December 21st, 2016

By: Cleo Pinheiro

The time has come for Grand River’s 25th annual Senior and Student Christmas Tea! GRCI has been running this event since 1991 and many seniors have been coming back ever since. As everyone says, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year to spend with friends and family” and the Christmas Tea is a great way to do just that. As a student with or without grandparents, you can always still participate in this spirited event. Whether it’s bringing in a relative, adopting a senior from a local retiring home, serving at the tea or performing, there is always room and place for you to participate.  As a student myself, I have came to recognize that not everyone feels connected to the holiday season, so the Senior Tea is an amazing opportunity to be a part of someone’s holiday.

My afternoon started out as a volunteer; many of us sat patiently waiting for their adopted seniors or grandparents to arrive. The cafeteria quickly filled with Christmas cheer and smiling faces. Ushers helped our guest to their seats and they were greeted by joyful teenagers eager to meet them. As the “hellos” and introduction were exchanged the afternoon fun began. I was seated at a table with three seniors: Pat, Mae and Margie. Margie and Pat are cousins and Mae is Pat’s girlfriend. As we got to know each other, we were surprised by the entertainment for the afternoon. The show began as we were greeted by our host for the Tea: Mr Medensky. We were dazzled by beautiful entertainment such as: our GRCI choir, a pianist, singers and even violinist. While everyone was intrigued by our talented Renegades, servers were coming around with lunch which included: punch, egg salad sandwiches, little wraps cut into pieces, baby quiches and macaroni balls. Every bite was prepared by Grand River’s own hospitality classes. As we nibbled and watched, it finally came time for an intermission where everyone had more time to get to know each other. For example, I found out that Pat was 96 years old. Out of sheer curiosity, I asked what his trick was to living that long, and his advice was simple: “drink pure black coffee every morning and a full glass of milk at every dinner”. And as we just talking about coffee and tea, the great servers came around again offering us some. The second half of the entertainment consisted of: flag turners, more singing, more pianists and most importantly dessert! For dessert our tea and coffee was accompanied with: gingerbread, shortbread squares, orange squares, floam trees and brownies. After the afternoon slowed down we sang Christmas carols and were visited by Santa! Before we knew it, the afternoon was came to a close resulting in many goodbyes and warm wishes for the holiday season. Personally, I won’t forget this event and cannot wait for next year 26th annual Senior Tea next year!

Grand River thanks everyone for coming out and enjoying the afternoon. We’d also like to give a very special thanks to all the staff and student who put many hours into planning a wonderful event. More thanks to our Alpha Kai Club, GRCI’s Me To We Club, GRCI’s Hospitality Classes,the Optimist Club of Stanley Park, M & M Meat Shops, Stanley Park Zehrs and Tim Horton’s- Ottawa St. N!

Categories: Student Voice