Johnsburg School Celebrates Thanksgiving Tradition for 42nd Time in Parish’s 175th Year
December 13, 2018
JOHNSBURG—More than 40 years of tradition was passed down to current students during the St. John the Baptist School annual Thanksgiving luncheon on Nov. 20.
“We have so much to be thankful for this year at St. John’s School,” said Father Jacek Junak, pastor. He continued with a prayer of thankfulness and the 42 guests, one for the years of support received from community and parish members.
This event has evolved over the years.”I remember it being in the school hallways,” said Bill Comstock,
graduate of the class of 1982. “The table would run the length of the school building and the students were served family style.”
Learn more
St. John the Baptist School is accepting registrations for the 2018-19 school year. The school also offers preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds two to five days a week, and full day kindergarten. It also offers before- and after-school care.
To find out more about the family-centered, faith-based education, or to schedule a tour of the school, visit stjohnschool.com or call 815/385-3959.
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In the early years, parents and students made the food that was served. Many alumni reminisced about pressing apples to make apple sauce and cider, making placements, centerpieces and napkin rings. Every grade had a part in creating the celebration.
The celebration moved to the Johnsburg Community Club, until 1994 when the school built a gym addition. The event has been held in the gym since.
In the same tradition as previous years, the students brought back making part of the meal with the help of Kathy Heumann and Lisa Cote, mothers of St. John graduates and grandmothers of current students, and Darlene Huemann, mother of grads and great-grandmother to current students.
They helped the students make individual apple pies for the luncheon.
The students, also, returned to the tradition of making the placemats for the guests.
“This is such a wonderful school event, one of my favorites. The kids look forward to it every year,” said Stefanie
Roedel, Home and School board president. “It is a great tradition.”
In recent years, the Home and School board serves a catered traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings: turkey, mashed potatoes and pies. Parents and family members of students come to serve the meal.
St. John the Baptist School maintained the tradition of supporting the local food pantry by collecting non-perishable food items during the event.
In addition, the school invited Corporal Marty Lenzen, member of the Marine Corps League of McHenry, Detachment 1009, to come speak and kick off the school’s Toys For Tots drive.
Over the past few weeks, the students have been donating toys to the Marines in time for Christmas distribution.