Gardendale Seniors By Mack McConnell

The North Jefferson News



We appreciate Linda coming over from the civic center to fill in while our director, Peggy, was out of town this past week.

We have a great group of people that attend our center and everyone just seems to want to help out or keep things in order no matter what.

You had to be here yesterday to hear the great sounds of the Brookridge Drifters headed up by Harold Freeman. Jerry Bradley can sing the late Jim Reeves’ songs so well you’d think that Jim had come back to life.

The center will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday Thursday and Friday. We’ll start up again on Monday. You’ll want to make sure you plan to be here on Tuesday for our annual “turkey trot.” The Four Picks and a Bow will be providing the music for this fun gathering. Don’t be a “turkey” and come on in and join the fun as I know you will really enjoy every minute of it.

The new mayor of Birmingham has announced that he wants to tear down the Boutwell Auditorium, so don’t miss the “Holiday Cheer” program scheduled for Dec. 12 —this may be one of our last chances to party there. Those who have signed up be on time as the bus leaves at 8:30 a.m. sharp. This will be a Christmas program at its very best. Your soul will be filled with the Christmas spirit and you will be blessed.

Our own Christmas program will be on Dec. 21 at 9:30 a.m. We’ll be looking for every member to be here in attendance. We will honor the Lord’s birth while having fun with lots of entertainment and games including dirty Santa. Don’t forget to bring your gift (cost between $5 and $7.50) There will be lots of good food and goodies to snack on.

Time is like a snowflake —it disappears when you are trying to decide what to do with it.

Remember, seniors, the smile on your face is the light in the window that tells people that you are at home. The way to be happy is to make others happy. Helping others is the secret of all success. We do not know how cheap the seeds of happiness are or we would scatter them more often. This is the season to show your love to others.



Featured senior

Our featured senior this week is Billie Sue Rochette. Sue resides here in Gardendale on Springdale Drive. She was born in Brilliant and has lived in Dora, Blosburg, Cardiff and Mt. Olive. She attended school in those places as well as Brookside and Gardendale. She was one of the middle of nine children.

Sue worked for U.S. Steel and for the old Mt. Olive Drug Store. She married Louie Rochette on Dec. 2, 1950. They had two children, Jan Reeves and Julie Cobb, who in turn have given her three grandchildren. Louie passed away just before their 49th anniversary.

Sue and Louie traveled a lot, especially in the western part of our country. She is active in the Church of Christ in Mt. Olive and enjoys having Bible classes in her home.

Sue likes coming to the center as she enjoys being around other people. Her hobbies include playing Bingo, arts and crafts, and last, but not least, Bible study. We thank Sue for being a part of our center.

I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Everyone who lives in the United States has so very much to be thankful for. It would be good to take a few moments of a busy day spent with family and friends and lots of good food to reflect on the many blessings we enjoy and to pray that our country stands strong to protect all of the rights and privileges we enjoy.

Enjoy the holiday season and remember what it stands for. Bring happiness and joy to others.

Until next week, God bless.