Kimberly Seniors by Jody Newman

The North Jefferson News



Kimberly seniors, you are wonderful!

God continues to use you as His instruments to make the Kimberly Senior Center a great place for us to be. We all are affected by the economy but, even with high gas prices and the possible loss of retirement and/or investment accounts, we come together Monday through Friday with smiles and affection for each other to have a good time.

A big thanks to our next mayor, Ralph Lindsey, and new council member, Donna Cude, for their inspiring program on Patriot Day. We sang with great gusto the beautiful patriotic songs that we’ve known all of our lives. I believe each of us left the center feeling pride for our country and thankful for all of our men and women who have served us in the Armed Services and preserved our freedom.

We’re just liable to try anything at our center — if it’s not illegal or immoral — to have some fun. Recently we had Carl Statum visit us to lead us in karaoke. Carl did a great job, but our talent must lie in other areas. The few of us who sang ran off the ones who didn’t sing. Practice may make perfect, but I don’t think any of us will live long enough to get this karaoke thing right.

Dr. Karen Heaton and her nurses continue to come every couple of weeks to educate us on a different topic and her nurses interact with us seniors. Early on we had a problem with several of our men seniors “falling out” as if to need mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but we learned very quickly the pretty nurses were the reason for this new syndrome that afflicted our facility. Needless to say, the new rule is “No mouth-to-mouth from pretty nurses at the Kimberly Senior Center.”

Three days this month I was at managers’ meetings through Jefferson County, and I need to especially thank Patsy (the boss) and Carl Graben for carrying on in my absence. They not only assist me in almost every facet of running the center, but help the individual seniors with their needs. If we ever have a “Good Samaritan” award at our center, they deserve it. Thanks, Patsy and Carl; we love you!

On Sept. 25, instead of county meals, we had barbeque by Don Mosley and wow, it was so good. To top it off, all of the great cooks at the center prepared the side items and desserts and not a better meal could have been found anywhere. Too much of that and I’d be two sizes bigger in no time. Most of you know what a disaster that would be.

That night we had our first “Sock Hop.” Nineteen-fifties music was filling the center and a lot of really good sports were on the floor cutting a rug. Age was no barrier — if you had a pulse, you could dance. Besides hot dogs and hamburgers, everyone enjoyed Coke floats and popcorn, just like the old days. The only drawback was that the next day most of us were “stove” up. It may be a while before we get so carried away again thinking we’re still in the ‘50s.

Our ladies were really looking forward to the Southern Women’s Show this week. Sometimes it’s really nice to take a trip together and do something different.

Thanks to Lois Moman, we are in the process of making Christmas trees and other items for our fund-raiser on Nov. 22. Plans are at present for our senior center to have a car show, bake sale and who knows what else by the time the event rolls around. Come help us; our philosophy is “the more, the merrier.”

October is the month for pumpkins and Halloween. Our men are going to get the opportunity to show off their creative abilities by carving faces on pumpkins. On Oct. 28 all of us will dress in costume for Halloween. There will be games, a cake walk, food and lots of good and clean fellowship and fun.

If you are interested in our center, call me at 647-9154 or 746-2292.

May God continue to richly bless you!