Residents of The Pavilion at BRMC received quite a few special
visitors this week not answering to Dasher, Dancer, Prancer,
Rudolph or Santa.

Four classes of fifth grade students from School Street
Elementary School spent the late morning hours singing, making
crafts and interviewing with folks at The Pavilion.

“In talking with other teachers, we decided that we wanted to do
something that was not the typical Christmas party that the
students have been having every year,” said Ann Fesenmyer, a
teacher for one of the four classes.

“I had talked a lot to my class about giving and doing things
for others, and a trip to The Pavilion seemed to be an activity
that would support that lesson,” she said.

The kids started the morning interviewing the residents about
their Christmas experiences, asking questions such as, “What was
your favorite present you got when you were a child,” and “How
would you compare Christmas today to Christmas when you were
little?”

Shawna Anthony, a student with one of the classes, asked Larry
Peace, a resident, what his favorite present was, to which Peace
responded, “a bicycle.”

When asked if she thought that kids today got more presents than
they did when Peace was young, Anthony said, “I think we get the
same amount, but it doesn’t matter how many presents there are as
long as there’s enough toys.”

“That’s a great answer!” Peace exclaimed with a chuckle.

Zachary Belser got a chance to have a sit down with his
great-grandmother, Berta Belser, who is a resident of The Pavilion.
While Berta spoke of handmade presents carved from wood from her
father, Zachary said that he was more interested in receiving video
games.

The students have been preparing for the trip since after
Thanksgiving when they began writing Christmas stories to read to
the residents. They also brought along craft kits to make
decorative mittens for the residents.

The students also sang a song, “December In Our Town,” for the
residents. They have been hearing a lot of tunes lately as these
fifth graders were not their first visitors.

“We had some kids come in yesterday and sing for us which is
nice,” said Connie Peckham. “It’s nice for me because I don’t get
to see my family in this year. My sister lives in Texas and I can’t
make it this year.”

The Pavilion residents surely are not the only ones who will
gain something from the experience. The students got to hear some
interesting stories and experience the true meaning of giving to
others.

“One of the kids was really impressed because the man that he
was talking to was missing his foot,” said Fesenmyer. “I’m sure
that the stories that they will have to tell their parents when
they get home will be great.”

The youngsters who participated were thanked for their
kindliness with punch, cookies and a stuffed animal for each as
they walked out the door.

“Overall it was an excellent experience and the kids really want
to go back. We are hoping to do a trip around Valentine’s Day and
then a couple more before school lets out. One of the kids was
asking if it would be okay if he wrote the man he was interviewing
letters,” said Fesenmyer. “This is probably going to be an ongoing
experience.”

That possibility sounds okay with Amelia Fowler, one of the
students interviewing Peace. “It’s kind of fun so far,” she
started, then smiled and said, “actually, it’s a lot of fun!”