Gardendale Seniors By Mack McConnell

The North Jefferson News



The Mardi Gras festival is going on today at the fairgrounds.

You are probably too late to catch the bus leaving from the center, but you can go over on your own and join in.

Yester-day we had the wonderful enjoyment of listening to Harold Freeman’s Brookridge Drifters. They were outstanding in their performance.

Our morning hoedown, which will be from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 30, will feature Jodi Newman on the keyboard. There will be costume contests, door prizes and much more. A pie or cake to add to the meal will be welcomed.

The fun continues that night in the exhibition hall at the civic center from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The hoedown music will be performed by Four Picks and a Bow. Wear your costumes again as there will be a prize for the best. Bring your favorite fall dish for a pot luck meal.

Does a trip to San Francisco and Lake Tahoe sound inviting? Peggy has got one in the making for next May. Call her at 631-7240 for more details on that and other trips which are on the drawing board. She will also advise you about the Travel Confident Protection Plan, as we never can be sure what might come up between the planning and the trip.

To paraphrase a statement that JFK made about our country back in the 1960s, you are on your way for a successful life if you do more for your community than your community does for you.

I don’t want to jump too far ahead, but I will mention that on Nov. 7, the Seasoned Performers will present a special play for seniors. It will be free to the public and will be held in the Gardendale Civic Center Exhibition Hall.

Anyone who stops learning is old whether he is 20 or 90.

Following our pancake breakfast on Oct. 19, we will be playing Bingo with Belinda.

We send our condolences to Bob Townes in the passing of his wife after a lengthy illness. To all of the other members who are home with various illnesses, know that we are keeping you in our prayers.



Featured senior

Our featured senior is a relatively newcomer to the center. His name is Arthur Ray Long. He has had the nickname of “Shorty,” but most of us just call him Ray.

He was born in Stonewall, Miss., where he finished most of his schooling. He later moved to Birmingham, Bessemer and Morris before landing on Rebecca Drive in Gardendale, where he currently resides.

Ray spent most of his working years with Ingalls Iron Works and Daniel Industrial Metals.

He was first married to Betty Moreland. Later on, he married Linda Lynch.

Ray likes to collect coins and has an interesting collection. He is also something of a history buff and enjoys visiting historical places when he travels. He has been to most of the states and found Washington, D.C. to be one of the most interesting places to visit.

He enjoys coming to the center to have fellowship with other people. Ray has joined in with many others by volunteering to help out any way he can. We appreciate you, Ray, for becoming a part of our group and hope you will continue to enjoy it as so many others do.

If you are at least 60 years old, don’t hesitate to come on in and join us. That and following the established rules are the only criteria.

Whether you have many assets or nothing at all, it is all the same to us. If you need transportation to and from the center, it’s possible that could be arranged if you’ll call Peggy at the number given above.

An automatic door has even been installed recently to make it easier to get in and out of the building. If the good Lord lets you live you are going to grow old. Come and grow old with us. We’d love to have you.

There is no failure worse than giving up.

Until next week, God bless.