THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411220248
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 119 lines
YOU COULD SMELL the anticipation in the air - along with the green beans, rolls and turkey. Dozens of youngsters - ranging in age from 5 to 15 - sat side by side at the long, paper-covered tables, ready for their Thanksgiving feast at the Ingleside Recreation Center.
The annual free event brought children in from the rain to enjoy a hot meal, exactly one week before Thanksgiving Day.
Their restlessness was understandable. Just a few feet away from them sat the food, waiting to be devoured. The meal included turkey, ham, stuffing, rolls, green beans, french fries and cake for dessert.
``They love this,'' said Prezillia Elliott, supervisor of the center. ``This is our gift to the children.''
Elliott and her assistant, Clarice Gregory, opened the rec center at 9 a.m. that day to begin cooking the food. By the time the kids were ready to say their blessing, Elliott was pouring yet another bag of french fries into the hot oil.
``The children didn't want potato salad,'' Elliott said as she took a break. ``They wanted french fries.''
But despite all-day-long kitchen duty, Elliott was having a great time. Bopping up and down in her blue sweats, she was a bundle of energy.
``We don't miss a beat here,'' said Elliott, who has been the Ingleside supervisor for three years. ``We have already put out fliers for the Easter egg hunt and the Sweetheart Ball in February. We celebrate every holiday.''
The Thanksgiving dinner, Elliott said, has been held every year for the 23 years she has been with the Department of Parks and Recreation. In the past it has been held on the day before Thanksgiving, but because the center will be closed for painting on that date, she decided to throw their celebration a week early.
Usually 75 to 80 kids come out to the dinner, Elliott said, and she prepared enough food for 150. But because of the wind and rain, she only expected about 50 this year.
``This is fun,'' Elliott said. ``We enjoy doing this.''
After a quick blessing, the youths lined up in groups of four at the serving table.
Keesha Royals, Andrea Wilson, Shakeda Brehon and Keneshia Smith sat at the end of the table, anxious for their turn in line. Brehon, 11, said she didn't mind walking through the rain to get to the dinner because she has a lot to be thankful for.
``I'd like to thank Ms. Elliott and Ms. Gregory because they're helping us and doing things for us,'' Brehon said.
Smith, 14, said she was looking forward to the after-dinner dance at the center.
``I'm giving thanks for the center and being here another year,'' she said. ``and for the food.''
Hip-hop music pumped from a stereo as the kids went back for seconds, thirds and even fourth helpings. After eating they filed one by one to the rec center's open area, where they started to dance, wrestle and run.
Maureen Mucthison, a volunteer at the center, said the Thanksgiving dinner is an event that has proved successful in the past.
``This is something they normally wouldn't have . . . and they get to spend time together,'' Mucthison said. ``It's a positive outlet for them.''
At the rec center, Mucthison said, Elliott and Gregory are providing a good alternative to walking up and down the streets.
``We need more people like these ladies to give back,'' she said. ``They're very good with these kids. They give them a lot of respect.''
Volunteer Rhonda Morrow, 21, said the kids were really looking forward to this year's dinner.
``It seems like a good thing,'' Morrow said as she helped pour drinks. ``Considering the weather it turned out great.''
Jennifer Grow agreed, but she said she also is looking forward to the actual Thanksgiving Day.
``I liked that it had great food and I got to play. I like the turkey and the ham and other foods,'' said Grow, 9.
For Britney Blackman, 8, the Ingleside center is the perfect place for activities like this.
``I like the turkey, the cake,'' she said. ``The dancing was the best part.''
While the children danced, Elliott, Gregory and Mucthison cleaned the kitchen and began packing away the food. The day, Gregory said, was beginning to take its toll.
``We've been cooking since 9,'' she said. ``Yes, I am tired.''
Taking a break from the dance floor, Vincent Freeman said the Thanksgiving dinner was a great idea.
``I had a nice meal. Most of my friends were here, and it was fun,'' said Freeman, 12. ``I'm thankful for the world, my friends and my family. I didn't mind coming out in the rain because it's fun.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color Photos by GARY C. KNAPP
ON THE COVER
After spending all day preparing the meal, Clarice Gregory serves
dinner to 6-year-old Ashley Blackman at the Ingleside Recreation
Center.
Brandon Williams, 14, and Britney Blackman, 8, joined their friends
in devouring the free dinner.
Photos by GARY C. KNAPP
Clarice Gregory works on the meal that included turkey, ham,
stuffing, rolls, green beans, french fries and cake for dessert.
Stormy weather kept the tables from being full, but those who braved
the rain enjoyed eating dinner with their friends.
Six-year-old Ashley Blackman was among the dozens of youngsters who
filled their plates with turkey and trimmings.
After preparing the Thanksgiving dinner, Gregory serves the meal to
youngsters who couldn't wait to fill their plates. Some of the kids
came back for seconds, thirds and even fourth helpings.
by CNB