Gravette mayor proclaims Older Americans Month
GRAVETTE — Kurt Maddox, Gravette mayor, signed a proclamation last week declaring May as Older Americans Month. Mary Kay Kelley, director of the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity and Wellness Center, was present at the mayor’s office for the signing ceremony. The theme of the Older Americans Month this year is “Blaze a Trail” and the proclamation read in part, “The Billy V. Hall Senior Activity and Wellness Center recognizes that older adults are trailblazers — advocating for themselves, their peers and their communities — paving the way for future generations.”
The proclamation recognized the Center for its popular Meals on Wheels program which provides about 80 nutritious meals a day to seniors throughout the area, allowing many to stay in their own homes and maintain their independence much longer than they might have without the home-delivered meals. Many senior citizens also take advantage of the meals served at the Center, coming out to eat and engage in the many opportunities to socialize with their peers. These activities include yoga, organized walks, Mexican train dominoes, Wii bowling and musical programs. An adult coloring activity has recently been added to the calendar and meets each Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the public library. The library bookmobile visits the Center each Monday at 11 a.m., and free blood pressure tests are provided on the fourth Monday of each month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
The Senior Center van provides transportation for weekly shopping trips in town, and a shopping trip out of town is scheduled once a month. An evening out at an area restaurant is also a monthly activity.
Special activities are planned the week of May 16-20 to celebrate Older Americans Month. They will be held each day at 11 a.m. Susie Davis, from Ozarks Community Hospital, will speak on Monday. Dr. Ty Russell, owner of the Gravette chiropractic clinic, will speak on Tuesday. Firstgraders from Ms. Martin’s class at Glenn Duffy Elementary School will come and read to the seniors on Wednesday. Patrick Hall, Gravette business director, will provide musical entertainment on Thursday; and Kurt Maddox, Gravette mayor, will speak on Friday.
Maddox concluded his proclamation by saying, “I urge every resident to take time this month to acknowledge older adults and the people who serve them as powerful and vital individuals who greatly contribute to our community.”