Elba AARP Monthly Dinner Meeting

Allene Lee, Jeanette and Jim DeShepper,
Bob and Syble Hahn - 2008 Officers

Last night was our monthly AARP covered dish dinner and meeting in Elba at the Senior Center on the town square. Jim and I have been members of this group since 1996 when we moved to Alabama. We joined to get acquainted with people our age and I can say we have met a lot of nice people over the years. When we joined, many were older and they have since gone on to meet their Maker. We were only 62 and probably the youngest members at that time. Now, at age 74, we are among some of the older group.

Over the years Jim and I have both served as President and held most of the other offices. I have prepared the yearbook for the past several years since nobody else knows how to use the computer well enough to do this. 

Party at Nursing Home

When James turned 50, we told him he could join AARP and go to the meetings with us. At first he resisted, but now he enjoys going and seeing everybody. It's difficult to find a sitter in the evenings to stay with James. Our meetings only last for one hour (6-7 pm). He gets home in time to watch his baseball games.

Over the years we have accomplished a lot of group projects. Every May we have a bingo party at the Elba Nursing Home with refreshments and nice prizes.
At least once a year, we invite our local state representative and senator to come give us an update. Pictured here: Rep. Terry Spicer, with Program Chairman Jean Moore on the left and President Jim Gilmer on the right.

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, we go all out and have turkey and dressing for Thanksgiving and a big baked ham for Christmas. Many of the members live alone and we want to have a good holiday meal. We enjoy a lot of good homemade dishes. Always a lot of good desserts and in the summer, a bounty of fresh vegetables. It's the best kept secret in Elba! Then following the meal, we have short programs; sometimes informative, and other times just fun stuff. In August we always go out to eat as a group.

We have both participated in AARP sponsored programs including teaching the Driving Classes and working for 8 years as AARP Tax Aide Volunteers, preparing income taxes.

And of course we have our AARP member cards that we use to get discounts at hotels and other places. We also enjoy the montly magazines and newspapers we get from AARP.

Where else can you belong to such a fun organization for $2 (dues) a year?