Seniors Breakfast-n-Blues Festival 2007
Ernest Sanders
Published: February 23, 2007
Johnny Drummer and the Starlighters perform one of their famous hits, "If You Going to Walk on My Love, Please Take Off Your Shoes."
Ernest Sanders
As the seniors entered the Thurgood Marshall Library, they greeted each other with such love and compassion, that the winter elements outside were insignificant to the anticipated good time to take place today. A hot breakfast, live band performance by Johnny Drummer and the Starlighters, and portraits by Sketch Artist, Dan Montrell, were the featured events GADC lined-up for the seniors.
Nodisha Echols of OES Adah Chapter 637 graciously serves a senior hot breakfast.
Ernest Sanders
As more seniors entered and settled, a word of prayer was offered as the aroma of breakfast foods filled the room. Prepared and served by OES Adah Chapter 637 volunteers, seniors feasted on a delicious hot meal to include white rice, hash browns, scrambled eggs, turkey bacon & sausage, biscuits and pastries. Also hot coffee, cranberry & orange juice was served as the beverages. “This meal and music are really good,” said senior Mrs. Juanita Love.
Once their stomachs were full, seniors had a choice of listening to the music of Johnny Drummer and the Starlighters, having their portraits sketched by Dan Montrell, or just sitting back and allowing their food to digest. But sitting was rather difficult as Drummer and his group performed such favorites as 'Shake a Hand, Make a Friend', ‘If You Going to Walk on My Love, Please Take Off My Shoes’, ‘I'm Gonna Sell My Cadillac and Buy Myself a Mule’, and ‘Rockin in the Juke Joint’.
Even at ninety-seven years old, Ms. Otonie Griffin can still groove to the sound of Johnny Drummer and the Starlighters.
Ernest Sanders
Some seniors were more actively engaged in the music as a group of them from a nearby senior home began to “line dance.” The line dancing and music was especially entertaining and grabbed the attention of everyone including ninety-seven year old Otonie Griffin (a long time Englewood resident), Ms Willie Mae Williams (a fourth time returning senior who is said to have moves similar to those performers on “Dancing with the Stars), and a host of others.
Some seniors took time away from dancing and decided to vote early for the city of Chicago mayoral, aldermanic, city clerk, and treasurer candidate of their choice. The process was fairly simple and enabled voters to electronically select their candidates.
Line dancing was one of the many activities seniors enjoyed at GADC's 4th Senior Breakfast-n-Blues Festival.
Ernest Sanders
According to senior Ms.Vernice Ross, “The best part about voting early here at the library is the easy use of these machines, the convenience for us seniors, and the amount of time it took for me to vote.” Ms. Ross’ statement was no surprise as many seniors said it took them just a few minutes.
In fact, Linda Johnson (GADC Business & Project Manager) and I followed their examples and found our experiences to be similar. We completed our ballots in less than one minute.
A few seniors take advantage of the early voting opportunities at the library.
Ernest Sanders
GADC’s NCP Director, Cheryl Johnson, reminded seniors of several initiatives GADC has engaged itself on their behalf. They included GADC’s plans to purchase and rehab a building to include many energy efficient technologies for commercial and residential use. The purchase of this building was also intended to revitalize the economic viability of Auburn Gresham.
Additionally, Linda Johnson informed seniors of the new Senior Suites of Auburn Gresham apartment homes to be completed this fall. GADC board member and senior, Betty Swanson, also took time to encourage the seniors about the great things happening in Auburn Gresham.
City of Chicago’s Department of Aging, Michael Johnson informed the seniors of many programs available to them through his office and presented each senior with a complementary gift – a letter opener. CAPS Cora Hudik told seniors about CAPS initiatives to make the 6th District and surrounding communities safer and a great place for seniors to reside.
Librarian Jan Brooks gives instruction to one of his team members on how to assist GADC with the Senior Breakfast-n-Blues Festival.
Ernest Sanders
By the end of the event, over 35 seniors decided to participate in the early voting and many continued to rave about the delicious breakfast. Several even asked about the line dancing and where to take lessons. Thurgood Marshall Librarian, Jan Brooks offered the seniors to return to the library and watch an instruction video of line dancing he has on file in the library.
Whatever the seniors choice of activity, this remarkable day would not have been successful without the help of so many volunteers and participants. They include the Chicago Public Library (Thurgood Marshall Branch), City of Chicago Board of Elections, City of Chicago Department of Aging, approximately 15 members of OES – Adah Chapter 637, Novella Morris (Hirsh High School Student), and Rudelle Stanley Lesley (RSL Landscaping/Snow Removal and Transportation Services).
OES Adah Chapter 637 takes a picture with GADC and other volunteers.
Ernest Sanders