Rooms at Senior Center Selma named after two long-time attendees

Two rooms at the senior center at Blue Jean Church have been named in honor of two long-time attendees of the center.   

The Bessie King Chamber and the Shirley Eiland Game Room were named for two ladies who have been active at the senior center since the beginning, according to Pat Ivy, director of what is now known as Senior Center Selma. The center was named Blue Jean Senior Center because it is located at Blue Jean Church on Selma Avenue.   

Ivy said both ladies have been with the center since before it was at Blue Jean Church. In fact, Ivey said Mrs. Shirley was a part of the group that asked Judge Bob Armstrong to find a new home for the senior center because it was being closed down. Armstrong helped place it at Blue Jean Church.  

Senior Center Selma has been around for a few years in various incarnations. Although the center is based at Blue Jean Church, all seniors are invited to join the activities offered by the center. Applications to join will be accepted starting Oct. 1.  

Ivy said seniors come to the center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. “We do exercise and play games, play cards, we have puzzles and they can watch TV,” Ivey said. Lunch is provided.   

“We also do field trips about once a month,” Ivey said. “About two weeks ago we went to David’s Catfish House in Thomasville. I drove the church van. They love trips like that.” She said the next field trip will be to Moses, Alabama to the senior center there her friend runs.   

Twice a year the seniors participate in Senior Citizen Sunday. “The seniors join in with the Blue Jean Church congregation,” Ivey said. “They have lunch, they play bingo and the congregation had nice gifts for the seniors.”   

To participate, come by the center located at Blue Jean Church, 1209 Selma Ave. and ask for Ivy or her assistant Dorothea Bennett to get an application. The only requirement to join Senior Center Selma is to be 60 years old.