The Annette Batson Memorial Thanksgiving Luncheon will not be served this year.
“It is with great regret we are unable to celebrate and continue the tradition this year, but health and safety concerns are a priority,” said Paul Anderson, principal of Ware Shoals High School. “We look forward to continuing our tradition next year.”
Dawn Amerson, Executive Director of Five Star Senior Living, began overseeing the preparation of the Thanksgiving luncheon the year after Mrs. Batson’s death. Amerson, along with Chefs throughout the Five Star organization, cook and serve a traditional meal to members of the Ware Shoals community.
“Out of an extreme abundance of caution during this pandemic, we will not host the community Thanksgiving luncheon this year. A majority of citizens who normally attend the Thanksgiving luncheon have major underlying medical issues and putting one life at risk is not something we are willing to do,” said Amerson. “We look forward to continuing the tradition next year.”
Since 2011, Mrs. Batson, former Family and Consumer Science instructor at WSHS, along with her students prepared a Thanksgiving luncheon for the greatest generation. She taught her students to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal, all the while teaching them how to give back to the community.