Gardendale Seniors By Mack McConell

The North Jefferson News



Sunday was Veterans’ Day and was celebrated all across the land.

Here locally, our veterans were honored in most places of worship. I am proud of each and every individual who has served our country, especially those who paid the ultimate price.

I wouldn’t take a million dollars for having been able to serve during WWII and the Korean Conflict, although I wouldn’t give a “plug nickel” to go back through it again. It’s great to live in a free country, isn’t it?

If you didn’t make the Seasoned Performers’ “Balancing Act” last Wednesday, you missed a good one-act comedy performance. They were well prepared and gave all of us a good laugh.

Yesterday our own Skip Drake brought his group to entertain and we all appreciated it so much.

We remind you that Harold Freeman brings the Brookridge Drifters back this coming Tuesday. We are looking for a large crowd for these events as all of the bands really do put forth a lot of effort to get prepared to come here.

I know you have forgotten to write “Turkey Trot” on your calendar for Nov. 27. Go do it now so you will be at the center at 9:30 a.m. and not miss out on any of the fun.

You’ll also want to make a note to remind yourself that the bus will be leaving for the Boutwell Auditorium on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 8:30 a.m.

With all the Christmas spirit taking place, you will feel like the season has come and gone by the time you get home from this one.

Please bring a $5 to $7.50 gift to our Christmas party at the center which will be on Dec. 21.

I know that some of our readers think I repeat a lot of the dates over and over. While in the Army and instructing troops, I was told you have to tell them seven times before it really sinks in.

I think our readers are smarter than those guys, but I do want everyone informed so they won’t miss out on the good things that are happening.

Remember, if you are arguing with a stupid person, make sure he isn’t doing the same thing.



Featured senior

Our featured senior this week is Joan Sides Frey. She currently resides on Sierra Lane here in Gardendale. Joan was born in Ensley and has lived in East Lake, Powderly, West End, Trussville and Center Point.

Joan attended the Birmingham School of Nursing and spent the last 22 of her 33 years of nursing working at UAB. She deserves a medal for devoting her life’s work to helping others.

She is now married to Carl Frey. Joan has five children and Carl has three. They also have dogs that she loves. Since moving to Gardendale, she has become active not only at the center, but at Gardendale’s First Baptist Church, joining the senior choir among other activities.

She has traveled in a number of the states with Hawaii being her favorite place to visit.

Joan says she likes coming to the center where she can meet new people and can get involved with playing games.

We are glad you and Carl have become a part of our group and hope that you continue to take an active part in all of our activities.

With the holiday season upon us, we hope you will reach out to find someone who may be sick or just lonely to whom you can be a blessing. I assure you that whatever you do and say will come back two fold or better. As we need workers who will help in the center, the good Lord needs you to be His hands and feet to reach His people. You may be just the one He is looking for, so don’t let Him down.

Wouldn’t you love to be the one that changes an otherwise sad holiday time into something joyful for someone else?

A joint checking account is never overdrawn by the wife. It is simply under deposited by the husband, or so they say.

Get ready, stay alert and be active, or the season will come and go and it will be 2008. You’ll hardly realize it.

Until next week. God Bless.