Bikers throw huge party for seniors in a festive mood

Sky Hawks cook holiday spread for elders to enjoy

Friday, Dec. 4, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photos by EMILY BARNES Ronald Briscoe of Fort Washington laughs as he is served dinner by members of the All for One Divas Social Club at the third annual holiday dinner for senior citizens at the American Legion Randolph Furey Post 170 in Indian Head. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by EMILY BARNES All for One Divas Social Club members Kim Gillens, left, of Clinton and Renee Clark of Accokeek serve dinner to Evelyn Swann, right, and Deloris Hart, both of Marbury, at the dinner for seniors. Click here to enlarge this photo Shirley Thomas, left, of La Plata is greeted by Shirley King of Pomonkey at the dinner last Saturday. Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by EMILY BARNES All for One Divas Social Club member Melvina Barton of Cheltenham takes a break from serving to dance to the music at the third annual holiday dinner for senior citizens at the American Legion Randolph Furey Post 170 in Indian Head.

Seniors citizens need to get out just as much as everyone else. Last week, three organizations hosted a dinner for seniors free of charge and full of entertainment, to help them do just that.

"I feel seniors need something to do," said Winnie Milstead, a member of the Sky Hawks Motorcycle Club.

On the menu for the event, which was free for those 62 and older, according to Milstead, was "a little bit of everything."

Barbecued ribs, chicken, pig's feet, sweet potatoes and greens were just a few of the many options available Saturday at American Legion Randolph Furey Post 170 in Indian Head.

Milstead said he began cooking for the Saturday event on Thanksgiving Day.

The Sky Hawks along with the All for One Divas Social Club and the auxiliary at the American Legion all pitched in to ensure seniors did not want for anything.

From preparing and serving food to singing and dancing to songs while seniors ate, no task was left undone and no task was done without a smile.

"Good food, good camaraderie and good people," said Doris Hughes from Capitol Heights.

L. Regina Brown of Lake Harbor received word of the event from her daughter, Melvina Barton, a member of the Divas.

"I like their spirit and their attitude. It's nice to see that in this day and time … that they take time to say thank you to seniors," Brown said of the Divas and other groups hosting the event.

Brown said the food had tantalizing flavors and there was a variety of different foods to choose from.

Along with the music and the friendly service, Brown said, "This is a good throw-down."

"I'm glad I had a chance to participate, and I'm glad it's early," Deloris Hart of Marbury said of the event that began at 1 p.m.

Hart said many seniors do not like to be out late, including herself.

Hart said she liked the idea of the groups giving back to the seniors because it encourages others to give back even if it's not specifically for seniors.

"I may not be able to return it to you, but I can give it to someone else," she said of passing along community service.

The Sky Hawks gave back in a tasty way, according to seniors.

"He can cook some food," said George Edelen of Waldorf about Milstead's cooking.

"The ribs are something else," he said.

Milstead said he would be glad to cook for seniors for many more years as long as seniors will continue to come to the now-annual dinner.

As for Milstead himself, he did not eat his cooking Saturday even though there was plenty to go around

"I'll eat my heart out tomorrow," he said smiling.

But Saturday, he said, was for the seniors.

gphillips@somdnews.com