I had the privilege of going to the Taylor Senior Citizens Center and taking some pictures and talking to some of the seniors that were there. I had such a fun time!  As soon as I walked in, I was greeted with so many smiling faces. Everyone there is so nice, and makes you feel so welcome. I went about an hour before lunch time, so the place was not filled up yet, but there was about 15 seniors there. I went over to a table full of men that were playing dominoes, and talked with them for a few minutes. They were so funny, they had me laughing the whole time I was talking to them. The next stop was at a table of 3 women who were playing rummikub. They were so sweet, and funny also. They told me that they absolutely loved the Taylor Senior Citizens Center. “If it weren’t for this place, I would be bored at my house all day and not have any friends”, is what one of the ladies said. The seniors get to go on trips out of town, as well as little day trips to places around town. They all said they love being able to go on the trips with all of their friends. “We have the best time on our trips”, said all of the ladies. They had just gotten back from going to the Hyundai plant in Montgomery, and they were excitedly telling me about their upcoming trips. They are going to Americas, GA to get on a train and ride it to Plains, GA where they will spend the day doing different activities. They are also going to LaGrange, GA in September for a day trip. September 29 – October 1, they are going to be in Gatlinburg for a conference, which everyone was very excited about. Also, once a month at the Senior Center, they have a birthday party for everyone that has a birthday that month. Everyone brings a covered dish and they have entertainment. They also have a drawing for door prizes, so if anybody would like to donate gift cards, gifts, or money for the drawings then please contact Beverly at the Senior Center 334-677-5536. Everyone I talked to said the birthday party is a lot of fun. The Seniors also keep themselves busy at the Center when they are not taking trips. They play bingo, sing, do crafts, dominoes, rummikub, play cards, quilting, and a lot more.

The Senior Center is open to seniors 60 years old and older. They are open daily from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and lunch is served around 12 noon everyday. There are about 150 – 170 active members of the Senior Center. They feed 45 people a day, so the Seniors have to rotate days that they eat with everybody else.  Also, the Center delivers 27 meals a day to homebound Seniors. The homebound meals are $49 a month per person. You can sponsor Seniors in this program by contacting SARCOA at 334-793-6843 or 1-800-239-3507 or www.sarcoa.org and telling them you want to sponsor someone in their hungry to help program. All of the Seniors that are members of the Center pay their own way when they go on trips. If you would like to help any of the Seniors or donate to the Center, you may call the Taylor Senior Citizens Center at 334-677-5536. The director of the Center is Beverly Dean, the office manager is Debbie Loftis, the kitchen supervisor is Helen Hayes (her husband Terry is also a volunteer at the Center), the bus driver is Thomas Godwin. There are also many volunteers that put a lot of time into the Senior Center. Beverly Dean said the Center would not be able to survive without all of the volunteers they have.

The Seniors are making a quilt that will be in the Peanut Festival and then raffled off for donations. There is also a Senior that makes baby booties that are adorable and so beautiful. She had pink and white ones, but can make any color. I had to buy a pair of white ones for a friend that is having a baby very soon. She sells them for $10 a pair. They are definitely something that can be in your family for generations. I love handmade booties for babies.

Anyone can go visit the Seniors at the Center. They said they love it when people come out and spend time with them. The address is 1457 S. County Road 59 in Taylor. You would definitely have a very fun time. I know I sure had a blast with all the Seniors.

Staci Hartzog, Dothan Eye News