It’s a Thursday morning and the smell of bacon welcomes everyone through the front door at the Good Springs Activity Center in western Limestone County.
A crowd of 14 gathered for a homecooked breakfast, one of two meals served each week at the center. It’s a big draw for participants, some who also contribute homemade treats to what’s prepared at the center on Alabama Highway 99 between Siniard and Shelton roads.
Some of the participants who grew up in the community remember attending school in the building when they were young.
Faye Boston, 78, can show you where her desk was in the sixth grade. “I sat right over there,” she said pointing before going to stand in her old desk spot.
Music is what drew her back to the building a little more than a year ago when her brother came over from Muscle Shoals to play music at the center.
“I’d thought about coming before that because I’d heard a lot about it,” Faye recalled. “So, I came to hear my brother play and I’ve been coming ever since.”
She enjoys playing cards and having fun with the others. Her husband Glenn also comes most days. He’s getting ready to celebrate his 90th birthday.
“We’re a family,” she said. Others say the same thing.
Janet Owens, 81, has been coming to the center before the old school building was renovated and became its new home.
“We have good food, we play games, and we have a good time,” Janet said.
T.W. Mosley, 92, has been going to the center since it first opened. His wife Doris also came until she passed away six months.
“I enjoy playing Rook, T.W. said. “I also enjoy the food and the fellowship – we’re like brothers and sisters here.”
Diane Jackson, 73, agrees.
“I enjoy the interactions that we have,” Diane said. “If you live by yourself, it gives you somewhere to go and it’s good for your mental health to be around others. I enjoy listening to all the stories ± and it’s just a fun place to be.”
Becky Ridgeway, 81, said after her husband died in 2022, she needed something to do.
“We’re all falling apart but we can still get together and have a good time,” Becky added.
Larry Marbut, 78, a former town council member from Lester, has been joining the fun at the center since his wife died in 2022.
“My brother and his wife invited me, and I knew T.W. and (the former manager) so I came, and I’ve been coming ever since.”
Joan Carter, 70, has been going to the center for eight years — and she’s the center manager’s mother. She said there’s always been something for everyone at the Good Springs Center.
“Whenever someone new comes in, they just fall right in with us,” she said. Larry Buchanan and Bob and June Ellis agree.
Larry is the newest newcomer, who started in January of this year after he moved to the area from Kentucky to live with his daughter.
“I didn’t know anyone,” Larry said. “I found friendship here. The food is good too and it’s always a lot of fun. But everybody here cares about each other and that’s the main part.”
Bob, 84, and June, 86, moved to the area 11 years ago from Michigan to be closer to their daughter. To them, the center is their home away from home.
“I like the southern cooking,” Bob said. “And the people here. Plus, there’s a lot for seniors to do here.”
June said they were tired of the cold weather “and the people here make it home.”
There are still several people who grew up in the area who attend too. Ronnie Bates, 80, has been a regular at the center for about 11 years now.
“It could be one of two things that got me here,” Ronnie said. It could have been a divorce or moving from Muscle Shoals to be closer to his daughter in the area where he grew up.
“I live by myself, but my daughter looks after me,” Ronnie said. “I really enjoy the food and the friendship here. We’ve got some really good cooks here.”
Michelle Roberson has been the center’s part-time manager since July of this year. She said attendance ranges between 14 and 22 people, depending on the day and doctor’s appointments.
The center is unique in that it’s only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lunch is served on Tuesdays and breakfast each Thursday. Michelle delivers frozen meals to three TARCOG Nutrition Program participants in the area each week.
In addition to the traditional game playing, puzzle making or story sharing, the center members also enjoy special events involving music, school students visiting to interact with them, or special events like an upcoming hayride.
Michelle also works part-time at the Owens Senior Center and loves both places.
“I love them both,” Michelle said. “I have a big mouth and like to be the life of the party, and it makes my day being able to put a smile on someone’s face and that’s my daily goal.”
Michelle and the center participants welcome anyone interested to join them. The Good Springs Activity Center, located at 33634 Alabama Highway 99, is open on Tuesdays and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The center phone number is 256-233-8050.
Rook is underway at the Good Springs Activity Center
T.W. Mosley
Bob Ellis
June Ellis
Faye Boston shows where her sixth grade desk sat when she went to school in the building when it was the Good Springs School.
Janet Owens
Joan Carter
Diane Jackson
Ronnie Bates
Becky Ridgeway
Larry Marbut
Larry Buchanan
Good Springs Activity Center Manager Michelle Robertson
Center Manager Michelle Robertson talks with participants about an upcoming hay ride.
Sharing stories and playing games at the Good Springs Activity Center.
Good Springs Senior Center in western Limestone County