Heart of Christmas dinner

Philip Shore

For the Randolph Hub

ASHEBORO – Santa here. Merry Claus and I want to report on a big event at the Randolph Senior Adult Center this past Christmas Day. It was a wondrous event — The Heart of Christmas Dinner. 

The dinner celebrated its 10th year with about 150 guests, all seniors, and somewhere near 100 helpers of all ages.

There was music and carols, of course; there was line dancing; there was bingo; there was joyous chitchat at tables all around the main room. There was no pressure; no fee; no commercial anything — just Christmas! 

FOOD! I forgot to say there was food. And how! There is an old phrase — the groaning board — to describe an abundance of comestibles, treats and goodies. A board being a table grunting with the weight of food. With regard to the Dinner, the board was howling!

Who was there? Oh, just everyone. The Mayor was in the kitchen. Peggy Kilburn, who organized the event in honor of her husband Howard whose spirit permeated the whole thing, was everywhere making sure the I's got dotted and the T’s crossed. Alisa McNeill was a rockin’ MC. Dan Higgins led the Bingo games with gusto. Busta Brown got down and stirred things up. And the grand finale led by Ann Shirk had the whole room joyously singing “Silent Night” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

We ate on festive party plates with red linen napkins. We sipped from clear vessels and we were waited on hand and foot by all those helpers. Each guest got a goody bag to take home. 

It is very difficult to describe how carefree the afternoon was. Sometimes Christmastime can be lonely and rough. It is very evident that numerous hands, hearts and wallets went to the creation of this time.

Generosity and good cheer were prevalent. And I got a dance with Merry in the center of the room.

And so, as Tiny Tim once said: “God bless us, every one!”