Gardendale Seniors

By Mack McConnell

The North Jefferson News



We used to say when I was young that the best way to communicate something is by telegraph, telephone and tell a woman.

In this new information age one of the best ways is via e-mail. Have you noticed that you’ll get one, pass it on, and in a matter of weeks it has gone around the world and you get the same one back?

Some of the e-mails are informative and creative. You have the option of passing them on or deleting them on the spot.

It was good to see posted at the center that the senior of the month for July is Robert Townes.

More than a year ago when I started adding a featured senior each week, I chose Bob to be my first interview. I found lots of good things to write about him then and you can still see him helping out in one way or another at the center.

The little things people do is what makes our center the greatest ever. A good leader surrounds himself (or herself) with people who assume responsibilities to make the place more efficient and enjoyable. Congratulations, Bob.

Yesterday was another highlight day at the senior center. We started the day off with music from the great Brookridge Drifters led by Harold Freeman and we closed out the day by having our candlelight supper with the chef cooking up a batch of delicious bratwurst and wieners.

Everyone in attendance added to this feast with all the tasty trimmings. The crowd enjoyed it to their stomach’s delight.

The hearing and vision screening is today, so come on in and get checked out.

Don’t forget that this month’s potluck meal will be on July 26 at 5 p.m.

The health fair date is getting closer and I remind you to contact Peggy at the center to reserve your free booth.

I have just re-read the brochure on what is described as a one-of-a-kind tour which will take place from Oct. 15 through Oct. 19. This may be one of the better tours that has been organized and scheduled from this area. Call Peggy to get all of the details so you can decide whether you want to participate.

Some retirees like to take extended vacations: two weeks stretched our on the couch. Why is it that some will pay to go up on tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

If you feel dog tired at nights, maybe it is because you growled all day.

Have you been to a class reunion lately? I have heard it said that old age is when your former classmates are so gray and wrinkled and bald that they do not recognize you.

We had a good crowd at the center this past Wednesday to hear Terry Wilson from Gardendale Chapel. He brought a long his group and boxes of good fresh donuts.

For entertainment, we had the gifted Tammy Balwin accompanied by the talented piano player Michael Warden blessing us with some deeply touching gospel songs. Terry suggests that it is better to plan ahead.

If you haven’t, you might want to let them talk to you about that day this is coming for all of us.



Featured senior

Our featured senior this week is no stranger to the senior center. Her name is Vivian Eloise Quick. Although she has been called by such names as Granny, Shorty and Viv, we usually call her Vivian.

Vivian lives close by the center on Grubbs Avenue in Gardendale. She came into this world in the big community of Maben here in Jefferson County. She went on to live in Sandusky, Forestdale, Hillview, Tarrant and Hanceville, up in Cullman County. She attended school at Gibson of East Birmingham and Sandusky.

Vivian always liked caring for the ones who were sick and disabled, so she set out as her goal to be a registered nurse. She worked and trained in Carraway Hospital and worked in the Hanceville Nursing Home.

She married Royal Turner and they had two sons who are now grown and have families of their own.

She later married Carl Quick who passed on to the Lord about eight years ago.

Vivian loves music, art and dancing as well as taking care of people who need home care.

She goes to Gardendale’s First Baptist Church. In her younger years, she traveled to many places, but has not had the opportunity in recent years.

“I like coming to the center,” she says, “because of so many friendly people.”

While there, she plays dominoes or does a little line dancing on Tuesdays when we have our bands.

We are always glad to see Vivian come in and we all wish her the very best in the future.

Some food for thought: If you have to have the last word, let it be an apology. Until next week, God bless.