Story and photos by Lisa Carolin
More than 230 diners along with plenty of volunteers came to the Chelsea Senior Center Friday, Nov. 22, to celebrate the annual Thanksgiving lunch.
“It’s wonderful to see so many smiling faces,” said Senior Center Executive Director Bill O’Reilly. “There’s lots to be thankful for.”
Leading the list was the latest news from Trinh Pifer, who formerly directed the senior center. Senior Center Board member Gary Munce read a note from Pifer to everyone saying that she is feeling stronger every day and grateful for it. Pifer has endured some serious health challenges and wrote that she is thankful for the simple gestures of kindness that she has received from so many people.
Munce also shared thanks to the Cole family for sponsoring the luncheon and to the team of volunteer celebrity servers made up of community leaders, elected officials, senior center board members and sponsors, as well as representatives from the school district and the Chelsea Kiwanis Club.
The senior center’s Mighty Cukes ukulele group provided the entertainment, and Tracy Dalton led the kitchen staff and volunteers in preparing a traditional Thanksgiving feast that included turkey, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and pumpkin pie.
Munce told the crowd that with more than 1,100 members, the Chelsea Senior Center is the largest senior center in Washtenaw County. He encouraged the crowd to return for the annual Christmas luncheon Dec. 20.
