Letter to the Editor: Jones and Tarr Express Gratitude for Thanksgiving Dinner at Hillview

Dear Editor:

We are writing to express our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s North Reading Senior Thanksgiving Dinner one of the biggest and best ever.

More than 300 people joined us at the Hillview Country Club on Sunday, November 18 to enjoy a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings while being entertained by Sergeant Daniel Clark and his wife Mary, who provided a variety of inspirational patriotic renditions along with a set of holiday offerings.  The melodic voices of the North Reading’s own Senior Echoes provided even more musical entertainment.

It is a true honor for us to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with those who have contributed so much to our community over the years.  We are so pleased to be able to carry on this very special annual tradition, which was started by former Director of Elder Services Edith O’Leary over thirty years ago.

Many people contributed their time and effort to help us organize this year’s event.  The generous financial support of The Savings Bank, The Reading Cooperative Bank, Comcast, AT&T, Wal-Mart, North Reading Selectman Bob Mauceri and his wife Angela, Northern Bank & Trust and Re/Max Heritage, allowed us to make the dinner an event to remember.

The annual solicitation of donations for the North Reading food pantry was a terrific success.  The beginning of the season of giving saw a tremendous outpouring of generosity which allowed essential supplies to be delivered to the pantry to benefit North Reading’s own.

We would also like to thank the North Reading Fire Department for volunteering their time to assist many seniors to and from the event, the North Reading Police Department for directing traffic and Armstrong Ambulance for providing the fire department with the means to transport disabled seniors.  Without their help, many people would have been unable to take part in the celebration.  We truly appreciate their efforts.

We were also honored to be joined by MVES Executive Director Dan O’Leary, members of the Council on Aging, Town Administrator Greg Balukonis, Town Moderator John Murphy, Fire Chief Bill Warnock, Police Chief Michael Murphy along with Edie O’Leary, who all made time to join the annual feast.  The entire Board of Selectmen also attended the afternoon gathering.

Special thanks to North Reading Director of Elder Affairs Mary Prenney and her staff of dedicated workers. Thank you to Burt Page, Lisa Green and the staff of the Hillview Country Club for the continued support, exceptional food and service as well as their top notch hospitality. 

Thank you again to everyone who contributed to making the day a success.  We look forward to next year and extend our best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.

Sincerely, 

Representative Brad Jones and Linda Jones

Senator Bruce Tarr