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By Katrina Margolis
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Thanksgiving is a time for appreciating what you have, enjoying the company of friends new and old, and indulging in copious amounts of delicious food. The Thanksgiving Luncheon at the Westwood Council on Aging encompasses all of these things, and more. The third annual celebration was the busiest yet – so busy, in fact, that they ran out of parking. Lina Arena-DeRosa, Director, made a point to ask the police if they would be okay with people parking on the street, so which he responded that he too was parked there. The event has been popular in years past, but this year took the cake.
“Everyone really enjoys it, especially being able to get together. The food is great, and Lina does a fantastic job. She’s done this every year since she took over,” Maria said, as she waited in line for food. Maria has attended every Thanksgiving Luncheon since its beginning. “They offer a full turkey dinner and it’s only five dollars. They also offer entertainment, which is different every year.”
This year, students from Westwood High School performed for the diners. The director of music from kindergarten to 12th grade, Heather, explained that they offer this opportunity every year. “We’ve done this for a number of years, but we don’t always play at Thanksgiving. They’re all high school students who are also in the National Honor Society. They have a certain number of community service hours they have to fulfill, and so this is an opportunity we always offer.” Some students were brave enough to perform solos, one high school junior belting out “La Vie En Rose” beautifully. Others played in duets – one particularly memorable combination was an oboe and flute, accompanied by the piano.
The event even drew in local officials, such as Michael Walsh, who attends every event the Senior Center puts on. “We almost need a bigger senior center! We had to turn some people away which is a shame, but we do our best,” he said. “Lina and the staff do a fantastic job, and no one ever leaves disappointed.”
Overall, the event abounded with good cheer and smiles, a fortuitous glance at what each of our own Thanksgivings have to offer.
