- Vocal Selections from Guys and Dolls, Jocelyn Gertel- String Selections and Lisa Ahrendt- Holiday Favorites

One would be remiss if they didn't offer Special Thanks to the secretarial staff- Josephine Znutas and Diane Defeo, kitchen staff and custodial staff under the supervision of Bill Castelonia and all the West Brook staff who donated food, cooked food and served at the luncheon.

Several of the musical offerings were guided by percussion instruments., I just love percussion music. Stopping by to chat with Bernie Nickel, who was sitting near to the front, Bernie commented that the music was really loud. He was subjected to the quip: 'Bernie, these are Senior Citizens; the music has to be loud.'

At the door one did not leave until they were wished a Happy Thanksgiving and given a bag of cookies from the students.