Published: April 30, 2008 12:19 pm         

Month of May to be filled with music

Gardendale Seniors by Mack McConnell

The North Jefferson News



Just a few days ago we were standing around pulling April Fool jokes on one another and now today we are saying goodbye to April.

I hope you were here at the senior center yesterday to hear the Covenant Singers as they put on a heartwarming program for us. We always appreciate having a fifth Tuesday in a month so we can have these folks over.

Craford Rooks and his Bluegrass group will be back on May 6 to start off the month. We can expect some great music and singing. All seniors are welcome to join us.

The Country Pickers continue to be a big hit each Tuesday night from 6 to 9 p.m. Large crowds have been turning out and have really enjoyed the wonderful sounds of these accomplished players and singers. Come out and listen for yourselves. It’ s free although we ask you to bring a little finger food to make the 7:15 break a little more enjoyable.

The center continues to have Bo Chambers leading a group of players and singers on Thursday nights from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. This is free for any senior who wishes to come.

I think we should all extend our congratulations to Jody Newman. After much consideration, the great community of Kimberly has chosen her as the director of the new Kimberly Senior Center. They have not quite completed the facility yet, but it should be opening soon.

Jody is a gifted person who will make a fine leader for the center there. She has performed here at the Gardendale center, singing and playing her double decker keyboard. Everyone wishes you the very best, Jody, and we know that you will make the center a second home for many of the Kimberly citizens.

I want to remind you again that if you are interested in the trip to Savannah, Ga., Jekyll Island, and Charleston, S.C., the deadline for the deposit is May 22, with the final payment due by July 17, 2008. Contact Peggy here at the center for all of the details.

Senior of the Week

Our Senior of the Week is Doris V. Tate. She was born in Calemint and has lived in Sumiton, Jasper, and in Oklahoma. She currently lives on Mill Road in Dora. She attended the Owen School in Sumiton and went to Pocola Bagley in Jasper.

Doris started out working in a small grocery store in Jasper and then went on to work at Warrior Surgical Supply. She also worked for Jefferson County for 25 years as a school bus driver.

Doris was married to Arnold Tate for 55 years. They had a daughter, Virginia Tate Bonham, who gave her two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Their son, Eddy C. Tate, has given her two granddaughters and two great grandchildren.

Doris was a traveler, having been all over the USA, Canada, and Mexico. She also enjoys reading and does quite a bit of sewing.

The things she treasures most are her family, church, friends and the fellowship here at the center. We are glad to have Doris as a part of our group.

Make the most of each day that you have.

Until next week. God bless.