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Enola Gay Mathews
Monday Aug. 21 is National Senior Citizens Day! The age you can start calling yourself a senior and reaping the rewards has moved back over the last few years. Depends on who, but some consider it starts at age 55, some at 60, some at 62, and others at 65. And, the upper end has no limit.
Example: I ran across a photo at the Center of the late Corrine Snow, the first Yellow Rose of Texas from Hopkins County, at age 111. Having just reached my seventh decade, I like taking advantage of all the senior perks I can.
Back to National Senior Citizens Day. It started in 1988. Did anyone besides me miss that over the years? For 2023, where we live, I don’t know of any official observance, but Dawna at the seniors' center plans to present a little tribute to those who utilize the center on Monday just prior to the 9:30 a.m. Fit and Strong exercise class. That’s because in addition to individuals who attend BINGO, table games, crafts, exercise and other events of the center, there is a strong segment who keep it functioning through their volunteerism. Their volunteerism is essential to Meal-A-Day and many weekly and annual offerings. A reminder, the annual Senior Olympics is set for Sept. 15 at The ROC.
I stopped by The ROC yesterday on my search for seniors who volunteer. I located Tim, who was on that day’s schedule to be in the office. He willingly gave me a few comments for my podcast regarding his volunteerism, steered me to info about exercise classes held there, which I was asking about, and reminded me that The ROC has meeting rooms that any organization or group can utilize with a simple reservation. Most senior volunteers are like Tim; informed, friendly and helpful.
One of our most beautiful and revered seniors, Jan Massey who now wears the crown of Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic 2023, caught me in an error. I’m appreciative of her because that proves her close readership of the paper. The Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant is where not only will Jan compete for the state title, but where our current Texas queen, Vender Wright, will hand over her crown to the 2023 winner. The pageant is set for Saturday, Sept. 23, in Tyler, Texas at 7 p.m. inside the Holiday, Inn of Tyler, 5701 South Broadway. Tickets to attend are $17 in advance and $19 at the door. For information, phone 972-424-4376 or 903-566-8888. Please consider going to support Jan at this important event.
Waco is experiencing a record stretch of rainless days. Currently, it’s 47 consecutive days without any precipitation, July 2 through Aug. 17. That rivals the record of 1918.
It’s hot. Some people have given up watering their lawns, gardens and flowerbeds. It’s sad to see them go. But don’t we usually get rain as a result of a Gulf hurricane around Labor Day or the start of September? Let’s hope that happens, if not sooner.
Meantime, let’s be thankful, count our blessings, and be good to our neighbors.