Center can help keep seniors active, alert

Published 12:02 am Saturday, September 22, 2007

Gardendale Seniors By Mack McConnell

The North Jefferson News



When you become a senior, hopefully most days are good ones and then you have a few that are really great.

We had one of those special days here at the center this past Friday as we paid tribute to a very special lady, Bertha Howse, to recognize her 98th birthday.

Miss Bertha, as I call her, is an inspiration to all of us at the center. In spite of the fact that she has had a stroke that left her somewhat paralyzed, she has never let it get her down. As you greet her, she has that sweet smile on her face that makes you feel good. She has a keen mind that is demonstrated when she plays dominoes, card games or participates in other center activities. I submit to you that she is the perfect example that being around other people keeps one active and alert.

That is exactly what the center is designed for. She is also an active member of Gardendale First Baptist Church.

Miss Bertha reminds me of the adage: You should not stop laughing as you grow old, but you’ll grow old if you stop laughing.

In a couple of years, Miss Bertha, some people may say you are getting old. We say, you will always be young at heart. May the good Lord bless and keep you always.

We had another great band day yesterday with the Brookwood Drifters performing at their best. Next Tuesday Four Picks and a Bow come to town. All of our bands make you proud to be a member at the senior center. We love you guys and gals.

Time goes by so fast and I need to remind you all again that at 10 a.m. on Sept. 26, Collette Travel will be making a presentation on the big screen regarding Travelogue. We invite the public to come in so that you might get ideas and thoughts about some future adventures.

On Sept. 28, the Low Vision Support Group will be making a presentation about a subject that affects many in their lifetimes. We invite the public to attend this presentation if you or a loved one have a vision problem that might lead to blindness. There is no reason to face this alone when help may be close at hand.

It is hard to believe that a fellow is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place.



Featured senior

Our featured senior for this week is Betty Jo Gray. She resides here in Gardendale on Magnolia Street.

After leaving her birth place of Brilliant, she lived in Detroit, Mich., and Lipscomb, Hueytown and Mobile. After finishing school in Lipscomb and Jones Valley, she spent most of her career working at JC Penney. She and Donald Watts were married in 1951 and were blessed with three children, Donnie Joe, Michael David and Mitie Dardena.

Later on in life she married J.W. Snow with whom she had one daughter, Beverly.

Her hobbies have consisted of crafts, dancing and traveling. We at the center can attest to her dancing abilities as she sets the pace for others to get out on the floor and get their exercise.

She enjoys going to the mountains — Pigeon Forge is her favorite spot — and to the beach. One of her favorite trips was to Cancun.

When asked about her reason for coming to the center she replied that it is a lot of fun where you meet a lot of new people.

It is an honor and a pleasure to grow old. You may be turning gray and you may have some grooves on your face, but that’s okay.

They come because we have smiled. So many have never laughed and died before their hair could turn gray. We are really blessed to be senior citizens. Thank Him today for allowing this to happen.

Until next week, God bless.