Red Hook schools mark Thanksgiving, by Nathan Weiser and George Fiala

Red Hook’s PS 676 kicked off Thanksgiving week with a community potluck that was enjoyed by students and parents after school on Tuesday, November 22.

Celebrants met in the cafeteria and got to choose from turkey,  chicken, rice, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, Mac and cheese, rolls, fruit, packaged cookies from an Italian bakery, cake with vanilla icing, donuts, cupcakes and banana bread with chocolate.

Each table went up one by one to get their food with music playing in the background. Pastor Pacheco from Redemption Church announced when each table could get on line and was the DJ for the event.

Parents and staff provided most of the food. In the beginning of the event, the students socialized with a Thanksgiving word search game.

At the entrance to the cafeteria, there were a few long pieces of paper where students and adults could write what they were thankful for.

After eating, six turkeys and Italian cookie tray packages for the kids were raffled. The turkeys were provided by the school and the winners were announced by Pastor Pacheco.

There were a few neighborhood organizations at the event to give out information or provide an activity for the kids.

Pioneer Works had materials on a table where kids could design their own birdseed ornaments.

The Red Hook Library branch had information about their building with Legos activity from 4:00-4:45 on Wednesdays and their in-person crafting for ages 4-10 in the children’s room on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 4:45.

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield had information on healthy living. They had tips for eating healthy meals, being active, diabetes prevention and what to do if you are struggling with anxiety.

Good Shepherd at PS 15
On Thursday, November 14, Good Shepherd Services, who operates the afterschool Beacon program in the PS 15 auditorium, invited students and aprents to their 31st Annual Red Hook Thanksgiving Dinner at the Red Hook Beacon Community Center.

The event provided Red Hook families with a warm meal, live performances, and entertainment ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hometown BBQ was hired by Good Shepherd to cater the event.  Live performance by MNFST (Manifest), a New York street drummer, and Jabowen Dixon, a tap dancer. Good Shepherd has been hosting Thanksgiving dinners for Red Hook families at the at the Red Hook Beacon Community Center for over 30 years.

The Red Hook Beacon Community Center provides year-round, day, evening, and weekend activities engaging thousands of young people and their families to promote individual, family, and community development and help participants realize their fullest potential at home, at school, and in their community.