Holly and Ivy dinner celebrates holidays

Thursday, McNutt Quad continued a 36-year tradition -- the Holly and Ivy dinner. McNutt students who attended gave up 14 meal points to partake in this annual tradition. \nThe tradition began because the McNutt community wanted a way to celebrate the holidays and incorporate all religions within their festivities. This dinner, called Holly and Ivy to be inclusive of all the season's holidays, was the product of that, said Chuck Lepper, McNutt residence manager.\n"We expect the chancellor, vice chancellor, and deans; as well as many faculty and about 400 McNutt students," Lepper said.\nThis year this event was dedicated to the memory of the late University Chancellor Herman B Wells, who regularly attended the Holly and Ivy dinner. \n"Because he was very sick last year, he wasn't able to attend," said sophomore Dan Sarnowski, director of programming for the McNutt student government. "That was the first time he missed a Holly and Ivy dinner since the tradition began. He really enjoyed these dinners. Sometimes, in years past, he even came dressed as Santa Claus."\nWith finals this week, many students are stressed, Sarnowski said.\n"This is a wonderful way to relieve the stress," Sarnowski said. "Also, many of the students living at McNutt are first-year students. This a terrific way to close out their first semester." \nLooking around at the elegantly decorated tables and the staff rushing to finish up their responsibilities before the 450 expected attendants arrived, Sarnowski opened his arms wide. \n"This is my baby. We've worked all school year for tonight," he said.\nThe Holly and Ivy dinner is and always has been entirely student-run. The director of programming and the vice-governors coordinate and plan the festivities.\n"The Holly and Ivy dinner is one of the jobs of the McNutt vice-governors," said Liz Weikes, a McNutt vice-governor and freshman. "We have been planning and working on this since October."\nThere is a lot of hard work that goes into the dinner, including food preparation and decorating the dining area, on top of the normal work that goes into coordinating any program with such a large number of expected attendants, dinner workers said.\n"A lot of our food had to be special ordered," said Jeff Kutche, McNutt food manager. "We've put in a lot of work, especially over the past three weeks, but we've had a lot of fun."\nHam, chicken and stuffed pasta shells were some of the foods served. The meal was traditional buffet style, and those attending sat at decorated dining tables covered with burgundy tablecloths.\n"I've worked in the IU food services for 16 years and this is my first year here at McNutt," Kutche said. "I'm really excited about this dinner. It's a really big deal in the McNutt community"