Crowds flock to Senior Connection variety show

Published 5:40 pm Thursday, September 25, 2014

Crystal Russell performs her "Grocery Store Testimony" at Senior Connection's fourth annual variety show Thursday.

Crystal Russell performs her “Grocery Store Testimony” at Senior Connection’s fourth annual variety show Thursday.

More than 150 people attended Chilton County Senior Connection’s fourth annual variety show Thursday morning.

This year’s show was the first to be held in the group’s new facility at Park Plaza.

“It’s just wonderful,” Senior Connection Coordinator Vanessa McKinney said. “It makes me want to cry.”

Emcee Doris Jones welcomed guests, introduced performers and thanked Senior Connection members and Clanton city leaders and law enforcement for helping to make the group’s move to the new facility a reality.

“Everyone in this organization has been contributing in some way,” Jones said.

Jones encouraged adults 55 years and older in attendance to join Senior Connection if they were interested.

“In order to be a member of this organization, you pay $20 and say, ‘I want to be a member,’” Jones said. “We have a good time. We exercise, we go on trips, we eat and we have really had some fabulous trips.”

The Rev. Rob West, pastor at Clanton First United Methodist Church—the variety show’s previous location—gave the prayer and blessing of the food.

“We’re sorry that we’ve lost you at First United Methodist Church, but it looks like you need a bigger parking lot,” West said. “We’re glad to see that.”

Crystal Russell performed a “Grocery Store Testimony” in which her character Claudine Louise showed the audience different items she had in her grocery cart and used the brand names to describe her life as a Christian.

The Perfect Peach Line Dancers performed several dances.

Brannon Burnett sang “God Bless the U.S.A.”

Attendees enjoyed lunch provided by The Store, Dari Delight, Kountry Kitchen, Connie Bainbridge, Winn Dixie, Clara’s Café, Walmart, Sav Mor Foods, Tammy’s Catering, Personnal Appearance Catering and Hickory Chip.

Proceeds from ticket sales will go to Senior Connection’s building fund to help cover ongoing renovation expenses for the new facility.