Skip to content

Seniors gather for an early turkey celebration

For four years Daniel Chiu (of Copper Fields – A Sustainable Grand Forks Community) and wife Jennifer have been organizing early Thanksgiving lunches for the seniors of Grand Forks in appreciation for all their hard work.
76379grandforksGFGSnrThanksgiving111006-2
Debra Burgess

For four years Daniel Chiu (of Copper Fields – A Sustainable Grand Forks Community) and wife Jennifer have been organizing early Thanksgiving lunches for the seniors of Grand Forks in appreciation for all their hard work.

Chiu explained that he has been organizing events like these for the past 30 years.

“Not just in Grand Forks, but also in the Lower Mainland,” he said. “We do this because we like to thank all the seniors for helping us, so this is like a big thank you.”

Seniors gathered at the Senior’s Centre in City Park for a delicious meal, great company and entertainment from Buck Naked and the Saddletramps.

Singing classic songs, band members included lead guitar and vocals, Gord Taylor, rhythm guitar and vocals Brian Taylor and lead vocals and percussion Lorraine Langis.

As well as celebrating age and experience, Chiu invited two youngsters to this year’s lunch.

“This year we also have two young people, one hairdresser and one 14-year-old who opened up a cake shop,” said Chiu. “I also like to promote them because they are our future and it’s also about their success.”

Fourteen-year-old Maxwell Nicholson, also known as the Cupcake Kid, baked and decorated a spiced carrot cake for desert. Nicholson recently opened his own shop, called Alaythia Cakes and accepts orders for parties and celebrations.

Hairdresser Angelina McIver has returned from studying in Penticton and started her own business with a friend in her parent’s basement. She had several gift certificates added to the raffle draw, and there will be a discount of half-off next week for haircuts.

Food catered by Twisted Forks included delicious cut turkey and gravy dripped ham, mashed potatoes and coloured vegetables.

Lively and full of laughter, Lynne Hansen and Mel Carroll exclaimed it was delicious from their table.

All the seniors enjoyed the meal and Chiu is looking forward to next year.

“We had over 80 guests for today’s lunch,” he said. “It was a success.”