“Are WE Ready …YET?” | Grandma’s Stories

Nov 16th “Are WE Ready …YET?”

Getting ready for THANKSGIVING…starts with having the “DINING ROOM” ready!

The above photo is of the “DINING ROOM” on the “BOY’s” side of the German St. Vincent’s Orphanage…in Normandy, Missouri. The table at the far corner of this room …is the table where my two brothers and I would have our meals. If you were the photographer taking this photo – – you are only getting to see where the children sit…for their meals.

Behind the photographer…is the working part of getting each meal served to the children. On the back wall…are the cabinets – – that hold all the dishes…large plates that are used for the dinner meal at 12 noon each day…the cups and saucers that each child had for the milk that was served at each meal…the bowls were for the hot cereals for breakfast and sometimes the bowls were used for super when we would receive puddings and there was a dessert size plate used for Sunday breakfast when each child received a nice piece of “coffee cake” hand made in the bakery…where Sister Augustella was in charge and several of the older girls would work – – because when I was older- – would make it a regular part of my time to be there and help.

Also…what you are not able to see…and…I do not believe that any photos were ever taken…was a stainless steel sink…a long three compartment work table for the complete clean-up- – for the washing and then the rinsing of the dishes to be done by the children working in the dining room – – they would get each and every dish collected from the tables – – after each meal…washed…dried and then hand dried with towels and each clean dish put in the cabinets.

The tables would be washed by some of the girls…who would have the charge of working in the dining room for a six month period and there were maybe ten to twelve girls assigned to this job – – working before and after each meal…when I was there …Sister M. Emeline had the charge of the dining room on the “BOY’s” side – – and I always thought that she was the best of the NUNS – – to work for.