Merry gathering for senior citizens at NOVA’s Manassas campus for 22nd year

A merry gathering of more than 150 people enjoyed the 22nd annual Senior Citizens Holiday Celebration recently at the Manassas Campus of Northern Virginia Community College.

Carol Lemmon, chairman of the event, for the first time, welcomed the crowd to the luncheon, saying “I’m honored and very excited for being selected to head up the best event on campus.”

She thanked the seniors for bringing holiday spirit to the campus and promised them a “great program.”

NBC-4 meterorologist Chuck Bell served as master of ceremonies and set the mood for a fun afternoon by saying “I must be doing a good job because I’ve been asked to come here for the fourth year I a row. I’m pleased to be here.”

Manassas Mayor Harry J. Parrish II brought greetings from the City and wished everyone a happy holiday season.

“It’s always great to be back and see so many faces I recognize,” he said.

Provost Roger Ramsammy also welcomed the attendees and promised them a celebration “to even top last year’s great luncheon.”

The event got off to a holiday upbeat with a performance by “Men in Song” under the direction of Janet Lunsford.

The all-men chorus from Heritage Hunt, Gainesville, sang many familiar holiday tune with the audience joining in with familiarones like “White Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

Dozens of NOVA student volunteered to decorate the room, serve the food and participate in the program.

The menu consisted by turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, seasoned corn, glazed carrots, green beans, fresh cranberry relish, giblet gravy, rolls and a choice of pumpkin, coconut and banana cream pie.

Musical selection were given by Maria Maca, soloist, Danitra Lemmon, saxophone, Gabrielle Murkowski, soloist, and Jonathan Simmons, guitar, and NOVA’s Tap Dancers.

After lunch, a troupe of elves (otherwise known as students, faculty and staff) helped St. Nick distribute gifts to the guests.

The 2013 luncheon committee in addition to Lemmon, who was serving as chairman for the first time, included Alicia Grande, Tayoka Jordan, Cindy Klink, Yannick Ladson, Frank Maia, Cinthia Rinebold, Marrium Saleem, Marcie Schreibman, and RamundaYoung.

Among those in attendance was Betty Glasco, 70, of Manassas who has been coming for 10 years and always has a good time.

“It’s a chance to mingle with a lot of people, to have a good time and eat some good food,” she said with a smile

Coming for the fourth year was Phyllis Hedrick who brought along her friend Judy Golladay who was attending for the first time.
“I always enjoy coming. I love the fellowship, the food and the entertainment. It’s a wonderful day,” said Hedrick.

The event was begun by the Students for Black Concerns as a way of giving back to the community. The event started small with as few as 20 people for the first luncheon but has grown to a turn-away crowd of 150 because of limited space.