LEWISTON — Joan Macri will present “Behind the Scenes at a White House Christmas” at the next Food for Thought luncheon on Friday, Oct. 14, at the University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn Senior College.

She will share a slideshow presentation of her experience decorating the White House for Christmas 2015. She was one of 89 volunteers from around the country. She prepared decorations for the private residence and then installed decorations in the East Room, Green Room, Blue Room, the entry way used by the first family, and the president’s private elevator.

Macri is a retired secondary social studies educator who taught for 37 years, beginning in Philadelphia. She then moved to Maine and taught at Bonny Eagle High School before teaching at Lewiston High School for 24 years. She taught American history, economics, and debate. She coached various teams while at Lewiston, including debate, mock trial, Federal Reserve challenge, Chicago Board of Trade Commodity challenge, and stock market.

Macri created the Aspirations Program for Lewiston, which arranged college visitation trips for all sophomores, including an Aspirations Lab for students. She then collaborated with College for ME Androscoggin to expand the Aspirations Program countywide to seven other area high schools. In addition, she also advised the National Honor Society, Student Senate and Civil Rights Team.

She lives in the Lewiston-Auburn area and enjoys reading and gardening, as well as spending more time with family and friends in her retirement.

The event is in Function Room 170. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the program begins at noon. Cost is $7 in advance or $8 at the door. Lunch is included. Reservations must be made by noon on Wednesday, Oct. 12, by calling 207-753-6510. Reservations after this will be considered at the door.