Yabba dabba doo and “The Old Rugged Cross”
Not many people would think about the theme song from “The Flintstones” and a traditional hymn as companion pieces, but the Mays family pulled it off seamlessly the Tuesday before Easter at a Seniors and Friends of Fort Oglethorpe (SAFFO) meeting.
“The Mays Family has performed for us three times over the last seven months,” says SAFFO director Karon Parker. “This past Wednesday they first sang vintage TV theme songs, which was a hoot! The second half of the show was Christian hymns which is the Mays Family’s forte.”
The family singing group, consisting of Mom, Dad and three of their six children, opened the SAFFO meeting with songs from “The Brady Bunch,” “The Addams Family,” “Gilligan’s Island,” “Mr. Ed,” “The Beverly Hillbillies” and many other sitcoms of the 1960s and ‘70s as SAFFO members tapped their feet and sometimes sang along.
They transitioned to hymns after sharing a little about themselves and wrapped up with a song called “Because He Lives” as a celebration of Easter.
In addition to the music treat at their meeting, SAFFO members enjoyed an Easter meal of ham, deviled eggs designed to look like chicks hatching from their shells, salads, and decorated cakes and cookies.
Parker says SAFFO membership has grown by 30% over the past year. “I believe that Judy O’Neal announcing our meetings on her show and word of mouth has had this effect. We also have members who have been coming each Wednesday for over twenty years. We love making new friends, mixing up the menu a bit and just enjoying each other’s company. If we grow another 30% we’ll need to add tables and chairs but that’s a good problem to have!”
SAFFO meets every Wednesday, with the exception of a few holidays, at Constitution Hall, 201 Forrest Road, in Fort Oglethorpe. Meetings run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The group plays games, has special guest speakers and entertainment, eats a meal together and shares one another’s joys and struggles. Members of the Fort Oglethorpe Fire Department come to give free blood pressure and blood sugar tests.
Guests are welcome to drop in to visit. Membership is $5 a year. For more information, call or text Karon Parker at 423-595-7109. Or drop in and see what’s going on.