Once a month, Boothbay Region Elementary School holds a “Take Your Parents to Lunch Day” in the school cafeteria. Parents can go through the lunch line with their children, and get a chance to sample what the BRES cafeteria serves for only $5.

“It's been quite a success,” said Darlene French, Food Services Director at BRES. “We enjoy having the parents here and so do the kids, and parents enjoy knowing what the kids are eating. We have lots of fun with events like these.”

Every member of the cafeteria staff was decked out in a holiday-themed hat for the most recent Parents Day on December 19, when the lunch was a roast pork dinner with egg salad, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, salad bar, and lots of fresh fruit options. Approximately 25 parents showed up for the event, and a few grandparents and out-of-town relatives got in on the fun.

“Today is my birthday, so my granddaughter Magen thought it would be nice to have lunch with me today,” said Susan Burge of Boothbay Harbor. “Plus two of our adopted relatives came up from Massachusetts to join us.”

Also participating was French's husband, Ronald French, who had his own custom-designed holiday hat he wore while handing out free ice cream to every kid, whether they brought their own lunch or bought hot lunch.

The hat was wrapped in garland and a tree with a lighted star on top, adorned with lights and cute holiday decorations such as stockings hung in a row on the back.

“It was originally a plain cowboy hat and he did all the decorating himself,” French said. “He used a glue gun and it took quite a long time too. He's worn it a couple times at the Montsweag Roadhouse and people often asked if they can buy it or if he makes them to sell.”

At the end of lunch when the kids had to return to classes, the room was a sea of kids hugging their parents goodbye. There will be another Parent's Day next month, so keep your eyes on the school cafeteria menu for the date.