By CATHERINE LEGG / Community Columnist

“This is a wonderful place, and we have the best time. I rather be here than any place else.”

Those enthusiastic words came from Pearl Cardwell, who comes to the Montevallo Senior Center most every day.

Indeed, the seniors seem to have a great time. When you visit, you find everyone involved in a game or activity of some kind. There’s always a group playing Skip-O or Chicken Dominoes.

Others might be putting a jigsaw puzzle together; the day I visited, the puzzle was a 1,000-piece very dark and difficult one, but those tenacious seniors were making progress.

Then there’s always a group in the rocking chairs on the porch, chatting with each other, or watching the children playing on the park playground.

Those who may not feel very social on a given day might be watching television or reading a good book in the quiet comfort of the small parlor.

Often there are enjoyable programs about health and other educational issues, and on many occasions, pianist Bob Cowan, or other musicians, entertains. Wednesdays are for chair exercises led by a University of Montevallo kinesiology student, and Yoga will start again in the fall.

Recently seniors enjoyed a Saturday barbecue lunch, sponsored by the local Park and Recreation Board, where they were entertained with the lively music of Lee Wallace and the Pea Ridge Troubadours.

Another day made special for the seniors was the morning the City sent them watermelon and fruit for a delicious watermelon breakfast.

The center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. All area seniors are invited. Reservations for the nutritious lunch must be made 24 hours in advance. Donations for the lunch are appreciated, but not mandatory.

The Meals on Wheels program is handled by the Center with volunteers delivering the meals to shut-ins. There is currently a real need for additional volunteers. Call Rose at 665-9206 for information.

The Middle Alabama Area on Aging operates the Senior Services program in partnership with the city and its Parks and Recreation Board. Rose Devinner is the director of the Montevallo Center located on Vine Street in Orr Park.

Catherine Legg can be reached at clegg2@bellsouth.net.