Senior Center Hosts Senior Citizens Day Celebration
Photo by Lydia Berglar – About 100 people celebrated National Senior Citizens Day at the Dade County Senior Center on August 21. Here, the audience listens to anecdotes from David Carroll.
By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August 21 to be National Senior Citizens Day, and this August, the Dade County Board of Commissioners added the day to the county’s annual proclamations.
Paula Stallings at the Dade County Senior Center organized a celebration last Wednesday morning to mark the day. Some highlights from the event were songs from the Dade County Chorus, the touching story of two quilting sisters, and guest speaker David Carroll’s humorous stories.
Photo by Lydia Berglar – Members of the Dade County Chorus performed for the delighted audience of seniors.
Over 100 people gathered at the senior center for the well-attended event. Stallings noted the value that the center (and the transportation program) brings to the community by meeting practical needs and offering fun activities for seniors. She noted that in July alone, 1,506 meals were given to seniors for free (including meals at the center and delivered meals).
Gabrielle Haston led some Dade County Chorus students in singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and four other songs. There couldn’t have been a more appreciative crowd than the seniors gathered there. Haston then thanked the seniors, saying, “We know that we’re the beneficiaries of all that you have given to us.”
Ted Rumley (county executive) noted Stallings’ excellent work at the senior center, saying, “Paula, she’s a blessing.” He read the county proclamation, portions of which are:
“Throughout our history, senior citizens have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country. This remains true today as senior citizens actively serve as volunteers in various programs and projects that benefit every sector of society…Senior citizens are reinforcing their historical roles as leaders, acting as links to our heritage and sense of purpose as individuals and as a Nation. Many older people are embarking on second careers, giving younger Americans a fine example of responsibility, resourcefulness, competence, and determination.”
A handmade quilt by sisters Della Sneed and Rhonda Young was raffled off, with donations from the tickets going toward senior center activities and field trips. Stallings reported that the raffle raised around $800.
This quilt is especially meaningful because Sneed and Young are both legally blind, but they poured their hearts, time, and skilled hands into the quilt. Filled with emotion, they told the crowd that they know every stitch isn’t perfect, but the quilt was made with love. All agreed that it’s a beautiful piece, and Fatima Hanna won the quilt.
Evan Stone then introduced Carroll, remembering how in his childhood, Carroll was his radio hero. The two have now had a 50-year friendship. Stone also told the seniors how much he appreciated those in this community who have set examples for him throughout his lifetime in Dade County.
Photo by Lydia Berglar – David Carroll and Paula Stallings announce the winner of the quilt that Della Sneed and Rhonda Young made to raise donations for the senior center.
Carroll reminisced on years gone by in Flat Rock, Bryant, Trenton, and Dade. He said, “When I grew up in Bryant, coming to Trenton was a big deal. Y’all had a red light!” He listed well-loved local restaurants and businesses that are no longer around but that senior citizens remember fondly.
Carroll recalled his first media job as a sports writer for the Jackson County newspaper. His first assignment was North Sand Mountain vs. Dade County football, played at Dade. The home team came out victorious, with a 44-0 final score, but when Carroll’s boss read the article, he asked why no North Sand Mountain players were mentioned.
“I said, ‘Mr. Green, it was 44-0, Dade County. We didn’t tackle anyone. We didn’t score.’ He said, ‘Did anybody get hurt?’ I said, ‘Oh, yeah!’ He said, ‘Write about that.’”
Carroll then remembered Elbert Forester who was the Dade County Sentinel editor in Carroll’s childhood. Forester wrote a weekly column. “As a kid, I would read that column and say, ‘Man, look at that old guy in the newspaper. He’s so smart.’ Now, I’m the old guy in the newspaper!” Carroll laughed, “But I’m not as smart as he was.”
Carroll shared several other anecdotes and one of his humorous columns, about why women are better than men. (While the column can be found online at henryharold.com under the title “Men vs. Women: Who Wins?”, it was particularly enjoyable to hear it from Carroll himself as he shared it with an eager live audience.)
All in attendance seemed to thoroughly enjoy the day which served as a moving reminder of the wisdom, love, energy and service that seniors bring to our community. These are the people who pass on family stories and regional lore; these are the bearers of a history that would otherwise be forgotten.
