Third-graders light up senior center with holiday classics

While wet, fat snowflakes whitened the landscape outside the Douglas County Senior Center on Friday, more than 60 seniors inside the building found themselves in the warm embrace of holiday cheer thanks to the concerted efforts of three third-grade classes from Minden Elementary School.

"We know some of them don't have places to go or people to see," said MES teacher Robyn Mattinson. "We just thought we should make their Christmas a little merrier."

Seated at long, narrow tables for lunch, seniors were first treated to the students' festive outfits and then to the sonic splendor of their songs and poems, including "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Jingle Bells." During the latter, seniors joined in with the bells that had been placed on the tables.

When students sang "12 Days of Christmas," they raised colorful posters depicting the objects of each day, from "eight maids a-milking" to "five golden rings!"

When they sang "Frosty the Snowman," a great thumping of feet shook the floor.

"Thumpety, thump, thump, look at Frosty go," they stomped. "Thumpety, thump, thump, thumpety, thump, thump, over the hills of snow."

Jocelyn Smith, 8, said it was nice to visit the senior center and perform for her elders.

"They looked really excited, like they were enjoying it," she said.

Her elders agreed.

"Christmas is for the kids, so I'm glad they came," said Shirley Huard, 72, of Gardnerville. "I enjoyed the singing."

"All we got are grandkids, so I was just tickled to death," said 87-year-old Gardnerville resident A.W. Glenn. "This is the only place I got to go, so to come down here and see a few friends and see these children, who are so cute, well, it's really nice."

Students read "The Night Before Christmas" and later gave each senior a candy-cane ornament. They finished their performance with a classic carol:

"Good tidings we bring to you and your kin, good tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year!"