Wednesday, May 2, 2001

Azalea Estates second anniversary fest a big hit

Azalea Estates Assisting Living and Retirement Community celebrated its two-year anniversary April 21.

The festivities began early in the morning with an open swim for children. Many of the residents left their doors open to show off their suites to guests for the open house. All of the residents, their loved ones and guests were served hot dogs and hamburgers grilled outside, and an anniversary cake followed for dessert.

Azalea Estates' performing group, The Harmonizers, performed many of their old favorite songs, including, "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows," "While Strolling Thru the Park One Day," and "Mairzy Doats."

One of the residents of Azalea Estates, 78-year-old Flower Stimson, wrote a skit entitled "Azalea Estates Hangs in the Balance" to be performed by the Azalea Estates drama team at the celebration. The play was about a petition made by Azalea Estates to continue in operation for another year.

The audience laughed as the defense attorney and prosecutor stated their cases. The colorful cast included a judge wearing long red underwear under his robe, three witnesses, and a timid bailiff who shuffled across the stage like Tim Conway.

The bailiff made it a little difficult for the jury spokesman to read the verdict because the spokesman could not help but laugh at his fellow cast member. Although Marshall Gill, executive director of Azalea Estates, was found guilty during the mock trial on charges of hoarding all the senior citizens in Fayette County, Azalea Estates will continue to provide a safe and loving environment for senior citizens. The laughter grew louder as Flower Stimson placed a pie on Gill's head just before her daughter handcuffed him.

Appropriately, the two-year anniversary celebration of Azalea Estates also marked the end of its two-month fundraiser for the March of Dimes. Money was raised through a yard sale, the sale of candy bars and paper shoes, and weekly walks where the residents raised money through the support of their friends and family.

Awards were given out to the two walkers with the highest attendance over the two-month period: 92-year-old Hazel Walker and 93-year-old Gertrude Gilbert. Bob Hanley, 88, received the award for the most encouraging walker. Sponsorship was based on attendance.

To conclude the day, Tracy Coker, executive coordinator of support services for Fayette Community Hospital and chairman of the Fayette County March of Dimes campaign, spoke briefly to everyone about Walk America and the March of Dimes. He accepted a check from Azalea Estates on behalf of the March of Dimes in the amount of $2,700.