Southwestern Union Record

Baton Rouge, La. » Some came because they had seen the invitation in the religion section of the daily newspaper, while others came because of a personal invitation.  For whatever reason, they came. It was the Berean church’s senior citizens’  “The Best Time of Your Life” community banquet, and the intended audience was the local community along with the church's seniors. The program, designed with seniors in mind, featured local safety officials and social services personnel.

Berean church member Marian Wilson began proceedings with her humorous "Senior’s Test of Intelligence." The five questions included, “What do you put in a toaster?” The audience promptly answered “toast.” Wilson was quick to counter with the answer “bread,” eliciting laughter. The remaining four questions proved as challenging.

Corporal Riley Harbor, with the Baton Rouge Police Department gave tips on what seniors need to know in order to protect themselves. At the outset of his presentation, the seniors learned that the brain is the greatest weapon in fighting crime. Harbor’s instruction began with women and how they can protect themselves in public. He borrowed one woman’s handbag and hung it carelessly on his shoulder in an effort to demonstrate how not to carry a handbag in order to protect contents.  The serious but humorous approach made for a lasting impression. Next was a “shopping trip” where instructions such as “park as near as possible to your destination, even if it means waiting until a closer parking space becomes available, and above all, be vigilant and always aware of your surroundings.” These tips prompted some experience sharing, such as having forgotten where a car was parked. Additional tips included installing a door jam and half-inch deadbolt locks that are keyed from both sides in the home, as well as always closing vertical window blinds in an upright position.    

Berean’s own herbalist, Sherman Stewart, followed with information on how to reduce and eventually end our dependence on high blood pressure medicine and other medications. “Our bodies are not designed for pills,” he said emphatically. It was then time to dine on the scrumptious dinner of mock turkey with dressing and all the trimmings, which saw many community members asking for seconds “It’s all about the preparation," said modest head cook, Doris Collins. Shirley Jones and Berean social worker Sylvia Scott rounded out the presentations with discussions on Alzheimer's disease, and exploitation of the elderly. Jones made it personal as she recounted her last years with her husband, a victim of Alzheimer's. “Many were the times when he didn’t know me, and I didn’t recognize the man I married,” she said. Scott added tips on how seniors and their family members can recognize exploitation schemes and what families can do to avoid having their loved ones become victims.  However, she cautioned, it is not uncommon for family members themselves to become the perpetrators.  At the end of the program, seniors left feeling filled, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well, thanking senior citizen coordinator Bertha Stewart for a job well done.