Tell us about your family and your accomplishments.

• I have 4 children—3 girls and 1 boy. 
• I have lived in Cedartown all my life, except when I was in the Army.
• I grew up during the depression.  That affected my schooling because we had to move a lot.  It was hard when my father lost his job.
• I went to work on a farm in Arab, Alabama when I was 14 years old.  I worked there 3 years.
• I then continued my schooling, served in the Army as a cook and had the GI Bill for school.
• In the Army I was a cook for a General, 50 officers and 50 men.  I remember preparing a dish that the General really liked.  After he said he didn’t want any more of the canned corned beef, I made rice and tomatoes from the corned beef juice and he thought that was great!
• I love cooking.  Two of my favorite recipes are Pecan Crunch and Celestial Cake.  The Celestial Cake is 4 layers with a pudding, pineapple, sour cream and whipped topping frosting.   I cook eggs in a double boiler.  They are scrambled with a little milk and are real soft.
• After my wife lost her eyesight, I taught my children how to cook.

Do you visit a senior center?

Daily, Cedartown in Polk County.

How long have you been attending the center?

12 years.

What made you start going to the center?

Fellowship.

What kinds of activities do you enjoy at the center?

The exercise—it is as important as the food.  Also I play dominos and hate and aggravation card game.  We take trips & have fund raisers.

How has the center helped you Age Well and Live Well?

It keeps you alive.

Do you volunteer at your senior center or at other community organizations?

I lead the exercise 3 mornings per week at the senior center.  I also sign the checks.  For fundraisers, I helped make the fried apple pies, we do that about twice a year.  One time, I brought in a Jackie Kennedy Doll and a Tinker Bell ornament to sell at our auctions.  Both raised money for our activities at the center.

What advice would you give to young people today on how to live a good long life?

Get in a church.  Handle money wisely, that is very important.