FAIRVIEW, Ala. – The Cullman County Commission on Aging held its first Senior Shindig since the beginning of the pandemic on Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. It was also the first year the Shindig was held at Randall Shedd Park in Fairview instead of the usual location, Sportsman Lake Park. The event was held in Fairview due to a grant being acquired from the Alabama Department of Tourism with the help of Senator Garlan Gudger, Corey Harbison and Representative Randall Shedd. Cullman County Commission on Aging Director Stephanie Lawson stated, “We’re really thankful for Representative Randall Shedd, Corey Harbison and Senator Garlan Gudger. It’s because of the hard work of these three gentlemen that we were able to get some money to pull this thing together, so we could come out and just have a good day.”
Representative Shedd addressed the crowd, saying, “It’s good to be back home. It’s good to be with you. I’m blessed and thankful. I appreciate the Department of Tourism for providing the grant to have this event.”
Commissioner Jeff Clemons also attended the event. He said, “It is always a good time with our seniors.” He noted the importance of holding the event in a new location to include seniors from every community in the county. All county senior centers close for large community senior events like the Shindig, and many take the C.A.R.T.S buses to attend, so moving around events helps them to be more accessible.
Several contests were held, including a hog calling contest, rooster calling contest and a “Seniors Got Talent” show. The emcee for the morning was the talented 2022 Ms. Senior World 60’s Tammy Little Haynes, who has been the only person ever to hold both the Miss Alabama and Ms. Senior Alabama titles.
Awards were given to the Oldest Man and Woman in attendance, as well as the Couple Married the Longest.
The Oldest Man in attendance was Charles Hambie who is 88 years old. The Oldest Woman was Louise Carr at 96 years old. Jackie and Bob Parker had been married the longest for 67 years. Tammy Haynes asked Bob if he had anything he wanted to say and he simply said, “No.” She joked, “That is the secret.” Representative Shedd shared about his friends the Parkers, saying, “They met at the roller-skating rink, and she said they’ve been going around and around ever since.”
Barbara Moody, former Ms. Senior Cullman in 2010, placed first in the talent competition with a rendition of “My Redeemer Lives” winning a prize of $100. Johnny Gill and Barbara Whitehead placed second and third respectively in the talent competition. Gill performed “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be,” while Whitehead performed, “Blue Kentucky Girl.”
Commissioner Clemons concluded the event with, “We want to thank our Commission on Aging staff. We’ve got the best staff in Cullman County. We want to thank all of them because they make this possible. It’s truly an honor to be here to honor our seniors and just to see the smiles and knowing what we’ve overcome from two years ago.”
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