What fun to speak a few weeks ago to the Scenic City Friends. On that third Thursday of the month, the Friends filled a meeting room at Fernando’s Restaurant in East Ridge. It was obvious that members were thrilled to be with their friends. Listening to them tell their stories as we ate lunch, it also was clear that senior culture is part of Chattanooga’s history. The city has benefited from the careers and community efforts of many group members. Some came here to work, and others have held jobs here for most of their lives.
The group was formed in 2003 as an organization for older folks who want to network with people who have common interests. It’s a nonprofit, volunteer organization for Parkridge Medical Center, providing monthly lunch dates and a variety of road trips for senior citizens. The group also donates money and supplies to local schools, the Salvation Army, Chattanooga Food Bank and other organizations in the Chattanooga community.
I was impressed by how many of them had overcome serious obstacles over the years. Whether it was related to their health, their families or their work, the challenges were often dramatic and sometimes hard to speak about. Some had worked hard to get themselves an education. Many had lost loved ones over the years and struggled with their own well-being. Group members definitely tuned into the topic of my presentation: “The Art of Resilience.”
The lively display of friendship was even more impressive. Many of them had known each other for decades. Some knew each other from the fitness classes at the East Ridge Senior Center. The seniors expand their friendships with group trips. They’ve gone to New York City, Washington, D.C., Toronto, Orlando, Branson, Missouri, New Orleans and are planning more. They’ve gone to Harrah’s Casino in North Carolina and the Hummingbird Festival in Georgia. I was fascinated to hear their travel coordinator make an announcement for a group bus trip to see the Carole King musical, “Beautiful,” at the Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville. Hmm … I’ve often been told that I look like Carole King. Maybe I should go check it out.
Carole King, one of our most successful female songwriters, is now 82 years old. As our country’s population ages, the percentage of women making up the senior citizen category increases. So it makes sense that the majority of the Scenic City Friends were women. It was like speaking to a group of sisters that I never had. My role as a speaker for these folks was like being welcomed into a small village with a friendliness that is all too rare these days.
Later, when I talked with administrators of the Glenwood Community Center, our city’s official senior center, I wasn’t surprised to discover that 90% of the people they serve are women. I’m delighted that our city has programs and centers that honor our senior citizens and that so many women are taking advantage of them. They are nurturing each other, their families and the community.
Younger folks might dislike Southern Living magazine naming Chattanooga the best city for retirees. But the growth of our senior culture can be a real asset. In addition to the valuable relationships, seniors spend money, generate tax revenue, support social causes, and create consumer demand for goods and services, stimulating job growth. So let’s expand our senior culture. There’s much to gain for us all.
Contact Deborah Levine, an author, trainer/coach and editor of the American Diversity Report, at Deborah@AmericanDiversity Report.com.