Georgetown Senior Center Thanksgiving: ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’

“What would you think, if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me? Lend me your ears, and I’ll sing you a song, and I’ll try not to sing out of key.”

On a dreary afternoon, the parish hall at St. John’s Church on O Street was alight and alive Nov. 27, and nobody walked out. With festive singing — whether Christmas carols or the Beatles — the Georgetown Senior Center celebrated its annual Thanksgiving luncheon, provided by 1789 Restaurant — and a little help from some other friends, of course, like Carlos Winder and his guitar.

The center’s director, Wendy Erlanger, wished the guests and singers a happy Thanksgiving. Jorge Bernardo, driver and advisor for the center, said he was thankful for Virginia Allen, who founded the center in 1982. “We miss her,” he said, adding that the non-profit was doing well and that as it is “centered around love, anything is possible.” There was a moment of silence for Robert Austin, brother of board member Janice Rahimi; he died Monday. And there were candle-lit birthday cupcakes for Connie Arrozabala on her 88th birthday. And, yes, there was still more singing.

The fine turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes, string beans, cranberries and salad, along with apple pie and pecan pie for dessert, was donated by 1789 Restaurant. There was an added sweetness: cupcakes, donated by Sprinkles Cupcakes.

The Georgetown Senior Center is grateful to be the beneficiary of the Georgetowner Holiday Pop Shop to be held, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Tony & Joe’s at Washington Harbour. Other patrons of the pop shop include EagleBank and PamShops4You. For details, visit www.HolidayPopShop.com, or call 202-338-4833.