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.