Seniors treated to a rocking good time at annual Senior Day in New Albany MS
Seniors were treated to great food, fellowship and entertainment at Senior Citizens Day. Plus, safety tips and info on free safety programs from the Sheriff’s Department and New Albany Fire Department.
by Kim Davis
Click here to see the video report from the Senior Citizens Day!
On July 9, over 200 seniors gathered at the fairgrounds for annual Senior Citizens Day celebrations, a cherished tradition dating back to 1940. The program ran from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm and was packed with fellowship, food, and fantastic entertainment. Attendees enjoyed a program with uplifting gospel music and a Bible reading. Several notable community figures addressed the crowd, including Sheriff Jimmy Edwards, Fire Chief Mark Whiteside, among other guests speakers. Sheriff Edwards and Fire Chief Whiteside shared senior safety tips and programs offered by their departments to help keep our seniors safe (more info on that below).
One of the day’s highlights was the provided lunch. Seniors feasted on a Bar-B-Q plate with all the fixings, rounded out with a cookie for dessert. The main attraction, however, was undoubtedly Drew Horn, the Elvis tribute artist who captivated the crowd with a dynamic 45-min performance. His energetic renditions of Elvis classics had attendees tapping their feet and singing along, creating a truly memorable experience.
The enduring success of Senior Day, with its consistently strong turnout and vibrant atmosphere, continues to be a testament to the community’s dedication to its senior citizens.
Sheriff’s Department, Fire Department share safety tips and their free programs to keep seniors safe!
Sheriff Edwards told attendees about a Sheriff’s Dept. program that will call seniors once a day to check on their welfare. Seniors and their family members who want extra peace of mind can sign up for this service at the Sheriff’s Department and select what time they’d like to be called each day. Project Lifesaver, another free program offered by the Sheriff’s Department, provides bracelets with tracking devices for seniors or people of any age who may be prone to wandering off to help authorities to locate them quickly
Chief Deputy Baron Baker shared tips on how to avoid falling victim to scams, whether they be over the phone or email or other electronic communication. Baker warned seniors not to give any sensitive information to anyone contacting them with unsolicited communications. Scammers can mimic communications from banks or credit card services. Baker told attendees to contact the Sheriff’s office if they think they have fallen victim to such a scam.
Fire Chief Mark Whiteside shared home safety tips for seniors. He reminded folks who may not be aware that firefighters are medically trained and often will be the first to show up at your home when you have a medical emergency. The Chief also spoke about fall risks for seniors. Staying physically active can decrease your fall risk, as can handrails and good lighting. Dangers to be mindful of are area rugs that can trip you up and slick floors
Chief Whiteside also reminded attendees that NAFD will install smoke alarms in your home on request. He also mentioned alert systems available that will vibrate your bed to wake you if a fire breaks out in your home while you are asleep.
Our public servants and health workers are dedicated to keeping our seniors safe and living their best life!
