Many attend senior center's Hoedown

Friday evening, seniors were busy dancing, listening to music, getting their photos taken or playing bingo.

All of these activities were part of the Golden Hour Senior Center's Hoedown event.

Marketing and activities coordinator Summer Holdsworth said about 50 to 60 seniors attended the event and considered it a success. However, even though attendance was good, she doesn't necessarily consider it a success based on the attendance.

"It didn't matter if we have five or 500, if they are having a blast," Holdsworth said. "When we have these activities it really gives them something to look forward to."

This year, the center even gave seniors the opportunity to have a ride to and from the event for those who didn't have one. Holdsworth said with no public busses running at night, some of the seniors didn't have a way to get to the event.

"We didn't want them to be sad," Holdsworth said. "Come heck or high water, I'm going to get you here."

During the event, Holdsworth encouraged seniors to have their photos taken at the Hillbilly corner, which was decorated with straw bales, leaves, and an autumn poster. This photo booth also had props, including cowboy hats, a frying pan and stick horses. Holdsworth said she was going to print off the photos for the seniors who wanted them; and put some of the photos on the center's Facebook page.

"I want people to remember and have a good time," she said.

Before the dancing, the seniors enjoyed a delicious dinner, which included chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob and apple pie for dessert.

"I've been excited all stinking week," she said.

Holdsworth said the seniors were thrilled when they heard who the band playing the Hoedown was going to be. A group from Evanston called "The Late Boomers" is one of the senior's favorite bands. Some of the attendees came just to hear the group play.

Those who didn't have a dance partner or wanted to play bingo instead, went to the game room for that. About 10 seniors were in there waiting patiently for their latter and number combination to be called.

"I'm pretty satisfied with how everything went," she said.