MERIDIAN — In December, several Golden Living Center residents and staff visited the Toomsuba Welcome Center, where we were served a nice cup of coffee. The residents enjoyed being out and about in the nice day of sunshine and breezy weather.

    Minister’s wives come once a year to sing and bring gifts on the first Saturday of every month. Volunteers from the community all around came to bring the children to carol or dance, Cornerstone, Home schoolers, Lockhart Holiness Church, Mt. Zion Meridian sang and gave short messages and gifts, which is always appreciated, Mt. Zion of Cuba gave boxes of fruit and candy, Northcrest adults sang and brought gifts for all the residents to enjoy for Christmas (over 100 gifts), Carol Merrill, Pat Gray Dancers, and many more the residents were glad to see and thank them for coming.

    The staff hosted a birthday party for all the December babies, and all residents were invited for ice cream cake served with coffee or punch. Bingo on Monday’s; overall winner Sallie Gray for the week.

    The band came to play and sing Christmas songs dressed in their Christmas attire – red vest and Santa Claus caps. A large group of residents were in attendance. As they started to sing "Here Comes Santa Claus," the door opened and in came Santa Claus, which was quite a surprise, and it brought smiles and hand clapping. He gave each one a snack. Staff served coffee and cake; it was a very enjoyable time.

    The Bailey ladies brought a short message, sang Christmas carols, led prayer and gave everyone a tube of hand cream. Pastor Pam Nolan and several members came for a short program and sang Christmas carols from Sageville and Wesley United Methodist Church.                 The Jug Band from Oak Grove Baptist Church came to sing, and when they sang "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," the men’s red nose lit up red. This brought a laugh. Alice and Earline played the piano, read a story she wrote and sang. Earline had Divinity candy to be served. The chaplain from Harper’s Hospice, Charles Engelbrecht, came for a short Christmas message, and did singing with Kay Scurlock at the piano.

    The Christmas celebration was great, with Santa present to give out gifts. Susan Caynor and friend dressed in Santa dresses sang while we enjoyed lots of great food prepared by the staff.

    Thanks to all for helping to go out of 2012 with such joy and thanks. Looking forward to 2013 and all that it will bring.



    • Sallie Gray, a longtime 4-H leader and community development club member, is now a resident of Golden Living Center.