July 15, 2025

If there’s one thing 92-year-old Robert Howell counts on, it’s a hot meal from the New Hope Senior Center.

“I don’t usually eat until around 2 in the afternoon so I like to take mine home so I can eat it when I’m ready,” Robert said sitting in the passenger seat of his daughter and son-in-law’s car in the center parking lot. “I am so thankful for them here because I know I will be getting one good meal every day.”

A hot meal for lunch with friends is the main attraction at the New Hope Senior Center, said Dean Manley, center manager. He and Diane Honea run the center with her responsible for Meals on Wheels. They serve 17 hot meals at the center and 9 meals are delivered to homebound participants.

There are activities and games made available to those who come to the center, but mostly, people come for the food, Dean said.

Robert is a prime example. A few years ago when his daughter Kay Witherow and her husband, Joel, moved to Grant, he went with them. Within a couple of weeks, he was ready to move back home and showed up at the New Hope center.

“He walked in the door and asked if he could come home,” Diane said. “I told him of course, and he wanted to know when he could get a meal.”

Kay, 71, and Joel, 84, sometimes join in big meals at the center like at Thanksgiving and other special holidays.

“They’ve been so good to Daddy,” Kay said. “It means a lot to know he gets this one meal each day and that he looks forward to it.”

Diane said they’ve spoiled their community at the center.

 “They know we’ll have lunch ready at 11, they’ll come in chat, eat and go home and probably be taking a nap by 11:30.”

Dean said participants call frequently ask questions about different services or repairs they need help with at their homes. They know it’s a resource for them, in addition to the hot meals.

Dean and Diane and first cousins and have created a center that is a family affair. Grandkids come up from time to time and help out with cleaning or visiting with the participants. Some of the participants also bring their grandkids along because everyone knows each other.

And it’s a place where friends are remembered. Dustin Layne planted a crepe myrtle outside the center in honor of his grandmother Arlene Duncan. The family of Modena Spivey gave the center an upright freezer in her memory because my loved the center so much.

And it’s not just the hometown folks who feel welcome. Phil Vanaria, 84, moved to the area from Florida in May, after the death of his longtime wife. He wanted to be closer to his son in Owens Cross Roads.

“The food is better here than in Florida,” Phil said. As an Army veteran, he now leads the pledge of allegiance and prayer at the center every day.

“When I got here, I thought, this is unreal,” he said. “The people in this state are very different from anywhere I’ve ever been. They are more friendly than anywhere else.”

In the activity room, Terra Wilcox, 83, is working on a puzzle featuring dogs.

“Anyone who comes in here has to put at least two pieces on a puzzle before they can leave,” she said. Working puzzles is good for the mind, she added.

“I like associating with other people and it helps me to get out and talk to other people, “Terra said. “One friend comes three days a week and we sit and color … we really enjoy it.”

She said what’s nice about the food at the center is that it’s a plate with balanced nutrition.

“I don’t do a lot of shopping, and I don’t like to throw away food and I don’t cook anymore,” Terra said. “I’d be all alone in the world without this place … it’s a wonderful, wonderful place.”

Peggy Hubbs, 80, and her husband Robert, 77, come to center to volunteer with serving and cleanup.

“I like helping people and it helps you when you do something to help others,” she said.

Aline McGlocklin, 70, has been coming to the center for lunch for about three months.

“My brother gets food delivered and he likes it, and I decided to come here,” Aline said. “I love my ladies here. The people and the food are good.”

Charley McPeters, 83, and his wife Ava, also help out at the center by helping cleanup after meals.

“The meals provide what we need to eat,” Charley said. “But I’m not a fan of the chicken when we have that.”

Linda Harris, 78, started going to the center in 2013 and a few years later, and husband Don Harris, 77, started going.

“We both wanted a place to come and enjoy other older people,” Don said. “We weren’t always the oldest but it’s nice to fellowship with others, hear them talk and tell their stories about growing up in this area.”

Dean said anyone interested in coming to the center can stop by at 121 Church Street, or call 256-723-2208 for more information.

July 11, 2025

Lillian Adell, of Athens, tries the Basketball Free Throw in the Age 80-84 category as TARCOG Volunteer Lina Barnett watches. Lillian won third place in Frisbee Throw and Shuffleboard in the regional games to qualify for the state games in the fall.

TARCOG is ready to cheer on 61 active North Alabama adults aged 55 and older who have qualified to compete in the Masters Games Alabama during October.

Throughout the month of June, 216 first, second and third place, medals were awarded, and 49 qualifications were made for those who participated in the regional games to qualify for the State Games, which will be held Trussville.

This year’s games include Basketball Free Throw, Billiards, Bowling, Cornhole, Domino Doubles, Domino Singles, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Rook, Shuffleboard, Softball Throw, and Table Tennis. Preliminary competitions were held at different locations throughout the region.

We are also excited to announce that Roxie Wright, 89, and Wilma Shortt, 87, from Jackson County’s Scottsboro Senior Center will be inducted into the Hall of Fame for the State Games because their longtime participation. Both will be competing again this year, along with a strong representation from throughout the Masters Games District 2, which is made up of Cullman, DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan counties.

We are proud of all the participants from North Alabama area who qualified including:

DeKalb County ribbon winners and qualifiers include:

• Brenda Womack, Fyffe, second place, Frisbee Throw and Nerf Throw; third, Cornhole (age 80-84 category)
• Brenda Pettry, Fyffe, third place, Softball Throw (age 75-79 category)
• Carmie Pettry, Fyffe, first place, Nerf Throw and Shuffleboard; second, Frisbee Throw, third, Cornhole, qualified for bowling. (age 80-84 category)
• Carol Logan, Fort Payne, first place, Cornhole (age 70-74 category)
• Christine Ashley, Fort Payne, first place, Domino Singles, Shuffleboard, Table Tennis; second Basketball Free Throw, Rook and Softball Throw; third, Nerf Throw. Qualified for Domino Doubles (age 80-84 category)
• Colon Daniel, Fort Payne, first place, Cornhole, Rook and Table Tennis; second, Basketball Free Throw, Domino Singles, Nerf Throw, and Shuffleboard. Qualified for Softball Throw (age 70-74 category)
• Connie Green, Fort Payne, first place, Domino Singles; second, Domino Doubles; third, Cornhole, Frisbee Throw, Shuffleboard and Table Tennis (age 65-69 category)
• Debbie Daniel, Fort Payne, first place, Nerf Throw, Rook, Shuffleboard, Table Tennis; second, Basketball Free Throw and Frisbee Throw; third, Softball Throw (age 70-74 category)
• Debbie Busby, Rainsville, first place, Basketball Free Throw and Rook; second, Domino Singles and Frisbee Throw; third, Nerf Throw (age 65-69 category)
• Dee Vaughn, Crossville, qualified for Basketball Free Throw, Cornhole, Rook and Softball Throw (age 55-59 category)
• Denise Harris, Sylvania, first place, Domino Doubles, Nerf Throw and Table Tennis; second, Bowling and Cornhole; third, Basketball Free Throw and Billiards; qualified for Rook (age 65-69 category)
• Dianne Manning, Collinsville, first place, Cornhole, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Rook, Softball Throw; second, Shuffleboard; qualified for Bowling (age 80-84 category)
• Dorothy Berry, Grove Oak, second place, Rook (age 75-79 category)
• Dot Twilley, Fort Payne, first place, Rook; qualified for Domino Doubles (age 50-59 category)
• James Manning, Collinsville, first place Rook; second, Cornhole, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw and Shuffleboard (age 80-84 category)
• Janet Hood, Henagar, second place, Rook (age 75-79 category)
• Janine Sims, Fort Payne, first place, Basketball Free Throw, Rook and Table Tennis; second, Billiards, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard and Softball Throw (age 75-79 category)
• Joann Carter, Fort Payne, qualified for Basketball Free Throw, Cornhole, Domino Singles, Domino Doubles and Softball Throw (age 55-59 category)
• Patsy Griggs, Fort Payne, first place, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Rook, Shuffleboard; second, Domino Singles, Domino Doubles, and Table Tennis (age 65-69 category)
• Wanda Henderson, Fort Payne, first place, Cornhole, Domino Doubles, Shuffleboard, Softball Throw; second, Basketball Free Throw and Table Tennis (age 65-69 category)
• Wayne Henderson, Fort Payne, qualified for Basketball Free Throw, Corn Hole, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard and Softball Throw (age 75-79 category)

Jackson County ribbon winners and qualifiers include:

• Barbara Brune, Section, first place, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw; second, Cornhole, Shuffleboard and Softball Throw; qualified for Basketball Free Throw ((age 60-64 category)
• Roxie Wright, Scottsboro, first place, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard and Softball Throw; second, Basketball Free Throw, Cornhole, Domino Singles and Domino Doubles, Frisbee Throw; qualified for Rook (age 90+ category)
• Sheila Gifford, Scottsboro, qualified for Table Tennis (age 60-64 category)
• Wilma Shortt, Scottsboro, first place, Domino Singles, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard; second, Domino Doubles; third, Cornhole; qualified for Basketball Free Throw, Rook, and Softball Throw (age 85-89 category)

Limestone County ribbon winners and qualifiers include:

• Babette Powe, Athens, first place, Cornhole, Shuffleboard, Softball Throw, Table Tennis; second, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw; qualified for Domino Singles (age 60-64 category
• Betty Bolton, Athens, first place, Cornhole (age 85-89 category)
• Claude Marks, Athens, second place, Basketball Free Throw, Cornhole; third, Softball Throw (age 80-84 category
• Debra Collins, Athens, first place, Frisbee Throw, Table Tennis; second, Billiards, Shuffleboard and Softball Throw (age 65-69 category)
• Faye Sangerman, Athens, second place, Billiards, Table Tennis; third, Frisbee Throw (age 70-74 category)
• Lillian Adell, Athens, third place, Frisbee Throw and Shuffleboard (age 80-84 category)
• Linda Black, Athens, first place, Billiards, Cornhole, Softball Throw; second, Basketball Free Throw; third, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard; qualified for Table Tennis (age 75-79 category)
• Martha McWilliams, Athens, second place, Bowling; third place, Basketball Free Throw, Cornhole (age 70-74 category)
• Mary Shoulders, Athens, second place, Cornhole, Domino Singles, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, and Shuffleboard; qualified for Billiards (age 85-89 category)
• Patricia Southard, Athens, second place, Domino Doubles, Rook; third, Shuffleboard (age 70-74 category)
• Regina Emerson, Elkmont, first place, Billiards, Bowling, Domino Singles, Frisbee Throw; second, Cornhole, Nerf Throw and Softball Throw (age 70-74 category)
• Roger Bedingfield, Athens, first place, Basketball Free Throw, Domino Singles, Frisbee Throw; second, Billiards, Cornhole; third, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard; qualified for Table Tennis (age 70-74 category)
• Teresa Suit, Athens, second place, Rook (age 65-69 category)
• Willie Mae Baker, Athens, second place, Domino Doubles, Rook; third, Billiards, Cornhole; qualified for Table Tennis (age 75-79 category)

Madison County ribbon winners and qualifiers include:

• Annette Jiles, Madison, first place, Billiards and Bowling; second, Nerf Throw and Softball Throw (age 65-69 category)
• Bill Cooley, Huntsville, first place, Billiards, Nerf Throw and Shuffleboard; second, Frisbee Throw; qualified for Table Tennis (age 70-74 category)
• Donnie Higgins, Huntsville, third place, Basketball Free Throw; qualified for Bowling (age 80-84 category)
• Eunice Jett-Day, Madison, first place, Table Tennis; second, Shuffleboard; third, Billiards (age 70-74 category)
• Eva Douglass, Madison, first place, Basketball Free Throw, Domino Doubles, Softball Throw; second, Domino Singles; third, Nerf Throw (age 70-74 category)
• Frank Mazzone, Owens Cross Roads, qualified for Billiards (age 75-79 category)
• Frazier Douglass, Madison, first place, Domino Doubles and Frisbee Throw; second, Nerf Throw, Rook, Shuffleboard, Softball Throw; qualified for Domino Singles (age 70-74 category)
• Huey Anderson, Huntsville, first place, Billiards (age 85-89 category)
• Preston Thomas, Huntsville, qualified for Table Tennis (age 70-74 category)
• Wanda Higgins, Huntsville, second place, Cornhole; third, Basketball Free Throw; qualified Bowling (age 75-79 category)
• Wayson Lee, Huntsville, third place, Frisbee Throw (age 85-89 category)
• Willis McKinney, Huntsville, third place, Billiards (age 70-74 category)

Cullman County ribbon winners and qualifiers include:

• Fred Ponder, Cullman, third place, Billiards (age 85-89 category)
• Gay M. White, Cullman, first place, Basketball Free Throw; second, Cornhole; third, Softball Throw (age 80-84 category)
• Rick White, Cullman, first place, Basketball Free Throw, Cornhole and Softball Throw (age 80-84 category)
• Winfred Seay, Cullman, qualified for Billiards, (age 60-69 category)

Morgan County ribbon winners and qualifiers include:

• Earnest Lee, Hartselle, first place, Cornhole, Domino Doubles, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw and Shuffleboard; second place, Billiards; qualified for Basketball Free Throw, Domino Singles, Softball Throw and Table Tennis (age 85-89 category)
• Jean Porter, Decatur, second place, Domino Singles and Rook; third, Basketball Free Throw; qualified Domino Doubles (age 80-84 category)
• Marjorie “Faye” Williams, Somerville, first place, Domino Singles; qualified Domino Doubles (age 75-79 category)
• Rita Patton, Somerville, first place, Domino Singles; qualified Domino Doubles (age 75-79 category)
• Sarah “Alice” Miller, Lacey’s Spring, first place, Basketball Free Throw, Cornhole, Domino Doubles and Frisbee Throw; second, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard and Softball Throw; qualified for Billiards, Domino Singles and Table Tennis (age 90+ category)

June 26, 2025

There are two important signs outside the Martling Friendship Center. One identifies the building and the other tells you about its focus.

When you open the front door, you understand why the “Quilts for Sale” sign out front is so important. The pulpit that served the Ephesus Primitive Baptist Church for years is there, surround by quilts on display.

To the left, quilts are on the exercise equipment but can easily be moved to use the treadmill or bicycles. Then to the right, a large bolt of batting is set up. And along one wall is an old church pew filled with quilt tops from people in the community waiting for the ladies at the friendship center to finish the quilts.

The quilting frame takes up a large portion of the right side of the room and stays in use daily.

“We’re more than just quilting here,” said Joyce Lambert, 81. “But we do a lot of it and enjoy it.”

On a recent Tuesday morning, there are five ladies working on a quilt. Along with Lambert is Eva Kelly, 86, Evelyne Shirey, 75, Mary West, 86 but soon to be 87, and Mary Germain, 82. There are four more ladies who regularly work on the quilts too, she added.

It’s a good thing because that bench is full of projects for them.

Denise Williams, the center manager said they quilt three to four a week, depending on the size.

The ladies paid tribute to Gail Hyde, who either helped teach them or invited them to the center to join the quilting bee. Gail died in December 2023, but she is not forgotten.

“She left a lot of good memories here,” Evelyn said. “She fixed clothes and hemmed them, made tops and donated a lot of things.”

Aside from the quilts, which is a big draw to the center, there’s also fun, games and food there. That’s the friendship part.

“They kidnapped me,” Joyce said joking. “No, they invited me here …”

Mary West said she’s been going to the center for years because she likes everyone there.

“We can be ourselves and we play with each other, have a good time,” she said. “And we all get along.”

At a nearby table, Lois Gilstrap, 85, is working on a puzzle, but her reasons for coming to the center are simple.

“I needed a place to play Rook!” Lois said. “And it motivates me to get up and get going. Otherwise, I’d probably sit at home in my pajamas all day.”

Bingo is another popular activity which took place today. And while waiting for lunch to be served, the conversations focused on everything from favorite restaurants to trips the group has taken together or are planning. Everyone is looking forward to taking a trip to Isom’s Apple Orchard near Athens on June 25.

“We have a lot of fun here,” said Lynn Christian, 67. She and her husband Dean, 70, have been going to the center a few years.

Bobby Rice, 88, said he’s been a regular at the center for about five years because he likes to play games, Bingo, and sometimes he goes on the center’s trips.

“There’s a lot of good comraderie here,” said JoAnn Richey, 83.

Denise started working at the center in 2018 as the bus driver before she became center manager when the job opened up. But her history with the center goes back to her childhood.

She said her grandmother was the first manager of the Martling Friendship Center, and she attended the old Ephesus Primitive Baptist Church, the building in which the friendship center is now located.

“When I was a kid I came to the center a lot in the summer,” Denise recalled. “I guess even when I was young, I was old.”

Her love for the center and its participants shows.

Denise said the center serves 25 hot meals daily each week and delivers nine meals to homebound participants. Rides to the center are available by calling the center at 256-878-5751.

More recently, the community is sometimes called MAPS – to include Martling, Asbury and Poplar Springs. Everyone knows about the quilting and the center’s raffle held every three or four months. This month a patriotic quilt featuring an American Eagle and American flag is up for grabs in honor of the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. For $1 tickets, stop by the center.

Denise said the funds raised from the quilts help pay for the center’s day trips or special group outings to eat.

“Anybody can join us here,” Eva Kelly said.

“That’s right. We’re more than happy for anyone to sign up,” Denise said. “These ladies will teach you how to sew or you can play Rook or have fun playing Bingo and any of the other activities we have here.”

The center is located at 4059 Martling Road outside of Albertville in Marshall County.