Gardendale Seniors By Mack McConnell

The North Jefferson News



Here we are, already at the end of the first month of this new year.

Time flies faster the older you get. All the more reason we need to make the most of each day the Good Lord chooses to give us.

We’ve already had a lot of activities so far this year. The Covenant Place folks were here yesterday to provide us with some entertainment. We appreciate their commitment in coming to the center every month that has a fifth Tuesday in it.

The Camp Meeting Singers with Buddy Camp, Sharon Brown, and Jerry Green was the first group to start us off on what we hope will be many evenings of gospel music. We had a large turnout to enjoy hearing many of our favorite gospel songs performed by a talented group of musicians.

Back on the Jan. 22, Jerry Bosworth and his outstanding band brought one of the finest programs we have heard from them.

Craford Rooks will be bringing his Bluegrass band to play for us on February 5.

We are continuously thankful for all of the musically adept people who are willing to come and share their gifts with us.

If you were not here last Friday for the organizational meeting for low vision and blind persons, you can still get involved by calling Mildred Walt at 631-4715 or Jane Bush at 290-4449.

Valentine season is almost upon us. On Feb. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. we’ll have the Valentine’s Dance at the Civic Center. Ray Newman, the “One-Man Band” will give his version of sweetheart music while seniors dance and listen. You can purchase your tickets in advance for three dollars; they will be four dollars at the door. The dance is open to any seniors in the area.

On Valentine’s Day we will have another party at the center which will be combined somehow with the normal Thursday Bingo. It’ll be fun and we are looking for a large number of people to be in attendance.

I know that there are times when I have legal issues that come to mind, but I hesitate to go to an attorney. If you have any legal questions you would like answered, be here on Feb. 1 at 10:30 a.m. Matt Kinder, who is on the staff of Jefferson County Legal Services, will try to answer them for you. Please prepare written questions ahead of time. This will be a good opportunity for seniors to get your questions answered free of charge.

Don’t forget about the potluck meal tomorrow night at 5 p.m. followed by Bo Chambers and his group.

If you think you might be interested in the trip to Savannah, Jekyll Island and Charleston that I told you about last week, you need to go ahead and get signed up, even though the trip itself is not until May 19-23. Call Peggy at 631-7240 to register or for more info.

When a man gets too old to set a bad example, he starts giving good advice.



Senior of the Week

Our senior for the week is Carl Ray “Poppie” Frey. He and his wife, Joan, reside in Sierra Lane right here in Gardendale. He was born in Missouri and has also lived in Florida.

His work history included some time with Ford while in Kansas City, Mo., 14 years with UAB and a year at Lummis. He took some time out to serve in during the Korean Conflict.

There were three children born during his first marriage. He is currently married to Joan Sides.

Whenever he gets the chance, Carl likes to go fishing and hunting. He also enjoys traveling and has been to many places, with one of his favorites being Hawaii. He likes playing chess and has the trophies to prove he is good at it.

He and Joan are active in Gardendale’s First Baptist Church. He is also actively involved in the Masons and Shriners.

He likes the center, he says, because there are so many interesting people, and because of the programs, games and the food. The fellowship is great, he added.

We are glad that Carl and Joan joined up with us at the center and are being active members.

We pray for our country during these troublesome times. We have to realize that freedom rests, and always will, on individual responsibility, individual integrity, individual effort, individual courage and individual religious faith, with seniors taking a leading roll. We have been there in the past and will be there in the future.

Until next week. God Bless.