By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— Each year, the Pelham Senior Center hosts a Thanksgiving luncheon for its members, featuring several traditional dishes and desserts. Members of the Pelham City Council also give a short presentation.

About 75 people gathered in the new multi-purpose room at the Senior Center Nov. 19 for the luncheon.

“We have two big events every year. We have a Christmas luncheon and we have a Thanksgiving luncheon,” said Barbara Roberts, director of the Pelham Senior Center and the public library. “Some of our people are separated from their families who are in different states or they are alone. We want to have a very nice event, especially for those people.”

Pelham Mayor Gary Waters started the event, sharing kind words and thanking the senior citizens for everything they do for the community. After, City Council President Rick Hayes addressed attendees.

“We appreciate everything that you do for us and everything you do for the city of Pelham,” Hayes said to begin his presentation.

Then he gave the members an update on the proposed Pelham City Center building, the Greenway Trails project and the Pelham Recreation Center. Roberts said the attendees seemed to enjoy hearing from the city leaders.

“Especially what Council President Rick Hayes talked about the plan for the City Center is very exciting, particularly plans for the new library,” Roberts said. “We are interested to see how that progresses. I would say that the plan they have right now should address every age group in the city.”

Hayes explained that the recreation center would provide additional space for the seniors to gather in for activities as well.

After the short presentation, the Thanksgiving lunch, catered by Bellini’s, was served and the attendees filled plates with turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce and more.

“We want to give thanks to all the seniors in our area because they have contributed so much to all of us, but we particularly want to make sure that those people who are alone during the holidays have a very nice event,” Roberts said.