Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Valentine royalty crowned at Senior Adult Center

There is always something fun and exciting going on at the Central Arkansas Development Council/Gurdon Senior Activities Center.

On Friday, Feb. 13, the center announced its 2004 Valentine King and Queen.

Each year candidates for the position try to raise money for the center. The money is then used to provide hot meals for seniors in the community who are unable to leave their home and may otherwise not have a warm meal.

This year's King and Queen candidates included, Charles and Carolyn Woolf, John Henry and Genevive Cunningham, and Ross Carter and Charlyne Wells.

A total of $1,007 was raised by the three couples.

"I am so excited about the competition this year. This center is full of wonderful people and they are all special. You all look out for one another and that is obvious by the care you all put into raising the money to keep us going," said Center Director Royce Ann Barbaree.

"I am so proud of the $1,007 raised to help the shut ins. It makes me want to cry when I see how much you all really do care."

Barbaree began the Valentine's Day ceremony by telling all center patrons to help themselves to homemade cookies and punch. She then called out John Henry and Genevive Cunningham to come up to the front of the center where Cunningham was given a long stem red rose and Henry was pinned with a red carnation boutonniere.

First Runners-Up Charles and Carolyn Woolf then followed suit with everyone cheering as they knew the 2004 King and Queen were Ross Carter and Charlyne Wells.

As Carter and Wells walked to the front of the center, Barbaree placed red capes trimmed in fur around their necks. The capes were made by Barbaree's mother-in-law.

Crowns were placed on the heads of the new King and Queen's as they were lead to a table at the front of the room where the rest of the court was seated to eat Friday's lunch. Center volunteers carried the court their lunches and made sure they were well taken care of.

Prizes for the winners were donated by several of Gurdon's business' and well appreciated by the staff of the CADC/GSAC as well as those receiving them.

The King and Queen will be able to eat out all week long and never pay for a meal, as they received meals and drinks from Allen's Bar-B-Que, Sonic, The Pizza Shack and Lewie's. A free oil change was donated from Palmer's Service Center and $20 worth of gas was donated by Calley's Station.

Those prizes not to mention the several others items like, chocolates, hair care products, flowers, candies, candles and several other items were donated to the King and Queen.

Fruit baskets and many other goodies were given to the runner's up. These items were donated by Austin Capps, Thomerson's Drug, Forget-Me-Knot, New Image Salon, Billy's Main Street Florist, Sexton Foods, Palmer's Service Station, Calley's Station, Allen's Bar-B-Que, Lewie's, Video Max, Pizza Barn, Sonic, Dollar General and the Gurdon Chamber of Commerce.

"I cannot express how much I appreciate everyone in the community donating and helping out to make our competition such a success. Everyone was gracious and kind and I look forward to working with them again next year," said Barbaree as she talked about the businesses and individuals who donated.

She went on to explain, "The fun doesn't stop here for this king and queen. They will preside over the Forest Festival Parade float and all festivities at the CADC/GSAC during 2004."

It cannot be expressed enough, how important the center is to the community and the seniors who attend on a regular basis.

"It is a wonderful place for seniors to gather and socialize, eat good warm food prepared right here in our kitchen, and just keep themselves active. It is not a hand out, we do ask for a dollar donation a day for a meal, but this is not a handout. We do have funding, but we also raise our own money and that is were the fun comes in. We also do activities at the center, such as some of the ladies quilting together each day, we play games, we do crafts, and just have a great time. I love to get a van load of seniors and head out on a special trip. We do this often and everyone enjoys it. Sometimes we go out to eat or go shopping. Our latest adventure is taking us to the Smackover Oil Museum and then to El Dorado to the square to eat lunch. I can't wait," said Barbaree.

Council member dues are a dollar a year and allows you to attend trips. This provides the insurance while on trips and covers all necessary boundaries. You do not have to be a member of the council to be able to eat lunch.

Council members vote on a board of directors each year and elect a president. This year's president is Doug Quillin.

Everyone is invited to the center. Lunch begins at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday with the exception of major holidays. Anyone 60 years of age or above are welcomed and other guests are encouraged to attend.

"I would like to encourage all the business owners and members of the community who have helped us or participated in our activities, to come in and have a lunch with us at anytime and just see what we have going for us.

"My goal is to get as many people attending as we possibly can," said Barbaree.