The Thanksgiving Feast is an annual staple at the Mettawee Community School MCS). The holiday gathering has taken place in each of the school’s 25 year history except for two years during the pandemic. “I’ve seen them all,” said MCS pre-kindergarten teacher Priscilla Waterhouse as she looked out over the crowd. “This is one event that everyone in the community looks forward to every year. Everyone comes together to see old friends and enjoy each other's company. This day makes me cry happy buckets of tears.”
What makes the Feast stand out is its focus on senior citizens. The students perform the duties as hosts. Parents, Mettawee staff, and even a few recent school alumni volunteer to cook and serve the festive lunch. And the special guests of honor are seniors from surrounding towns.
The attendance approaches 250 with nearly half the crowd made up of elderly attendees. The kitchen prepared over 80 pounds of potatoes and some 140 pounds of turkey meat. Dozens of apple and pumpkin pies were homemade and brought to school by Mettawee student families.
“The kids invite grandparents and older neighbors and family friends,” said MCS Principal Brooke DeBonis. “We even keep a list of prior attendees and make sure to invite them to return. Their grandchildren may no longer be at the school, but they are still part of the Mettawee family.”
The crowd buzzed with smiles and greetings in the main lobby before entering the gymnasium. “I miss coming to this school every day to pick up my grandchildren,” said one elderly attendee. “It’s good to be back.”
The recipe for the Feast includes a mix of elements that goes far beyond food. There was a fifth grade student playing the violin as the crowd gathered in the lobby. All the students participated in an art project that featured a large colorful turkey with feathers listing things they were thankful for: Mom & Dad, dogs & cats, football & soccer, and being alive. Games, like a Thanksgiving themed word search, were placed on the tables that served as icebreakers before lunch.
Music plays a complementary role at the Feast. The kindergarten opened the ceremony singing “Things that I am Thankful For.” After the meal, everyone participated in a group sing-along of holiday songs. The play-list was topped off by a rousing rendition of “Over the River and Through the Woods” for the finale.
The students were all on their best behavior. Many were dressed more formally as they sat down eagerly to mix and mingle with their guests. Recent Mettawee grads came back to help out setting up the Feast and distributing the food. When asked why, one responded. “It’s a chance to see my old teachers and the Feast puts me in the holiday spirit.”
“I’ve worked at many other schools,” said one Mettawee teacher. “And the word that best describes Mettawee is happy. It’s just a happy place and it shows at an event like the feast.”
And that is something everyone can be thankful for.
A grandson and grandfather play a game of "word search" as they wait for the start of the Thanksgiving Feast.
A granddaughter and grandmother list things they are thankful for at the Mettawee Thanksgiving Feast.
One youngster is ready to eat at the Mettawee Thanksgiving Feast!
Fifth grader Magnolia Hughes-Muse performs for seniors in the Mettawee School lobby prior to the start of the Thanksgiving Feast.
Mettawee's 5th & 6th grade chorus leads the audience in a rousing rendition of "Over the River and Through the Woods" at the Thanksgiving Feast.