ARA serves up yuletide fare

Christmas came early for Rose students attending Aramark’s Christmas Dinner this past Tuesday during regular dinner hours. Students enjoyed a meal of ham or turkey, mashed potatoes, carrots in orange glaze, corn, rolls, and stuffing. “Everything is done exactly the same,” said Linda Dougherty, a cook. The only exceptions were the orange glaze on the carrots and the deserts.

“I think they’re good myself. You can get pretty much anything you’d like,” said Mike Byers, also a cook, about the special meals put on by Aramark, the others being Thanksgiving and Customer Appreciation night.

Photo: Fred Webber ARA staff prepare for students and visitors for the annual Christmas Dinner.

Though the meal is standard in many respects, the food is set up differently, explained Mark Farner, Director of Dining Services. Changes include the location and structure of the main serving line, which was two rows of tables hold serving platters by the scullery (or washroom). Desserts are located on a table near the fire exit by the triplets and close to the dining room. The food takes additional prep time, so some Aramark staff members come in early and the catering staff helps with the set up and preparation. The dining room is decorated with garlands and a tall Christmas tree. Christmas music is played in the background.

Aramark staffers were very upbeat about the meal. “It’s good for the students, a little better that what they get during the school year,” said Keith Wodicka, who is supervisor of the Worx.

Linda Dougherty, a cook, enjoys the atmosphere of the event. “The Christmas dinner is more warm,” she explained.

Janice Raines-Head, a supervisor, agreed, “This puts everybody in the holiday spirit, puts you in the Christmas spirit. Everyone’s singing Christmas songs and carols.”

Pete Gustafson, Vice President for Student Affairs, attended the dinner before a SGA meeting. “It’s great!” he exclaimed.

Some faculty, such as Mark Yoder, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, brought their families. “mmph mmph (mouth full noise) because the food is so good,” joked Yoder.

“We’re glad they do it,” Sarah Yoder agreed. Some students from Deming Attic, who wish to be identified only as ‘Us,’ wanted to say “We wish you a merry Christmas!” to the Rose community.

Members of the local community, who occasionally stop by Rose, were pleasantly surprised by the dinner. “We didn’t know it was going to be a Christmas dinner,” said Robert Carter.

“We didn’t know … we just like your food service,” confirmed Tom Anderson. The two attend meals about once a month.

“Last night we had 887 students, 44 faculty and staff and 6 local community people come in for dinner,” noted Farner, who added that “For the Thanksgiving Dinner we had last month with pretty much the same menu we had about 120 more people total than this.”