A 37 Year Tradition Continues

The Mauriceville Elementary School will be transformed into Santa’s Winter Wonderland at 5 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 7. All past and present Mauriceville residents, 55 and older, are invited to come join the fun. Each year the supper features a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and gifts from Santa and his elves. Music will be provided by the Marin Family, an area gospel group. Judge Derry Dunn will be the master of ceremonies. Get there early to have a cup of coffee, reminisce with old friends and make a trip down memory lane with 36 years of Senior Citizen Supper photos. Who knows, you may see a picture of yourself in the many photo books.

Mary Jane Johnson, Patsy and Orey Viator, Roger Holsomback and Nelda Burton are just a few of the many volunteers who have kept up the idea of “Cha Cha” Holsomback. The Senior Citizen’s Supper started as a dream of Holsomback 37 years ago. Cha Cha wanted to do something nice for the senior citizens of Mauriceville as a gesture of gratitude to them. At first, she was going to host the supper at her house, but as the guest numbers grew, she quickly knew she would have to find another location . Kid’s Cafe became the next best place to hold the dinner. This site soon became too small as the numbers continued to grow, so Cha Cha moved the event to the school.

The first year about 68 senior citizens showed up. The year Cha Cha died, more than 230 seniors attended the annual supper. With the promise made to Cha Cha to continue the supper, the event continues to grow each year. The cost of the supper usually runs between $2,000 and $3,000 and is totally funded by generous donations from the community. Each senior attending receives a wonderful meal along with a gift from Santa. People who are home bound are not left out. Their suppers are delivered to them, along with a fruit basket. Most of the food is made in volunteers’ households, then transferred to cafeteria personnel, who prepare it for the guests.

Each year, there is a Cha Cha Memorial Scholarship given to a deserving Little Cypress Mauriceville student. Prizes are given to the oldest woman and the oldest man. For years, the oldest man prize was given to the Late King Dunn. Mr. Dunn will be missed. Prizes are also given to the person who traveled the farthest and the oldest graduate from Mauriceville. There is also a Good Samaritan Award given.

For more information call Mary Jane Johnson at 409-745-1357, Patsy Viator at 409-745-1308, or Nelda Burton at 409-882-4436.