A Senior Citizen Community Organization has been formed to plan activities for anyone interested. Keith Neale is president, Wanda Gilliam is vice-president, and Juanita Duvall is secretary/treasurer.

“I come for companionship, in November my brother moved to Arkansas. I come here for lunch. For the most part I enjoy the meals,” Neale said.

There are a lot of activities here throughout the month, he said.

“Bingo is held twice a month. There’s music on Thursday and Friday, people play cards, shoot pool, and can work a puzzle,” he said. “They can do bead work and art.”

Neale ran into a cousin he hadn’t seen in a while.

Jim Duvall comes to the center daily with his wife Juanita. He’s been coming to the center for 14 years.

“It’s good to get out of the house, and after a while you get to where you don’t want to leave,” Duvall said.

“I enjoy visiting with people. I do a lot of reading, and overall the food is not bad.”

He hadn’t seen his cousin Keith Neale is a long time.

“Keith started coming here and I’ve gotten to know him better since he’s been coming here,” said Duvall.

Across the room, Donna Merrie was playing cards. Sometimes works the puzzle and enjoys bingo.

“I enjoy the competition,” Merrie said.

Last Friday she was playing cards with Janus Muskrat, Roger Glass and George Bunch.

Muskrat said she likes to listen to the music.

Meeting with people is what brings Bunch to the center. “The lunch is good most of the time,” said Bunch.

For Glass, talking to everybody is his reason to come.

“The food is good,” Glass said.

 Visiting with friends, Ramona Byrd said she likes the music and dances when she feels good.

“The food is good. It’s something I wouldn’t cook at home, so it’s a better meal,” Byrd said. “I like to hear all the news.”

When lunch was served, it didn’t take long for everyone to get a plate. About 30 people came to have lunch Friday.

Janis Sanders said she comes to the center to enjoy talking to people.

“We sit, visit, talk and cut up. Sometimes I do beadwork or color,” Sanders said.

Marvin Grant and Roger Glass play a game of pool with spectators Gary Littledeer and Mitchell Glass.

photo: Renee Fite

“We sit, visit, talk and cut up. Sometimes I do beadwork or color,” Sanders said.

Musicians enjoy having a place to jam, and friends to jam with.

“I play bass and guitar. I know a lot of musicians. Most people here like the music, some put up with it,” said Levi Jones. “People here are friendly and get along with one another.”

Toward the back of the building, there are two rooms; one has two pool tables and one is empty with tables where people can make art.

Marvin Grant and Roger Glass were setting the balls to play a game of pool.

“I like to play pool with the guys, and they like to tell stories,” Grant said as he broke the balls.

Glass said he enjoys talking to the guys and playing pool. He was playing cards earlier.

Fellowship brings Gary Littledeer to the center. He was watching the pool game.

The food is good.

“And there’s a puzzle table, bingo and cards,” Littledeer said.

Mitchell Glass just started coming to the center. “I like to watch them play pool,” he said.

Art is led by retired art teacher Juanita Duvall. She is usually at the center from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

“I create art with people who want to color, do beadwork, weaving with construction paper like flat reed baskets. I can do all sorts of art, like daisy chains, loom work and beaded rings,” Duvall said.

She encourages citizens to come for lunch and enjoy the activities. And is seeking businesses or individuals willing to donate prizes.

Bingo is played on the third Tuesday of each month. Birthdays are celebrated on the third Wednesday of the month. 

“We can use help, such as donations for bingo prizes,” said Duvall. “Kester Funeral Home gives us two gift cards for birthdays, Roberts Funeral Home gives us a sheet cake, and Cut Ups gives us ice cream. Stephanie West with Adair County Health Department really cares, she really cares and tries to help us out. Angel’s Care helps with blood pressure checks and Quail Ridge sometimes does bingo, too.”

Making beaded jewelry is one of the popular projects for those who enjoy making art.

photo: Renee Fite