Hemlock Public School District recently welcomed more than 300 senior citizens to Hemlock Middle School for the 54th Annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner, a beloved tradition that began over half a century ago as a simple “thank you” to local residents who helped make Hemlock schools possible.
What started over fifty years ago as a small community meal has grown into a signature November event, now joined by Senior Bingo nights and a spring brunch, all designed to keep the district closely connected to the seniors who built and continue to sustain the Hemlock community.
“This dinner is one of the best things we do all year,” said Superintendent Dr. Don Killingbeck. “In one room, you can see our past, present, and future—students serving side by side with staff and volunteers, thanking the very people who invested in these schools decades ago. It’s a living example of what we mean when we say, ‘Small Town. Big Opportunities.’”
A Feast Made With Care
Guests enjoyed a full traditional Thanksgiving meal—turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, rolls, and dessert—carefully prepared and served by the Hemlock Public School District Food Service Department. The team planned, cooked, and plated hundreds of meals with the same attention to detail they bring to students each day, supported by adult volunteers and student helpers who moved from table to table with warm smiles and second helpings.
“Our Food Service Department knocked it out of the park again,” said Dr. Killingbeck. “They don’t just cook; they care. The quality of the meal and the way it was served made our seniors feel honored and at home.”
Behind the scenes, district custodians made the event possible by transforming the middle school spaces—setting up tables, managing traffic flow, keeping everything spotless, and then turning the building back around for school the next business day. Their work ensured that the entire event ran smoothly and comfortably for guests.
Music, Memories, and a Familiar Face from TV
The afternoon program blended food, music, and fellowship. Hemlock High School student Sage Lavigne provided live piano music as seniors arrived and during the meal, offering a thoughtful mix of familiar standards and seasonal tunes. Select members of the Hemlock Band added to the atmosphere with special musical selections that had toes tapping and heads gently nodding along.
Adding a bit of star power, WNEM TV5 Chief Meteorologist Chris Easlick served as co–Master of Ceremonies for the event, bringing the same calm, friendly presence Hemlock viewers are used to seeing during the evening weather forecast. Easlick helped welcome guests, introduced student performers, and joined in the fun of announcing door prizes, all while reminding everyone just how special it is when a small town shows up for its seniors.
“This is what a community looks like,” Easlick told the crowd. “You can feel the gratitude and the joy in the room. It’s an honor to be part of it.”
Students and Staff “Pull the Sled” Together
The event was led by the Hemlock Middle School leadership team, including Principal Lori Gensch and Dean Inabinet, who worked alongside students to greet guests, serve meals, and deliver prizes. Their leadership helped set a tone of service and respect, with middle school students modeling kindness and hospitality throughout the afternoon.
“Watching our students serve, laugh, and listen at the tables is powerful,” said Board of Education President Matthew Wesener. “For 54 years, this dinner has reminded us that schools are more than classrooms and tests—they’re about relationships. Our seniors built this community, and we have a responsibility to honor them. This tradition is one of the clearest ways we live out that commitment year after year.”
The district’s central office team also played a quiet but critical role. Executive Assistant Lela Gronski and the administration office staff coordinated invitations, phone calls, RSVPs, seat assignments, donations, and prizes—work that began weeks before the first plate of turkey was ever served. From organizing community contributions to making sure that no senior was overlooked, their behind-the-scenes efforts helped the afternoon feel personal and seamless for every guest.
Voices From Those Who Started It All
For many in attendance, this isn’t just a meal—it’s part of the rhythm of their lives in Hemlock.
“I’ve been coming to this dinner for more years than I can count,” said one longtime senior citizen attendee, smiling as student volunteers refilled coffee cups at their table. “You don’t get this kind of thing everywhere. The food is wonderful, but it’s the kids and staff that keep us coming back. When you walk in here, you feel like family.”
Door prizes and drawings, made possible by donations from local businesses and community partners, added excitement and laughter between courses. Seniors clapped and cheered as friends and neighbors won gift cards, seasonal baskets, and other tokens of appreciation, continuing a tradition of business and school partnerships that has surrounded the dinner from its earliest days.
More Than a Meal | A Year-Round Commitment to Seniors
The Thanksgiving dinner has grown into part of a broader effort by Hemlock Public School District to stay meaningfully connected with senior citizens. The district now also hosts Senior Bingo nights and a Spring Brunch, creating multiple touchpoints throughout the year for seniors to visit campus, interact with students, and see firsthand how their long-standing support continues to shape the future.
“As a board and as a district, we talk a lot about being good neighbors,” Wesener added. “Our seniors voted for school bonds, volunteered in classrooms, paid taxes, and showed up for generations of children. Events like this Thanksgiving Dinner are one way we say, ‘We remember, and we’re grateful.’ We’re committed to keeping that promise.”
Hemlock Public School District extends heartfelt thanks to:
The Director of Food Service, Billie Jo Davis and her entire team for an outstanding meal
The custodial team for preparing and restoring the building
Sage Lavigne and select members of the Hemlock Band for sharing their musical talents
Chris Easlick of WNEM TV5 for lending his voice and presence as co–Master of Ceremonies
The Hemlock Middle School leadership team, including Principal Gensch and Dean Inabinet
Executive Assistant Lela Gronski, the administration office staff, and the many students, staff, volunteers, and community partners whose quiet work made the event a success
Together, they helped ensure that the 54th Annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner was more than just a meal—it was a powerful reminder that in Hemlock, generations stand shoulder to shoulder, honoring the past while investing in the future.
For more information about this event or other positive happenings in Hemlock Public School District, please contact the district office at 989-642-5282 or visit the district website at hemlockps.com.