What's Cookin'? Dancin' George Giffin

What was cookin' at in today? Turkey and George Giffin!

When making the rounds for our new weekly What's Cookin'? column, Patch found out a couple of things: Turkey was the most popular menu choice for lunch today; and, Mr. Giffin, legendary retired R-FH teacher, is still cooking with his dance moves and anectdotes.

There they were — turkey and Mr. Giffin. The turkey, as sandwich-maker Tom told us, was and is a best-seller, because it's roasted and mighty good. And, Mr. Giffin (as all call him), is still about town, at "83 or so" now, and still cooking up some great dance moves.

You really don't even have to ask him about anything. Just say, "Hi, Mr. Giffin." That's enough for him to launch into a few moves and tell you, sporting an ear-to-ear grin, "When you get that beat, you gotta move your feet!"

Five, six, seven, eight ... One, two, cha, cha, cha ... Any old (somewhat old) R-FH grad could tell you that the Ballroom Dance class with Mr. Giffin was a required class back in the day. And the man is still dancing George. Kids today just don't know what they're missing. Yet, no one's missing Mr. Giffin's absence quite yet.

Right at the register at Fairwinds, there he was ... telling tales about how he's "had to teach at least 40 or so R-FH grads how to dance at their own weddings. I go out there and show them the moves. You have people trying to dance — bridesmaids, grooms, family. The bride is crying 'Oh, they're going to ruin it.' I teach them how it goes ... Hey, when you get that beat, you gotta move your feet!"

Well, we got the beat from you, Mr. Giffin! Sort of. At least one R-FH grad out there (yours truly) is still struggling with those dance moves.

You're still a valued commodity in these parts. Though, Ballroom Dance is no longer a required class, judging from you and all those you taught, it probably should be.

Other than dancing his way around Fair Haven, still his hometown, Giffin said he's "trying relentlessly to teach these kids the English language. It's a daily battle. Sometimes I couldn't wager a guess at what many of them are trying to say."

We know what you're saying, Mr. Giffin. Get that beat. Move your feet and speak ... properly.

Everyone knows Mr. Giffin — everyone who's anyone, anyway. Tell us your favorite story about this iconic teacher of the English language and dance in the comments section below!