School lunches in Ekalaka

When I read in the Eagle about our Ekalaka school lunch system getting an award from the state it reminded me of my experiences with Ekalaka school lunches. Congratulations to all of the workers and to Eric’s mother who heads it up.

We didn’t always have what we called hot lunches during my time in grade school in Ekalaka. They kind of came and went according to the money available. We never had anything like that during my high school days. I really don’t remember whether we had to pay for them but I suppose that we did.

The lunches were served in the basement of the school. They hired several ladies from the community as cooks and servers. The only one I remember was Mrs. Donald; what an unforgettable lady she was. When the noise got too loud, she would clap her big hands together and tell us to quiet down. This might happen several times during the lunchtime. Other cooks and even teachers helped to keep order also. Our principal at that time was Lillian J. Wheat, a stem teacher and a real disciplinarian. She calmed us down quickly. My sister remembers a cook named Mrs. Senrud but I don’t.

After I spoke to my sister Bertha about this she was going to write about it also and then we were going to send it in together. She wrote it and read it to me but then decided not to send it to the Eagle with me. It is a shame because she is a lot better writer than I and she writes about the people involved while I just tell the story. It would have been a better story; oh, well.

I don't remember the food involved at all; as a young boy I probably was hungry all the time so it didn’t matter. Bertha said something about it being not very good food but that, of course, is a matter of opinion. We ate it and was glad. My mother always said that she wasn’t a very good cook but I thought different so these school lunches would probably not have measured up to hers.

Well, we filed in and sat down at tables, by classes, I think. Then they served us. They always asked if someone wanted to say grace. Usually one of the girls would give a simple innocuous prayer like, God is great, God is good, Let us thank Him for our food. Occasionally one of the boys would say a more irreverent prayer. Usually Mrs. Wheat or one of the cooks would just ask somebody else to say a proper prayer. I know it was amazing that this was even done but times are different now.

I don’t remember but I suppose that we had to take our plates and silverware some where after we got done eating.

Of course, back then we didn't call it lunch. We called it breakfast, dinner, and supper. I had a real hard time getting used to calling it breakfast, lunch and dinner. I still have trouble with it.

I am sorry that my sister and I didn’t send in this story together. It would have been better and would have talked more about the people involved. I can only tell what I remember. I am also glad that apparently they have got it together and that this school lunch program is a regular feature.