“Love and the golden years” was the theme enjoyed by seniors at the Greenwood Community Center during a prom sponsored by Central Mississippi Inc.
Thursday’s prom was a success in spite of inclement weather, center director Debra Adams said. She and her husband, Earnest, partnered with Kenderick Cox of CMI to host the prom. “We’re so excited to honor our beautiful senior citizen community,” Debra Adams said.
Seniors enjoyed a red and golden theme, for the “love and the golden years,” and were served beverages and light appetizers. Half of the space in the Community Center’s gym was cleared as a dance floor, and R&B tunes were played over the speakers, offering a pleasant ambience.
Dr. Pamela Gary, executive director of CMI, said she expected 25 to 50 people to show up to the prom, which required no pre-registration. “We definitely have that many,” she said, indicating the 11 six-person tables, most of which were occupied.
For her, the prom was a way for the community to give back and say thanks to its elders, but Gary also had a personal interest.
“My mom — she’s 87 — is in here, and she was so excited and anxious, she started planning her outfit a week ago,” Gary said.
She said her father died 10 years ago, and he and her mother were married for more than 50 years.
“We try to shower her in love and affection all the time,” Gary said. “But my sister’s a nurse, and I am always all over with CMI, so this is a nice way to show her love.”
Originally the prom was planned for Valentine’s Day, but CMI did not want to interfere with others who were taking their parents out to show them love.
“We decided this was better, so people who didn’t have an opportunity to get out on Valentine’s day could still be celebrated,” she said.
Some of the guests of the prom came with their spouses, and some came as friends.
Lois White and Bobbie Randle have been best friends for around 15 years, Randle said. When Randle was invited to the prom by the Adamses at the center’s community involvement fair last month, she asked White if she wanted to come along.
“I think they’re doing a terrific job, and this brings more people together and is good for the community,” Randle said.
She was echoed by her husband, the Rev. Jessie Lee Randle: “I’ve been here before and enjoyed it every time. They’re doing a good thing for the community.”
The fourth at their table, Rosi Fiffer, heard about the prom through Facebook, talked with her sister, and decided to attend based on her positive experiences with the Community Center.
- Contact Katherine Parker at 662-581-7239 or kparker@gwcommonwealth.com.
