April 8, 2025

Sometimes, it’s the simplest of reasons people have for visiting their local senior center. Take Dan Champion, 83, for example.

“I’m hungry. It’s the middle of the day and I’m here,” Dan said while sitting with a table of friends who couldn’t agree more including Beecher Griffitts, 86, Bill Self, 82, and Hans Riveros, 86.

“It’s all good, some are better than others, but I don’t complain because I don’t have to cook it and the price is right,” Beecher added.

 Across the room, Faye Sangerman, 73 and Debbie Collins, 64, have their own card game going. They love the socialization the center offers.

“I don’t want to stay at home all the time,” Debbie said. “I was a substitute teacher for a while and for a while I just wanted to stay at home all the time but then I realized how important is to get out and be around other people.”

Faye said she likes that it’s easy to be at the East Limestone Center.

“I don’t feel like it too structured, it’s very comfortable here,” she added.

At another table, Marianne Montgomery, 70, Sylvia Vann, 69, and David Mobley, 86, are playing Rummikub – with their rules. They don’t keep score so whoever runs out of tiles first wins.

“I like to go when we go out to eat together or go to a movie,” Marianne said. “I like the social activities because I live by myself, and I enjoy the company here.”

David was NASA engineer who worked with Wernher Von Braun and had a career that could be stressful and frustrating, but never boring. In retirement, he says he likes playing the games, but he primarily comes to the center to exercise and “get out of the house for a while.”

Sylvia said she enjoys the social aspects of the center, and especially enjoys the games, as she wins another round of Rummikub.

There’s a fierce dominoes competition at another nearby table where Brooks Hickman, 63 but soon to be 64, Irene Butler, 91, Carla Watson, 68, and Hans are playing. 

Brooks said he’s semi-retired and likes to keep himself occupied by visiting the center.

“It keeps you from being depressed,” Carla said.

Irene said she likes having somewhere to go and appreciates the bus because without it, she couldn’t go anywhere since she’s blind and can no longer drive.

And Hans, he’s focused on “winning dominoes,” he says with a laugh.

Laughter can be heard throughout the center as participants enjoy their conversations and competitions.

The quilting room is no exception. The room is a little emptier than normal on Tuesday, April 8, because the team of six quilters just gave 12 of them to Project Linus in Huntsville last week. The Project Linus group provides blankets to mostly kids in need whether it be in the Natal Intensive Care Unit at a hospital, first responders at a disaster, or social workers who know where there’s a need. In return for their donations, the project provides them with materials to make even more quilts.

The quilters say they love their craft and giving them away.

They also made bags to hold school supplies for children in Africa as part of the Malawi Early Literacy Team program.

Today, Elizabeth Tenniswood, 67, and her sister Kay Atwater, 65, and Debi Trumbull, 67, are at work on different projects.

“We could do this at home but there’s something about doing it together and learning from each other,” said Debi said.

“We love the company and the friendship,” Kay added.

Reda Davis has been filling in this month for Center Manager Johnny Smith who is currently on medical leave. The center serves 16 to 19 hot meals each weekday and volunteers deliver another 33 to homebound seniors in the community.

John Lilly and his wife just started volunteering to deliver meals as a way to “give back” to the community following a recent move to the area from Iowa.

Liz Ross also delivers 11 meals each day. She started a year and a half ago with her kids, ages 9 and 6, to teach them the importance of giving back. “And I’ll be old one day and I hope there will be someone who will be there to help me!”

She said they have the same route and have gotten to know the people and “they’re always happy to see us – and us them.”

Sarah Ennis, 79, used to work here part-time assisting with opening up and anything else that needed doing, but retired when she turned 79.

“It’s something to get up and do. I enjoy playing the games and I know everyone here, so I stay until I decide to go home,” Sarah said.

Reda invites anyone interested in learning more about the center to simply stop by and visit at 25820 Nick Davis Road in Athens

Faye Sangerman and Debbie Collins playing cards.

Faye Sangerman

Debbie Collins

Sarah Ennis

Volunteer John Lilly talks with Reda Davis and Sonya Berzett at the East Limestone Senior Center while picking up meals to deliver to homebound seniors. 

Volunteer Liz Ross picks up meals to deliver at the East Limestone Senior Center.

Beecher Griffitts

Friends talking over lunch at the East Limestone Senior Center.

Dan Champion

Hans Riveros

Bill Self

Friends playing Rummikub at the East Limestone Senior Center.

Sewing and quilting at the East Limestone Senior Center.

Good conversations happing in the Quilting Room at the East Limestone Senior Center.

Kay Atwater

Debi Trumbull

Marianne Montgomery

Dominoes at the East Limestone Senior Center.

Reda Davis is helping out at the East Limestone Senior Center.

East Limestone Senior Center

March 24, 2025

Kelley Carpenter is TARCOG’s Hospital to Home Transition Coordinator.

March 24, 2025

Dust off your boots because TARCOG is preparing for its annual Older Americans Month celebration in May. The 38^th Annual Senior Fun Fest will have a western Rodeo Roundup theme.

It’s going to be a fun-filled day for up to 2,000 seniors from DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties, said Sheila Dessau-Ivey, TARCOG’s director of aging programs. Fun Fest is sponsored annually by TARCOG and the Madison County Commission, with ticket sales and other local businesses also providing financial support to offset costs.

Senior Fun Fest tickets are on sale for the event scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Alabama A&M Agribition Center venue at 4921 Moores Mill Road in Huntsville.

Advance tickets are $5 and may be purchased at any senior center in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties, or, at the TARCOG Office at 7037 Old Madison Pike, Suite 450, in Huntsville. For more information call TARCOG at 830-0818. Advance ticket sale prices end Friday, May 2.

After May 2, and on the day of the event, tickets may be purchased at the door on the day of the event for $7.

“We are excited to see residents from the TARCOG region get together in one place for a day of fun, entertainment and food,” Sheila said. “This is an event our entire TARCOG staff works on for several months each year to create a special day to celebrate our aging population”

What happens at Fun Fest?

A pre-event line dancing session will be held between 9 and 10 a.m., in which participants may join to loosen up before the festivities begin.

After a short welcome ceremony at 10 a.m., activities will include BINGO, a photo booth, talent show plus music and live entertainment. Service providers from throughout the region will also be set up in an Exhibition Area to provide information and giveaways. A Masters Games area will be set up allowing attendees to play horseshoes, corn hole, Nerf ball throw, and basket pong.

Those attending will be served lunch. Snacks like popcorn and snow cones will also be available throughout the event. Door prizes will be given out.

“This is always a fun event, and we can’t wait to be at the Agribition Center again this year and celebrate all of our amazing seniors,” Sheila said.

More information is available by calling 256-830-0818.

March 14, 2025

Annette Rowell, manager of the Geraldine Senior Center

Debra Whitten

Punkin Rowell

Larnell Merchant

Carolyn White works on a puzzle at the Geraldine Senior Center

Azalia Grubbs plays BINGO with her service dog Bonnie in her lap

Kimberly Goforth

Ruby Knight

Phyliss Cornelius

Martha Jones

Jerry Wooten

Vara Reaves

Kat Henson

Melba Fincher

Debra Whitten likes to exercise to stay in shape as she ages and serves as a caregiver for her husband. One of the places she depends on is the Geraldine Senior Center.

“I thank God for letting me get up and do what I do every day,” Debra, 67, said. “Sometimes it’s the simple things, like walking in the park and chatting with a friend that makes the day go better.”

It’s a common thread at the Geraldine Senior Center where about 15-18 people gather each weekday morning.

When Annette Rowell retired in 2012 from TS Tech Automotive, she and her husband Punkin were walking the track at the town park just outside the Geraldine Homemakers Building, where the Senior Center is located. He stopped to use the restroom and saw an aunt, a cousin and some friends inside. But that’s not all.

“I was out there walking, and he was in here getting me a part-time job!” Annette explained.

He found out the center needed a manager and thought it would be a perfect job for her and she decided to apply and give it a try.

“I had no idea what I was getting into,” she said. “I got there the first day and the person who was supposed to train me had hurt her leg and couldn’t come in, but she had left me a book to go by and the ladies here helped me.”

“I believe in rules and doing right by people,” Annette said. “It’s a weird story of how I got here but I am here, and I love it.”

Punkin, which is the only name her husband has ever gone by, is there by her side helping out each day too.

Everyone at the center is willing to help out and help each other as they journey through their golden years.

Larnell Merchant, 77, has been going to the center regularly for almost a year.

“This is a good group, and we all get along,” Larnell said. “We all look out for each other. We’re not in each other’s business, but we’re here if needed.”

Carolyn White, 84, thinks the center is a “wonderful place” and she knows it inside and out.

After retiring from the school system, Carolyn became the center manager about 20 years ago, taking over just before the death of her mother, who enjoyed going to the center for many years.

 “This place makes me get up and paint my eyelids, get up and go out every day. It keeps me motivated,” Carolyn said. “I could sit at home in my house coat all day, dry up and blow away or I can get up and come here and laugh and have fun and see friends.”

Azalia Grubbs walks in mid-morning with her service dog, Bonnie, a sweet-natured poodle. Azalia started participating at the Senior Center about a year ago after the “Grace Notes” group in which she played the accordion disbanded. She said the band had played at the senior center and Annette invited her to come join them.

“At first I committed to one day a week … but then I started coming more and more but I’ve met some new friends and get a decent meal,” she said. “I’m not one to just sit and I participate in the Homemakers Club, but I enjoy the senior center too.”

Kimberly Goforth, 50, brought her mother-in-law to the center and she enjoyed the atmosphere so much she began volunteering. It was because of the friends, fun and laughter.

Ruby Knight, 80, said she goes to the center for companionship and the food. She also volunteers to help open the center each morning.

“It gets me out of the house, and I hate it when I have to miss,” she added.

Annette said the center serves 27 meals each weekday. Of those 12 hot meals are served in the center and another 15 meals go out into the community through volunteers.

Phyllis Cornelius, 73, stops by to pick up a meal for her husband, Thomas, 74.

“I enjoy speaking to the ladies that I know here when I stop to pick up the meals,” she said. When she has time, she likes to work on a puzzle or play a game.

Years ago, Martha Jones, 84, brought her mother to the center and she liked it so much she started going herself.

“I like most of the games and socializing with the people.”

Jerry Wooten, 64, has been coming twice a week for about a year after his Bible study at a nearby church.

“I try to get Mom to come every day because it’s good to get out instead of staying isolated all the time,” he said.

Vara Reaves, 88, has been going on and off for four years. After her husband died in 2023, she started attending more regularly.

“I’m a people person and I like to be around people. It’s important to me and the fellowship and the chance to get out and with other people is a good thing.”

Several of the center’s participants have lost a spouse. Kat Henson, 73, said when her husband died about nine years ago, she started looking for something to do.

“I need friends, and I have them here,” she said. “It’s really special here.”

Melba Fincher, 70, is an Alabama football fan and said she enjoys going to the center where she volunteers when needed and enjoys playing games and working puzzles.

“I try to be good but sometimes I’m not,” she said with a laugh. “There’s good company here.”

Geraldine is home to 910 residents and a little more than 21 percent of the town’s population is aged 65 or older, according to 2020 U.S. Census records.

Annette said all are welcome and anyone interested can stop by the center for a visit at 152 Old Mill St. or call 256-659-4068 for more information.

February 5, 2025

From left, Bob and Dawn Potter, and Pat Miller playing Bingo with friends at the Madison Crossroads Senior Center. To their right is Ken Smith in the cowboy hat, and his wife Rebecca Smith.  

Friends gathered at the Madison Crossroads Senior Center

Ruth and CH Oliver competing for Bingo prizes at the Madison Crossroads Senior Center

Phil and Patty Embrey

The Bingo competition underway at Madison Crossroads Senior Center

Playing Bingo at the Madison Crossroads Senior Center

Pat Costantino calls Bingo at the Madison Crossroads Senior Center

On one of the coldest days in recent memory, the Madison Crossroads Senior Center had a good crowd of regulars who braved the below freezing temperature for hot coffee, games, prizes, and most importantly – fellowship.

The center opened about three years ago in the new Madison Crossroads Community Center on Pulaski Pike in Toney. Michele Georgantis, the center manager said there are about 25 people who attend regularly with another 25 who attend sporadically.

Most days, the room is filled to near capacity.

“We may need a bigger space at some point,” she said.

Participants give several reasons for the center’s popularity:

• It’s close to their home.
• The walking track in the attached gym.
• Bingo, Pokeno and other games.
• Seeing friends.
• And Michele’s coffee.

“Michelle makes a really good cup of coffee,” said Bob Potter, 67.

Michelle serves about 25 hot meals each day and another 14 seniors in the community receive homebound meals.

And thanks to donations from a nearby Publix, bread or sweet treats are on hand as prizes for their games. Michele says when someone wins a game, they can choose a bread or sweet treat as their prize.

Bob and wife Dawn Potter, 68, selected lemon cake slices, cookies, and water rolls for their wins.

“The water rolls are good if you’ve never had them,” Dawn said. “We love them, but we really don’t care too much for the sweets. Our grandson really loves what we bring home.”

The Potters have been going to the center for the past two years.

“We were coming to the track every morning and people here hounded us for probably six months to come to the senior center,” Dawn said. “We finally came one day and have been coming ever since.”

Bob said it’s something else to do to get them out of the house and “we love everybody here, being with the people, the laughter, and really good hot coffee,” he added.

Ruth and CH Oliver have been going to the center since it opened.

“We had been coming to walk every morning and saw the sign that they were going to be opening the Senior Center, and we were among the first to sign up,” Ruth said. “A lot of the time, it’s about getting up and getting out of the house to see friendly faces and play a fun game.”

CH said having the activities to look forward to and the bonus of the walking track are big draws.

“There’s also food, music, and it’s free,” Ruth said. “We’ve met a lot of sweet people, and we all enjoy each other for sure.”

Phil and Patty Embrey have been going to the center about two and a half years – because of the Olivers.

Pat asked if she had to tell her real age, saying that she’s 21, before admitting she’s 70. She knew Ruth from the Homemakers Club. Pat said when Ruth kept inviting her to come to the Senior Center, she was confused.

“I knew her husband was a retired engineer, and I thought the senior center was only for certain incomes. When I asked Ruth, she explained that anyone can come that income doesn’t mean a thing,” Pat said. “So, we started coming and having a good time.”

She now tells people to come and to expect hugs.

“It’s good to get out of the house and the food helps too,” Pat added.

“We’ve gotten to know a lot of people we get to see, and it helps us to keep going, putting one foot in front of the other,” Phil said.

Wilma Pinch, 74, brings her brother, Gary Knupp, 72 to the center for the activities at least two days a week.

Gary said he enjoys playing Bingo and the other games.

“The people here are very, very nice and we usually stay for lunch too,” Gary said.

Pat Constantino, 66, volunteers to call Bingo and the other games.

“I love being here,” Pat said. “The people are great and it’s just a great way to stay connected to the community.”

Michelle said anyone interested in learning more may stop by the center located at 11329 Pulaski Pike in Toney, or they may call her at 256-813-3036.

The Madison Crossroads Senior Center is located in the Madison Crossroads Community Center, 11329 Pulaski Pike in Toney.