When Wadena-Deer Creek elementary students arrive for breakfast on Tuesday mornings, it's a race to see who can sit next to Melvin Smith. In fact, one little girl was in tears because the same little boy sat next to Smith the week before.
"We have to share 'Grandpa'," she said, while wiping away her tears.
Just then, the little boy scooted over to make room for the little girl, who immediately beamed as she sat next to Smith.
For nearly 18 years, Smith has volunteered to spend Tuesday mornings with Wadena-Deer Creek Elementary students as part of a program called "Table Talk."
"I come at 7:45 every Tuesday morning. I sit down and join them while they eat breakfast. We talk about all sorts of things. They call me 'Grandpa', " said Smith with a big, gentle smile.
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WDC Elementary staff and students treated "Grandpa Melvin" to a birthday party on Jan. 6 during an open house at the school. Smith's actual birthday is Jan. 8 when he turns 90 years young. The open house was also an opportunity to thank Smith for 17 years of volunteering at the school.
"He loves being around kids and the kids love seeing him. He's like a kid magnet," said Louis Rutten, WDC Elementary principal. "He lends a kind and helpful heart each day he comes for breakfast with the kids. In the five and half years I have known Melvin, he's always had plenty of smiles and kind words for all."
Before Smith was a volunteer, he drove school bus for 23 years.
"I really enjoyed it," said Smith.
His daughter, Linda Macklanburg, a second-grade teacher at WDC Elementary, said her father loves being connected to the school district. He's also an advocate for education.
"Even though he only went to school through the eighth grade, he's always encouraged us kids to pursue an education," Macklanburg said. "He encouraged us to go as far as we can. I got my master's degree because of Dad."
Smith grew up south of Verndale, the oldest of 10 children. He said when Dr. Will from Bertha delivered him, it cost Smith's father $5. Luckily, Smith's father had sold cream and butter the day before, so he could cover the doctor's bill.
"Otherwise, we'd had to give him two (live) chickens," quipped Smith.
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Besides daughter Linda, Smith and his wife, Margaret, have two additional children, daughter Pat Larson, of Wadena; and son Wayne, who is deceased. They have 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, with another great-grandchild on the way.
Once the weather warms up and the grass turns green, you'll find Smith at the golf course four days a week, most often with his golfing partner, Jack Nelson.
But what Smith looks forward to most are those precious minutes he spends with "his kids" on Tuesday mornings and being Grandpa to many students who may not have a grandfather.
"I'm going to keep doing this as long as I can," said Smith.
WDC Elementary will have to build a bigger chair so more kids can sit next to "Grandpa."
